Blogging as a tool: innovative approaches to information access

Library Hi Tech News, 22(9): pp. 28-32. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/07419050510640512Blogs and RSS (Real Simple Syndication/Rich Site Summary) feeds and their applications in libraries are increasing exponentially. These applications range from current awareness type of settings in keeping up-to-date with new information, table of contents alerts of journal articles, feeds based on a research query in electronic databases, and news alerts from different subject areas. Other library related use of blogs and RSS feeds may include availability of new books based on selected keywords, feeds based on new subject guides, creating simple blog entries for course related information, and announcing library related events. This paper provides information on these applications and recommendations on how they can be implemented in any library setting. A particular emphasis on the Engineering Resources blog created for the College of Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems is to highlight a variety of resources and new publications in the field.. Future directions and visions of how blogs and RSS can be used in academic library settings are discussed