Thing 3 (yes, I'm working in random order)

I've used RSS feeds a little in the past, but today was my first time with Google Reader.

In my E-mail
My first experience with alerts/feeds was from the Academic Search Complete database. I created a search alert. Every two weeks, I get an e-mail to my designated address which lists new articles which match the search terms I had been using. The database also allows for a journal alert which e-mails me when a new issue of a specific journal is indexed into the database.

When my school recently updated our Outlook version, there was an RSS folder which magically appeared in my list of folders. When I found a website, blog, etc., for which I wanted to read updates, clicking on the RSS symbol and another little button sent update notifications right to my RSS folder.

Google Reader over Outlook RSS Folder
The downside of using feeds and RSS in connection with my Outlook e-mail is obvious. When I'm away from work computer, I have to resort to checking my favorite sites one at a time.

On the other hand, I like that I can see if I've received RSS notices as soon as I've opened up Outlook. I don't have to log into Google Reader first in order to check for notifications.

Applications
I can see all sorts of professional applications for alerts and RSS feeds when it comes to professional publications, such as in databases or online. (I'm notified of the newest articles about plagiarism in Academic Search Complete, for example. Then I can use those current events as examples in my presentations.)

I'm not sure if I'll subscribe to many blogs. My pile of professional development reading from scholarly sources is all ready overwhelming, and I have to prioritize where I devote my reading time. Blogs can provide an avenue for sharing ideas, venting frustrations, providing humor, and so on. But just my brief time exploring library-related blogs showed me that I'll have to subscribe carefully. (I also struggle with reading for understanding when I'm reading from a computer screen. Maybe that's why I skipped over Thing 2!)

So how can a library utilize RSS feeds? If a library or librarian has a web page or blog, patrons could subscribe to the RSS feed to stay apprised of the latest library news. Instructional librarians could blog or post tutorials, similar to what Common Craft does, and students and instructors could subscribe.