RSS Could there be a more positive side to this application?

I came across a Library in the ACT, the New Gungahlin Library, using a 'Gadget' on their home page that led me to believe it allowed you to specifically target what you want in your feed. Or at least narrow it down to a Blog or eNewsletter. I've been complaining about there not been anything like this for ages. Maybe Australia is setting the pace? It is the first website Ive seen using anything like it! But alas no...just a gadget lookalike. In fact when you click on either one of them it is a link to 'Libraries ACT Blog' and their eNewsletter subscription page. Got my hopes up for nothing!

You never know, one day in the near future you may even be able to narrow it further by subject category. To begin with maybe not too specific...

Web 2.0, Digital Conservation, Book Binding, Book Restoration. 

Or if you really wanted to dream... 
Digital Conservation of 1912 photographs, Book Binding in the 19th Century or repairing torn pages.

Having my curiosity peaked I did some research on Blogger and they don't have anything new that is remotely like it.  Although they are experimenting with some new features, that we are able to take part in. 

Seems Blogger is having one of it's 'glitches' on me! Rotten thing is putting line spacing in where ever it feels like today as well showing Confessions of a Curator having her last post three years ago! Where in fact it was only two days ago. Nothing I do will change either problem - I've tried for hours!

RSS Feeds

Ahhh....a new day, a new Web 2.0 device.

This one I'm particularly keen to reacquaint myself with and engage more fully in. Especially when, to quote a friend...."As the radius of knowledge extends, the circumference of ignorance increases"... What better way to keep up to date with emerging technologies and ideas within your subject of choice! An instant learning tool, delivering information direct to you - what more could a 'Life Long Learner' want?

                                              REALLY  SIMPLE  SYNDICATION

Right; here I go. Time to use all my newly found (and some tried and true) searching skills. My aim is to find at least ten websites with RSS Feeds related to anything conservation or preservation within the Library industry. I start well and then WOE IS ME three hours later and I am having no luck....

Not that I can't find anything interesting or any sites that I wouldn't want to subscribe to. Quite the contrary. I find quite a few. However...none with RSS Feeds! Twitter, Facebook, Email subscription and Flickr. On the other side of the coin those that did have the option only gave it for the entire website - not specifically for the information you would really like or...they are no longer publishing their Blog!

So much for Really Simple Syndication! More like Really Stumped Syndication.

Maybe people in Australia are so involved in 'conserving and preserving' they are still live in that era and either don't want to share their skills or haven't got the time.

Along the way I came across this article from one of the RSS Feeds I subscribed to Rare Book News, which really appealed to me. Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Library or culture center? I didn't subscribe to their feed but I'm sure I'll save it to my Delicious account further down the track. Along with all the other sites I came across that didn't have feeds.

Confessions of a Curator is an 'interesting' blog I subscribed to using RSS Feed. Not only does it cover the obvious it also shows that people in this profession are well, very diverse in their likes - most certainly not got their heads stuck in the past! The feeds I am receiving are testament to this. Yes, quite diverse. Do not expect everything to be associated entirely with being a Curator of all things traditionally 'old museum'. Be prepared to be open minded and expect a large variety of feeds from this blog.

The author Lynne M. Thomas states her credentials as "...the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University, a teaching and research collection with a special emphasis on American popular culture materials from the 19th and 20th centuries" and is the co-author of a book titled Special Collections 2.0.

Even though Confessions of a Curator is a 'personal' blog written by a professional Curator it is up to date and covers a variety of issues, I found it to be trustworthy as she supplies all of her contact details via a link to the University's Library home page as well as links to many other authoritative blogs and websites including the Rare Books and Special Collections home page.

Although once again, this is not an Australian blog, I find the feeds interesting and topical.

Thomas Lynne M. (n.d.). Confessions of a Curator. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://niurarebooks.blogspot.com/


Speaking of Australian content; I did subscribe to National Archives of Australia and discovered they have been awarded the 2011 UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World prize for innovation in preserving digital records and heritage documents.

As I am winding up this post I receive an email from Amy with a link to the National Library of Australia's  'Behind the scenes' blog, which can be found by going to their Preservation page.
 I'll admit I wasn't sure when I saw it. The design is very clinical and certainly doesn't invite you to stay, but I gave it a go and so far I'm loving the posts I read (even held my breath with one of them). Needless to say I am now a subscriber and look forward to what gems the feed will bring. Could be the favourite find so far...and I didn't even find it!

Ten RSS Feeds may have been my goal, but honestly I'm glad - at this point, I didn't find that many. How am I going to find the time to read what I have already subscribed to?         Any more would be a nightmare!