Funded by SWRLS (South West Regional Library Service)

Project Aims To facilitate the provision of public access to educational / research materials that are increasingly available in online format only, thereby supporting widening participation and community education within the region through the sharing of information and expertise. This will be done by: Conducting an audit of current policies and practices Sharing information between colleagues in FE and HE libraries who are working on IT solutions for appropriate access Promoting the resources and access policies Producing a report summarising the outcomes and a directory with more detailed information about walk-in access to online resources in the region.

What is ‘walk-in access’? Use of electronic resources by visitors, members of the public Physically entering the premises, not available at a distance The term walk-in access – licences, political correctness

Project Summary This project will review the mechanisms in place, and being developed, in further and higher education libraries, to provide walk-in access for the general public and school students to electronic resources.

The Steering Group Members Claire Holmes, Project Librarian, UWE David Boyd, Electronic Resources Librarian, University of Bristol Eilidh Mackay, Assistant Librarian, UWE Geoff Cole, Community Engagement and Schools Support Librarian, UWE Ian Collins, Partnerships Librarian, UWE Jacqueline Chelin, Deputy Librarian, UWE Karen Foster, Head of Learning Centre, Yeovil College

Context –nationally/internationally SCONUL Task and Finish Group on Access Issues – WATER (Walk-in Access To E-Resources) project The WATER project will seek the views of users, Library Directors and SCONUL Access scheme representatives to identify the issues associated with implementation of walk-in access by UK HEIs SCURL (Scottish Confederation of Universities and Research Libraries) Walk-in Access Project An audit of current practice in members’ institutions, looking at the definition of walk-in access, the mixed economy of authentication management, identity management

Literature Search – a starting point Literature search of relevant professional journals and online information sources to establish best practice SCONUL and UCISA (2007) HAERVI: HE access to e-resources in visited institutions. RIN (2009) Overcoming barriers: access to research information content. Research report 2: Perspectives from libraries Research report 3: How institutions manage access to information sources for non members Research report 4: Information access for members of research pools in Scotland RIN (2006) Access for members of the public to digital content help in university and college libraries: a report on current practice and recommendations for the future. House of Commons Select Committee (2004) Scientific publications: free for all?

Methodology Audit in the form of a questionnaire chosen due to: Geographical area – South West region Nature of the investigation Time of year – autumn term Analysis of results Cost-saving

Methodology Case Study benefits: Visit – first hand view of the service Face-to-face discussion Service – from staff and walk-in perspective In-depth investigation of methods chosen Accuracy and detail Build stronger relationships Follow up Telephone interviews

Responses 41 questionnaires sent out to FEIs/HEIs in the SWRLS area 34 responses – 14 HEIs, 20 FEIs 6 HEIs offer walk-in access (though one has since withdrawn the service)

Figures and Trends For those not providing access (28 out of 34): Two thirds of institutions do not have any plans to introduce the service in the future The majority of institutions rarely or never receive requests from walk-in users to access electronic resources. IT restrictions and legal issues over licences are the biggest factors preventing institutions from implementing the service The biggest driver/motivating factor would be the simplification and standardisation of licences and their legal frameworks.

Figures and Trends

For those providing access (6 out of 34): Restrictions of the service varies - age, commerical use, opening hours Over 80% require users to sign an Acceptable Use Policy 50/50 in terms of whether dedicated kiosks are provided or whether users can use any computer in the library Most institutions provide temporary log-ons Majority provide access expiring at end of the day IT restrictions and barriers greatest problem to overcome

Figures and Trends Institutions that did not encounter technical difficulties had help from their IT departments 80% allow visitors to print 50% allow visitors to save information to memory stick Most institutions have a list of resources permitted on their webpages Uptake of the service has been low for all institutions Promotion of the service is poor

Case Study 1 The service was primarily introduced due to feedback from students on validated/licensed courses 20 catalogue terminals can be used by walk-in users Users can select a resource from the catalogue or use a list of permitted resources EZproxy authorises access Firefox browser with kiosk mode No facility for printing or saving yet Users don’t need to sign Acceptable Use Policy Have not monitored use but believe it to be low Eduroam available

Case Study 2 Service in use for 3-4 years, introduced when IT and library services were merged Introduced for two reasons – community and new student logons Access is provided via Microsoft Active Directory This application populates information about the user into pre-prepared network accounts Visitors sign AUP and ID checked Wide range of resources permitted Shibboleth used to authenticate Any computer can be used in the library Eduroam available Do not promote service

Outcomes of the project Wider access for non-HE students and general public to online research resources Sharing / promotion of expertise about walk-in services Facilitating collaboration between sectors in establishing walk-in services Encouraging further resource sharing Contributing to other regional / national initiatives Supporting widening participation, lifelong learning and community engagement

Implications of the project Impact on organisations providing this service Demand / level of use Support required from Library staff Collaboration, eg HEIs could support local FEIs to set up service FEIs and HEIs move towards offering a wider community resource to support public libraries

Recommendations SWRLS Share this report more widely through web site Maintain directory of institutions offering walk-in access Members to consider potential audiences for such a service Promote outcomes of project to related national projects National bodies (eg JISC, SCONUL) Influence licence providers to simplify and clarify walk- in access provisions

Recommendations Individual institutions in the South West HEIs and FEIs to set up walk-in user service if not already providing one Inform SWRLS of any changes in walk-in access policy Target / promote service to appropriate audiences through analysing requests received HEIs / FEIs to consider using Eduroam Close liaison with IT department when planning / implementing walk-in service Use institutional policies as driver for implementation of walk-in service Use implementation to drive institutional policy!

List of Respondents - universities Bath Spa University Bournemouth University Cranfield University Plymouth University Royal Agricultural College Southampton Solent University University College Falmouth - Dartington College of Arts University College Plymouth St Mark & St John University College Winchester University of Bath University of Bristol University of Exeter University of Gloucestershire University of the West of England (UWE)

List of Respondents – FE colleges Bicton College Bridgwater College Cirencester College City College, Plymouth City of Bath College City of Bristol College Cornwall College Exeter College Filton College Gloucestershire College Hartpury College New College, Swindon South Devon College Stode College Stroud College Swindon College Truro and Penwith College Weston College Weymouth College Yeovil College

Directory: Who offers access? University of Bath University of Exeter University College Falmouth users/article.asp University of Gloucestershire Plymouth University

Bibliography SCONUL and UCISA (2007) HAERVI: HE access to e-resources in visited institutions. Available from: RIN (2009) Overcoming barriers: access to research information content. Available from: resources/overcoming-barriers-access-research-information Research report 2: Perspectives from libraries Research report 3: How institutions manage access to information sources for non members Research report 4: Information access for members of research pools in Scotland RIN (2006) Access for members of the public to digital content help in university and college libraries: a report on current practice and recommendations for the future. Available from: resources/public-access-licensed-journals-held-academic-lib House of Commons Select Committee (2004) Scientific publications: free for all? Available from:

Contact us Geoff Cole, Community Engagement and Schools Support Librarian, UWE. Jacqueline Chelin, Deputy Librarian, UWE. March 2012