RSS Feeds 101

RSS feeds are one of the most useful features to come out of the internet in recent years. Once you start using them, you'll wonder how you ever managed without! RSS feeds save time and effort, and best of all, are easily customizable to filter the exact content that you want.

What is an RSS feed?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and is used to describe the technology used in creating feeds. A feed, also known as RSS feed, XML feed, syndicated content or web feed, is frequently updated content published by a website. It is usually used for news and blog websites, but can also be used for distributing other types of digital content, including pictures, audio or video.

How do I subscribe to and manage my feeds?
Subscribing to feeds is simple, just as the name implies! While there are a multitude of options for doing so, you can always depend on looking for this little icon: , which is the universal button for RSS feeds. Internet Explorer users can look to the top right of their window to see the button, which turns orange to alert you when a feed is available. In Mozilla Firefox the icon automatically appears in the address bar to the right of the website address whenever there is content to subscribe to on a page. If you are using Firefox you also have the option to download various feed reader add-ons for true customization. Of course, a lot of frequently updated pages will offer their very own to click on. Pssst...for an example of this check our sidebar on the right, where it says Connect & Subscribe. You can also use a stand-alone feed reader that isn't connected to your browser. One of the most popular and user-friendly options is Google Reader. Anyone who already has a Google/Gmail account automatically has access to Google Reader, but don't worry if you don't - creating a Google account is fast and easy and opens the door to a lot of other useful web services!

Why should I use feeds at the SERC Library?
Well, we know you love our blog, so subscribing to updates here will surely be nice, but we think you'll really love subscribing to searches in our catalog. That's right...whenever you conduct a search in Iluminar, you'll notice an RSS feed button appear at the top of the page, which will enable you to subscribe to that search. That means that if you add a feed for the topic "math", whenever we catalog new materials with that subject heading they will automatically be sent to your feed reader. You can do the same thing in our journal databases. You'll still have to come to the Library to access the content itself, but a list of new articles on your topic will be conveniently compiled for you. Now that's helpful!

Still confused? Next time you're in the Library ask for Diana, our RSS Queen, or Megan, our resident tech guru, who will be happy to assist you. Just another friendly service from the gang at the SERC Library!