C102

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences

Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology CenterA joint use facility with the Broward County Board of County CommissionersNova Southeastern UniversityFt. Lauderdale, Florida

Valentina Mayz, Web AdministratorMair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference

Computers in Libraries ConferenceMarch 16, 2005Washington D.C.

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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

VENDOR INFORMATION

Vendor ID, name, URL, sales rep. contact information, tech. support contact information, vendor comments.

DATABASE INFORMATION

Database ID, name, vendor ID, access permissions and URLs for 4 patron groups, description, comments, status, link to database guide, link to long description.

DATABASES & SUBJECTS

Unique combinations of database ID & subject ID link both categories.

SUBJECT INFORMATION

Subject ID, name, related subject information, URL to subject help.

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Web application (1)

MAIN WEB SERVER

•Library Website

•Patron logs in to Databases section

ILS SERVER

•Patron authenticated by WAM

•Patron routed via Rewrite Proxy

COLDFUSION MX SERVER

•4 similar applications (NSU, Broward, Alumni, Walk-in) provide forms to request data and output dynamic lists of databases by subject, alphabetical order, and vendor.

ORACLE 9i SERVER

•Database of research databases

CONTINUED…

WEB PAGE GENERATED

•List of research databases specific to patron type

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Web application (2)

WEB PAGE GENERATED

•List of research databases specific to patron type

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

MAIN WEB SERVER•IP checking

directoryIs this an NSU IP?

NO

SORRYRemote access not allowed

MAIN WEB SERVER

•Database RedirectsRedirects are in Domain-specific ‘virtual directory’, one for each patron type, which allows links to be hidden from unauthorized users.

LOGGED INTO DATABASE

YES

ILS SERVER

•Routed via Rewrite Proxy

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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 Administratormayz@nsu.nova.edu

Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Referencemair@nsu.nova.edu

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