Librarians who want their patrons to understand and use RSS could follow medical librarian David Rothman’s example. After consultation with the head of surgery of his hospital, Rothman set up a customized Google Reader account and sent an email to the surgeon explaining how to use it. The surgeon was able to start using and seeing the benefits of RSS immediately. Rothman then approached the Vice President of Medical Affairs to help him set up an account, which was received enthusiastically. Judging entirely by their job titles, it seems likely that these two patrons were influential leaders in the hospital culture, and likely to spread the word about the great new service the library was providing—good choices for this handpicking approach to promoting RSS.
Librarians in other settings such as large public libraries are likely to be unable to spend an hour consulting with a single individual as Rothman did. But many public libraries offer computer training for patrons, and could certainly offer a class on using RSS feeds, including those provided by the library for new materials or database searches. Librarians doing any sort of outreach to community groups such as a local historical society, senior center, or high school could include demonstrations of RSS tailored to fit the interests of the group. For any of us, seeing something that looks just like what we’d like to have (or a near-miss that inspires us to think of new possibilities) is a much better motivator for trying something new than a dry description.
Finally, libraries with a blog presence could certainly include posts about RSS--new feeds the library has set up, feeds the library is subscribing to from other sources, and stories about how one patron or another has begun using RSS and enjoying the benefits.
Jeanine, I liked your idea about libraries including posts about RSS. It makes sense that a library could help their patrons understand the benefits of RSS right on their site. Perhaps in a libguide type of environment, there could be a suggestion/advice box that would include a blurb on RSS feeds and subscriptions.
ReplyDeleteThe more ways we try to communicate, the better I think. We never know which approach might resonate for someone who never paid attention before.
ReplyDeleteI agree that how Rothman brought RSS to hospital staff was great! However, like you said most librarians probably aren't going to have the time to sit down with each staff member and tailor their feeds. One other option besides teaching a class would be to create a screencast. Here you could spend 30 minutes going through all the steps and explaining how everything works in video form. The video could then be published to your website or distributed to staff. Could be a neat way to get the information out there and allow patrons and staff to view when their time permits.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Erin. Brian suggested the same thing on Kaleedah’s blog (), and he also posted a link to a Common Craft video That's a great idea, Erin. Brian suggested the same thing on Kaleedah’s blog (http://doubtingthomas21.blogspot.com/2011/02/marketing-libraries-rss.html), and he also posted a link to a Common Craft video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU) on YouTube. Making a screencast specific to one’s own library and patrons’ needs would be great, when possible. Finding and linking to someone else’s work might be better for small libraries, with no resources for teaching classes or creating videos.
ReplyDeleteAack! Sorry about the extra words in my prior comment--I even previewed it before posting!
ReplyDelete