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C102 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences. Valentina Mayz, Web Administrator Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference Computers in Libraries Conference March 16, 2005 Washington D.C. Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center
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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
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Comparison of Libraries * Fall enrollment for specified academic year Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Original library web site Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Original website: Accessing databases Several options for accessing databases: • For all patrons: • Alphabetical lists (3) • For NSU patrons only: • Provider list • 14 subject lists Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Original website: Accessing databases (2) Problem: Required frequent updates of 18 static lists Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
New library website (DEMO) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Users access database lists via their patron type (4 choices) New website: Accessing databases Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
New website: Accessing databases (2) User selects customized list by any of the following criteria: · A-Z list · Provider (57) · Subject or specialty (30) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
New website: Accessing databases (3) A customized list is generated showing databases for specific patron type and selected criteria Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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. SUBJECT INFORMATION Subject ID, name, related subject information, URL to subject help. DATABASES & SUBJECTS Unique combinations of database ID & subject ID link both categories. Database Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
MAIN WEB SERVER ILS SERVER • Library Website • Patron logs in to Databases section • Patron authenticated by WAM • Patron routed via Rewrite Proxy COLDFUSION MX SERVER ORACLE 9i 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. • Database of research databases WEB PAGE GENERATED • List of research databases specific to patron type CONTINUED… Web application (1) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
SORRY Remote access not allowed MAIN WEB SERVER WEB PAGE GENERATED • IP checking directory • Is this an NSU IP? • List of research databases specific to patron type NO YES ILS SERVER • Routed via Rewrite Proxy MAIN WEB SERVER • Database Redirects • Redirects are in Domain-specific ‘virtual directory’, one for each patron type, which allows links to be hidden from unauthorized users. LOGGED INTO DATABASE Web application (2) Links allowing ‘on-campus only’ access routed via IP checkeroutside the proxy server. Links allowing ‘remote’ access continue via proxy server to the database redirects Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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. Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Administrative Module (DEMO) • Quick tour and live updates • Back up mechanisms Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Administrative Module • Authorized staff log in and select an existing database to modify Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Administrative Module (2) • All fields are editable (except for ID, the unique identifier) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Administrative Module (3) • Temporary comments can be added at the database or vendor level • Access levels and URLs control patron access Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Administrative Module (4) • Adding or removing a database from subject lists is now a click away. Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Back up mechanisms • Dynamic user lists saved in HTML (uploaded regularly to virtual servers) Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
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 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences
Contact information Valentina Mayz, Web Administrator mayz@nsu.nova.edu Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference mair@nsu.nova.edu View this presentation online: http://www.nova.edu/library/cil/ Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences