The HAPLR are here. I decided to take a look at how well the list’s web presences match up to their service ratings. While there are some outstanding examples out there, I am concerned about how the library world is using that orange RSS/XML icon. While I won’t name names, I do have some screen shots to share.

Each of these links go to pages that do not have feeds. From what I can tell, the RSS feed is for the program calendar. Anyone see a link to that here?

The top link leads you to an excellent page about what is RSS and how to use it.The next 2 links take you directly to the XML file. I could not find a link to a corresponding web page anywhere. Is the only way to get this content though a feed reader? Are the 91% of web users that don’t know was RSS is denied this content?

I found this in the footer. RSS Feed links to an information page about RSS and the library’s blog. The XML button links directly to the library blog’s feed. However, from what I can tell (the site isn’t mac friendly), the only mention of the library’s blog is on the RSS Feed page. Once again, is the 9% in the know the only ones with access to this content?

Here’s another box of links to feeds. I did finally find the corresponding pages, which have some pretty neat rating and commenting features included. They also have a much more logical placement of that orange icon.

Now I know what I’m getting when I click that orange icon.

I also saw a lot of pages that should have feeds, but don’t. Some of these pages are generated by paid for services. Libraries using these services should call their vendor and ask why they don’t have feeds available.

As much as I hate to say it, library websites are still library websites. It’s a baby step process and we are getting better at it. My library isn’t immune to this either, and we’re working on it. Maybe we should start an Orange Icon Best Practices page on LibSuccess?