RSS -- sssssssss

I have to confess, I did not complete the assignment by actually setting up an RSS aggregator and attaching feeds for two reasons -- I didn't have the time and I didn't want another thing out there that I wasn't going to use with my name and account on it. I did, however, look at Topix.net and Syndic8. I preferred Syndic8 to Topix; Topix tried to "help" me more than I wanted and I wasn't successful in searching it. Syndic8 was easier to just dive in and use.

So instead of actually setting up an RSS feed, I'll just talk about their usefulness in institutions. They can be a great tool for pushing information to your patron (and thus reminding them of you) -- provided you have pertinent information that is updated frequently. News organizations are making heavy use of RSS feeds. For Libraries and Museums, the most common use appears to be for regularly updated lists (new materials, exhibit schedules, press release items, etc.) However, this information has to be useful and timely (i.e. updated at least weekly) or you'll become irrelevant to your user. But if you have such information, RSS feeds can be a very useful tool in reaching your audiences.