Libraries & Learning Technologies Web Access Management: The AUC Experience Casey Grimmer, Head Daniel Blucker, eResources Research & Information Services

Libraries & Learning Technologies Web Access Management WAM allows your library to use the Innovative Web server to forward requests to a remote server. Your library can use WAM to allow users who connect to your catalog from home to access subscription databases and control access to restricted databases. (CSdirect)

Libraries & Learning Technologies Millennium at AUC Millennium implemented 2001 WAM implemented 2005 for off- campus access Panacea for users

Libraries & Learning Technologies Connections at AUC 5,500+ faculty & students plus SCE 100+ computers in library Thousands of computers – wired and wireless LALT 101 classroom activities

Libraries & Learning Technologies Electronic Resources 100+ databases 19 statistical databases 40,000+ electronic books 60,000+ electronic journals Primarily English, some Arabic

Libraries & Learning Technologies Number of users + Number of resources = Every increasing load on WAM

Libraries & Learning Technologies Two major issues On- and off-campus users authenticated on WAM – added layer for on-campus users All traffic routed via WAM – possible bottleneck

Libraries & Learning Technologies Unforeseen Problems – management Add to MARC records 856 field, regular updates Add to ERM Resource Records Miscellaneous links; libguides, webpages, publicity, etc.

Libraries & Learning Technologies Unforeseen Problems – Users Proxy slows connection & response Proxy malfunction blocks all access Removing proxy redirect LALT 101 classroom instruction

Libraries & Learning Technologies Short-Term or Temporary Solution Cold fusion script to bypass proxy local user to remote user to Partial solution –works only on website –not cataloged resources

Libraries & Learning Technologies Long-Term, Permanent Solution EZproxy ??? –remote users redirected –single URL for all resources –LDAP authentication WAM authentication uses API ??? Others ???

Libraries & Learning Technologies Your Library’s Experiences ???