Integrating Library Resources into Desire2Learn Courses Susan Mee: RIT Demo Denise Kreiger: Monmouth University Demo Jonathan Jiras:RIT - Technology Overview Wendy Savoth:Monmouth University Details Presenters:

Susan Mee Rochester Institute of Technology Library Resources Link Server Campus wide implementation Customized Library resources available in every course – from Physics to Phys.Ed. On campus, Online, Distance and Blended Courses ~ whether using D2L or not

Library Resources Link Server Modular Web Based Application Is not a widget – avoids limitations of widgets – provides customized resources based on college, dept, or course Link from main navigation bar of D2L – available from every screen Integration of all reserves + customized library resources Added to default course shell – appears in all courses – campus wide and beyond myLibrary link branded for RIT’s myCourses

Three Levels of Content 1. Course-specific content –reserve material 2. College or Program-specific content –contact info, database lists, subject guides, and website lists 3. Neither (common to all courses, colleges, and programs) - research tools, library account, books tab

1.Student 2.Faculty 3.Distance Learner Three Views

Summary of Benefits Modular, web based application. Resides outside of D2L Links to existing systems – pages on web server, III reserve module Does not require library staff to edit course shells or duplicate processing In every course Nav Bar by default – no privacy or permission issues – library staff does not need course access Decreased reserve processing by at least 25% Encourages librarians to participate in the success of D2L Customizes the library experience for users Makes the library and library resources important D2L assets Easy migration from quarter to quarter

Denise Kreiger Monmouth University A University-Wide Initiative

Why Integrate? Investment: MU Guggenheim Library has undergone extensive renovations to benefit university community and preserve historical value Challenge: Library is physically separated from main campus. Bring Library services & resources to forefront with greater visibility. Goal: Better service students & faculty, both on campus and remotely.

eCampus Solution Successfully deployed in Fall ’05 with course shells created for all teaching faculty in Monmouth University. Available 24/7, with virtual access for students and instructors on-campus and remote locations. MULibrary link added to eCampus NavBar as “portal” to Library website. MULibrary page contains links to general Library services & resources, as well as school-specific, department-specific, and course-specific resources. LMS eCampus (D2L) offers an enterprise-wide solution for integrating Library services and resources:

Demonstration

Jonathan Jiras Rochester Institute of Technology Technology Overview Big Picture RIT details are presented elsewhere (check handout for URL) General solution is the same for both RIT and Monmouth Cooperative project Enriches both the library and courseware Work with your librarians

Library Website Typical Academic Library Resources Library Reserves Electronic course reserves (class specific PDFs) Traditional print reserves (books and photocopies) Library handles all work and tracks/clears copyright April 2006 e-reserve stats for RIT: - 11,527 electronic files courses supported - accessed 130,335 times traditional reserves Librarian-authored web pages Subscription databases for each discipline/subject Library services and research tools Help guides on using the library Subject specialist contact information Services for specific patrons (faculty, distance learners…) much, much, more….

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Three Systems to Integrate Library Reserves

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS The Library Resources Link Server Library Resources Link Server Library Reserves

The Library Resources Link Server Library Resources Link Server Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Library Reserves Separate system – outside of all three systems Takes URL parameters Links to pre-existing content Trivial logic – parses course numbers Very simple integration solution

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Step One – Pass URL Variables Library Resources Link Server course number role Library Reserves

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Step Two – Get Library Reserves Library Resources Link Server course number role list of reserves Library Reserves

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Step Three – Dynamic Web Page Library Resources Link Server course number role list of reserves Dynamically Generated Web page Library Reserves

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Links to Library Reserves Library Resources Link Server course number role list of reserves Dynamically Generated Web page links to reserves Library Reserves

Library Website Desire2Learn CMS Library Resources Link Server course number role list of reserves Dynamically Generated Web page links to reserves Links to Relevant Library Content links to program, department, or college specific librarian-authored web pages Library Reserves

Possible Future Development Library Catalog More content when-and-if specific librarians develop it for additional programs/departments Make it a database driven application Integrate with additional courseware packages Integrate with faculty authored websites Library systems changes - electronic resources management system - database driven library website

Details on RIT Implementation Flash video summary (6 minutes) PDF handout: Screen shots Live URLs Sample code Web accessible presentations (with audio)

Wendy Savoth Monmouth University MU Library web pages already contain pertinent information Librarians collaborate with faculty members to define school-specific, department-specific and subject-specific existing web pages Information will be entered via a web form by the Librarians MULibrary link clicked, one page of code will generate dynamic information

Why Database Driven Information always up-to-date Reports can be generated easily Maintenance of links can be done by the library personnel thus assuring data integrity Target information from general to specific levels: –School –Department –Subject –Course –Section

Architecture 06SP_EDS

Architecture 06SP_EDS Semester the course was created (year/term)

Architecture 06SP_EDS Subject (this will yield the Department as well as the School)

Architecture 06SP_EDS Course

Architecture 06SP_EDS Section

Architecture PHP server side scripting well-suited for Web development SQL Server database Access database (eReserves) Web form for data entry

Components D2L PHP script Sends variables SQL Server Returns values Nightly script synchronizes

Web Form

Filters on each of the data fields Searchable Easily enter new data Easily change existing data

Data Diagram

Link

oth/mylibrary/mylibrary.php?RoleId={RoleI d}&OrgUnitName={OrgUnitName}&OrgUni tCode={OrgUnitCode} oth/mylibrary/mylibrary.php?RoleId={RoleI d}&OrgUnitName={OrgUnitName}&OrgUni tCode={OrgUnitCode}

Link Variables being used: –{RoleId} – differentiate Instructor/Student –{OrgUnitCode} – parse this for: Semester Subject/Department/School Course Section –{OrgUnitName} – not being processed

SQL Code $query = " selectrl.category_id, rl.role_id, rl.link_id, rl.subject_id, rl.department_id, rl.school_id, l.link_id, l.link, l.link_name, c.category_order from_roleslinks rl left outer join _links l on l.link_id = rl.link_id left outer join _categories c on c.category_id = rl.category_id where(rl.school_id = '".$schoolID."' or rl.school_id = 'ALL') and(rl.department_id = '".$departmentID."' or rl.department_id = 'ALL') and(rl.subject_id = '".$subjectCode."' or rl.subject_id = 'ALL') and(rl.course_id = '".$courseCode."' or rl.course_id = 'ALL') and(rl.section_id = '".$sectionCode."' or rl.section_id = 'ALL') and(rl.role_id = ".$roleId." or rl.role_id = 0) order by c.category_order;";

Lessons Learned Importance of orientating Librarians to concept of linking to existing library web pages (i.e., “link server”) not creating new pages Librarians’ role is to make and maintain connections between existing Library web pages and related courses, subjects, departments, etc. using a custom web form eReserve information will be automatically integrated into the MULibrary page (no additional work required)

Future at MU ITS will finalize requirements needed for the data input web form Library will continue to identify and develop library web pages for resources at the department and course level Library staff will continue to liaise with faculty to develop eReserves and Subject Guides

The End Thank You!

Leave Blank for MU Note: The slides that follow are “screen shots” of MULibrary that will only be shown if Internet access is not available. A hyperlink from the “Demonstration” slide will link to the next slide automatically.

MULibrary – Main

Library Services

Research Help

Library Account

eReserves

Find Articles

Find Books

Subject Guides

Websites