C102 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences

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C102Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple
Audiences
Valentina Mayz, Web AdministratorMair Bonnin,
Web Librarian, ReferenceComputers in Libraries
ConferenceMarch 16, 2005Washington D.C.

• Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information
  Technology Center
• A joint use facility with the Broward County
  Board of County Commissioners
• Nova Southeastern University
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

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Agenda

• Introduction
• Background a library in transition
• Original library website database access
• Goals for website redesign
• New library website database access
• Implementation
• Database
• Web application
• Administrative module
• Back up mechanisms
• Future enhancements

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Original Einstein Library

• Primarily served research needs of NSU academic
  community
• Physical space small crowded
• Inadequate shelving resulted in part of
  collection going to off-site storage
• Few study tables and no private study rooms
• Strong focus on distance library services

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Call for changes

• SACS re-accreditation called for changes and
  improvements to the library
• Growing on-campus student population made new
  demands
• Alumni Association desired additional services
  for NSU Alumni
• Partnership formed with Broward County Board of
  County Commissioners to serve County residents

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New Alvin Sherman Library

• Opened in December 2001
• Joint use library serves
• NSU students, faculty, and staff
• Broward County Residents
• NSU Alumni
• Added non-library functions
• Computer labs electronic classrooms
• Auditorium
• Cafe

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Comparison of Libraries
Characteristics Einstein Sherman
Year 2000-2001 2003-2004
Square footage 17,000 325,000
Volumes 200,000 366,400
Librarians 141/2 361/2
Total FT staff 44 84
NSU students 18,590 23,520
Public cardholders 0 28,075
Databases 160 190
Fall enrollment for specified academic year
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Original library web site
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Original website Accessing databases

• Several options for accessing databases
• For all patrons
• Alphabetical lists (3)
• For NSU patrons only
• Provider list
• 14 subject lists

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Original website Accessing databases (2)

• Problem Required frequent updates of 18 static
  lists

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Goals for website redesign

• General
• Update look and provide more efficient navigation
• Accommodate multiple audiences
• Electronic Resources
• For users Provide more focused subject and
  specialty lists for each patron type
• For staff Provide methods to quickly and
  efficiently update the content and appearance of
  database lists (e.g. temporary comments,
  product trials, etc.)
• Provide authentication based on multiple patron
  types with different access permissions (remote
  vs. local)

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New library website (DEMO)
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New website Accessing databases

• Users access database lists via their patron type
  (4 choices)

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New website Accessing databases (2)

• User selects customized list by any of the
  following
• criteria A-Z list Provider (57) Subject
  or specialty (30)

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New website Accessing databases (3)

• A customized list is generated showing databases
  for specific patron type and selected criteria

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Implementation Specs

• Database of research databases Oracle 9i
• Web application to generate dynamic database
  lists based on patron type and selected criteria
  ColdFusion MX
• Patron authentication and access control
• Innovative Interfaces Web Access Management (WAM)
  module and Rewrite proxy
• IP checking directories
• Domain-specific directories containing hidden
  redirects to databases
• Administrative Module with update forms and
  backup mechanisms - ColdFusion

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Database
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Web application (1)
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Web application (2)
Links allowing on-campus only access routed via
IP checker outside the proxy server.
Links allowing remote access continue via proxy
server to the database redirects
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Authentication Access

• Web Access Manager (W.A.M.) checks user
  credentials against patron database (ILS).
• Checks by patron type and IP, but NOT by all
  combinations of both (big problem!).
• IP checking directories are the workaround to the
  W.A.M.s shortcomings.
• Patron types that are NOT allowed remote access
  to databases are passed through IP checkers to
  avoid unauthorized entry.

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Web server space

• Main university server contains majority of
  library web content
• Second web server running ColdFusion MX houses
  application files and Administrative Module
• Third web server has domain-specific directories
  that act as separate servers, designed to only
  accept incoming requests from assigned patron
  type. These contain final links to requested
  database for remote use
• ILS and Oracle servers also play integral role

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Administrative Module (DEMO)

• Quick tour and live updates
• Back up mechanisms

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Administrative Module

• Authorized staff log in and select an existing
  database to modify

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Administrative Module (2)

• All fields are editable (except for ID, the
  unique identifier)

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Administrative Module (3)

• Temporary comments can be added at the database
  or vendor level

• Access levels and URLs control patron access

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Administrative Module (4)

• Adding or removing a database from subject lists
  is now a click away.

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Back up mechanisms

• Dynamic user lists saved in HTML (uploaded
  regularly to virtual servers)

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Future enhancements

• Statistical information of lists by subject to
  support data collection process
• Implementation of EZProxy to alleviate and
  simplify the authentication process, and provide
  better usage statistics
• The MyLibrary model will be explored to expand
  the content-by-patron type, to avoid constant
  selection of services/resources based on patron
  type

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Contact information

• Valentina Mayz, Web Administrator
• mayz_at_nsu.nova.edu
• Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference
• mair_at_nsu.nova.edu

View this presentation online http//www.nova.edu
/library/cil/