RSS Feeds Beta

What's this all about?

The UCLA Library is testing a beta version of RSS feeds to deliver notifications to users about items recently added to library collections.

What is RSS?

RSS most commonly stands for Really Simple Syndication and offers an easy and convenient way for users to receive updates from informational Web sites. The information is published in feeds to which anyone can subscribe; subscribers then receive the feeds through stand-alone software called feed readers, through modern browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer 7, or through Web sites like FeedBucket. More about RSS readers is available on the RSS Compendium Web page.

Why do I only see a bunch of code?

Modern browsers like Firefox and IE 7 can manage RSS feeds directly and display formatted versions; older browsers may show only the raw code. For best results, use a modern browser or an online feed manager like Google Reader.

To view a formatted version of one of the Library's feeds without a subscription to a feedreader, follow these steps:

1. Click on a subject;
2. Copy the URL;
3. Paste the URL in to a feedreader, such as FeedBucket.

What criteria were used for the subjects?

The subject list has been developed by UCLA Library staff and is based on a mixture of UCLA academic departments, Library of Congress classifications, and National Library of Medicine classifications. The list was originally developed to classify licensed article databases and online resources in terms easily understandable by UCLA students, faculty, and staff.

This mapping table shows the relationship between call numbers and subject categories: for example, Computer Science = QA75 - QA76.95; TK7885 - TK7895.

Where is my favorite subject?

The subjects are correlated with UCLA academic departments and programs. Your favorite subject may be listed under a different name or split among multiple subjects.

Please send feedback with your comments and suggestions on the subjects.

What is the "Customized RSS Feed Wizard"?

By default, each RSS feed contains all recently cataloged collections for the designated subject. The customized feed wizard allows you to create your own RSS feed by filtering by call number, language, library location, and publication year, either alone or in combination.  It adds a personalized dimension to the RSS feeds. 

How can I get all call numbers for my customized feeds?

Please see the Library of Congress classification system and the National Library of Medicine classification system for full explanations of their call-number systems and the links between call numbers and subjects.

You can also contact the subject specialists in the relevant discipline to get the call numbers and subjects. 

What call number formats can I use to create my own feed?

There are four valid call number formats:

1. Call letter alone: This selects all call numbers that start with that exact call letter (e.g., "KF" matches KF1 – KF9999).
2. Call letter with wildcard: This selects all call numbers that start with that letter (e.g., "K*" matches K1 – KZZ9999).
3. Call letter with start/base number: This matches all call numbers that begin with that exact letter/number combination (e.g., "K135").
4. Call letter with start and end ranges: This selects all call numbers that fall within that range (e.g., "KF300 – KF352").

Please send feedback with your comments and suggestions on the subjects.

What publication year format can I use to create my own feed?

1. A single year: e.g., 1979
2. An exact range: e.g., 2001-2003
3. An range ending in a particular year: -2002 (i.e., all years up to 2002).
4. A range starting in a particular year: 1975- (i.e., all years from 1975 to the present).
5. A few years back from the present: +3 (i.e., 2005-2008).

Input can contain only digits, plus sign ("+"), and/or minus sign/hyphen ("-").  Calendar years must contain all applicable digits: for example, se 1978-1988, not 1978-88, which would e interpreted as 1978 C.E. to 88 C.E. and return no results.  If you enter multiple years/ranges, separate the distinct values/ranges with semi-colons (";"): 1970;1980;1990.

Please send feedback with your comments and suggestions on the subjects.

What information does each feed contain?

Each feed lists titles that have been added to the UCLA Library Catalog in the given subject area two to five days ago. The entry for each title contains author, title, imprint, location, call number, and a hyperlink directly to the full record.

How are the titles organized within each feed?

The organization depends on the feedreader being used. In many readers, the titles are sorted by location, then by call number.

How often are the feeds updated?

All feeds are updated once a day, seven days a week, early in the morning.

There used to be Option A and Option B feeds.  Where are they now?

This beta service has moved to a second iteration in which Option B Feeds have been discontinued.  Please subscribe to similar feeds from the current list to replace Option B feeds.  All eighty Option A feeds are intact in this iteration, which also includes new navigation.

The decision to discontinue the Option B feeds was based on user feedback and usage statistics.  Future plans include adding feeds to cover all UCLA disciplines and enabling users to create customized feeds.  Further information is available in a blog post.