Library Web Chic

SIRSI and RSS

Like many folks last week I was really excited when Jenny posted about
SIRSI's offering RSS feeds out of the catalog. The of idea that a
library vendor is catching on to this idea is very hopeful. However,
like Dave
I am still a wee bit skeptical. The idea that this may have to be an
add-on with an added cost is at best annoying. Part of me asks “don't
we pay enough for these systems already that we should get this
included?” Additionally, I want to know how this will fit into my
existing library website. Many libraries have developed sophisticated
home-grown or puchased content management systems for their websites.
How much time will libraries have to invest to in integrating these
potential new offering into their site? If these new offering can be
integrated at all.

Part of me feels like the last thing any library needs right now is
any system that makes the job of creating a cohensive online presence
more difficult. We have enough of this going on already with the ILS,
Interlibrary Loan, OpenURL resolver, databases, etc. I suppose that is
one reason that I am still working on the RSS problem from the XML/API
angle. That and our LMS vendor doesn't offer them built in. I don't
want to sound like I am throwing cold water on this announcement
though. It is a HUGE step forward. However, like any library
application, individual libraries will need to examine what the exact
impact on them will be.