C102 Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 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 Valentina Mayz, Web Administrator Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference Computers in Libraries Conference March 16, 2005 Washington D.C.

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 Comparison of Libraries CharacteristicsEinsteinSherman Year Square footage17,000325,000 Volumes200,000366,400 Librarians14 1/2 36 1/2 Total FT staff4484 NSU students18,590 *23,520 * Public cardholders028,075 Databases * Fall enrollment for specified academic year

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 7 Original library web site

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 8 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 9 Original website: Accessing databases (2) Problem: Required frequent updates of 18 static lists

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 10 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 11 New library website (DEMO)

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 12 New website: Accessing databases Users access database lists via their patron type (4 choices)

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 13 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 14 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 15 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 16 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.

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 17 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

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 18 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 directory Is this an NSU IP? NO SORRY Remote access not allowed 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 YES ILS SERVER Routed via Rewrite Proxy

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 19 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 20 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 21 Administrative Module (DEMO) Quick tour and live updates Back up mechanisms

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 22 Administrative Module Authorized staff log in and select an existing database to modify

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 23 Administrative Module (2) All fields are editable (except for ID, the unique identifier)

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 24 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 25 Administrative Module (4) Adding or removing a database from subject lists is now a click away.

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 26 Back up mechanisms Dynamic user lists saved in HTML (uploaded regularly to virtual servers)

Managing Electronic Resources for Multiple Audiences 27 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 28 Contact information Valentina Mayz, Web Administrator Mair Bonnin, Web Librarian, Reference View this presentation online: