1. Creating a Legal Current Awareness Service
- Using RSS
Charlotte Gill
16 July 2009 1

2. Outline
• Email vs RSS
• Getting started on RSS
• Packaging RSS as a service
• Testing
• Marketing
• Implementation
• Final notes
• Q &A
16 July 2009 © Charlotte Gill 2

3. Email Alerts
You Have Mail!
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4. Problems with e-mail alerts
• Clogs up inbox
• No privacy
• Impossible to
unsubscribe
• Irrelevant/duplicated
information
• Time consuming
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5. Problems with e-mail as a
current awareness tool
• Pleasing everyone
• Time intensive
• Labour intensive
• Cost intensive
• Ignored emails
=> high investment and low return
16 July 2009 © Charlotte Gill 5

6. What do we want in a CA Service?
From Client Perspective: From Library’s perspective:
• Timely • Same as the client
• Customised • Sustainable
• Doesn’t clog inbox • Free
• Free • Ability to repackage
• Easy to use content
• Accessible
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7. Solution: RSS
Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
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8. What is RSS?
http://www.thinkartificial.org/web/how-to-make-the-most-of-rss-feeds-redux/
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9. Key Benefits of RSS
• Easy to use – Set it up in three steps.
• More content – Receive the table of contents for the
latest journals, updates on new books published,
updates from your favourite blogs, news, recent
judgments & legislation, database tips, podcasts,etc
• Customised – Choose content you are interested in.
• Currency – Updated daily
• Flexible – Choose what you want to read and when
you want to read it.
• Save your inbox - Won’t clog up your email inbox!
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10. How do I use RSS?
Need an RSS Reader:
• Web- based
– Google Reader
• Desktop –based
– FeedReader
– Newz Crawler
– Outlook 2007
– Internet Explorer 7
• Mobile device based
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11. Demo Google Reader
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12. Getting Started on RSS
http://lawlibrarians.pbworks.com/RSS
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15. Packaged RSS as a service to Law Faculty
•Collated list of relevant RSS feeds
•Made them easily accessible
http://smulawlib.pbworks.com/Current-Awareness-Service
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16. Launch
• Announced new service
• Invitation to demo (30 mins)
– Asked clients to fill in user needs form
(research/practice areas, jurisdictions, journals,
websites, blogs, etc)
– Collected feedback on service
• Followed up with individual consultation
sessions to set up RSS feeds.
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17. Used feedback to improve service
• Created core set of RSS feeds for quick
set up.
• Identified more resources
• Researched other modes of reading RSS
feeds. (e.g. Outlook)
• Found ways to avoid additional login ID &
PW requirements.
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18. Testing
• Tested different RSS readers
– Web based -Google Reader
– Desktop based–Outlook
• Tested using different browsers
– IE 7
– Firefox
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19. RSS in Outlook
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20. RSS in Outlook
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21. Marketing
• Email
• Demo sessions
• Online instructions (Wiki page)
• One-to-one consultations
• Door-to-door
• Word of mouth
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22. Implementation - Summary
2. Gather client information needs
– Form/ Interviews
– Practice areas
– Research areas
– Teaching areas
– Working style
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23. Implementation - Summary
2. Identify different delivery options
– web reader
– desktop application
– email
– browser
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24. Implementation - Summary
1. Create list of RSS feeds
2. Identify core set of feeds for importing
3. Launch the service to a small group first
4. Review feedback
5. Refine service and launch to other clients
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25. Implementation - Summary
2. Marketing
3. Demo
4. One-to-one consultations
5. Update clients on new RSS feeds in
their subject area
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26. Where is the value add?
Customisation
• Identification, location and organisation of
the relevant RSS feeds
• Identification of the best delivery tool for
clients
• Making it simple and easy
• Providing assistance setting up
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27. Final notes
• Start using it yourself
• Speak to your clients and gather
information
• Work with your IT dept
• Test the service on willing partners
• Repackage and customise
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28. Next Steps…
Deliver your content via RSS using blogs or wikis
E.g.
-New RSS feeds
-New Arrivals
-Search tips
-New information resources
-Events
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29. Create portals
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30. igoogle
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31. Q&A
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