Sally Chambers University of London TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004 Supporting authorised access to Online Library resources: the University of London experience

Overview What is the Online Library? Who is the Online Library for? What IT issues does the Online Library create? Why do we need usernames and passwords? Usernames and passwords in the Online Library Username and password solutions for the future Useful links TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

What is the Online Library? A website! Full-text electronic journals (HTML or.pdf) Subject-specific web resources Online dictionaries and encyclopedias eHelp Desk - to help students use resources Enquiry service for further help TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

What is the Online Library? A website! Full-text electronic journals (HTML or.pdf) Subject-specific web resources Online dictionaries and encyclopedias eHelp Desk - to help students use resources Enquiry service for further help TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

Who is the Online Library for? University of London External Programme students 29,498 students 24,480 undergraduate students 5,018 postgraduate students Studying in 180 countries around the world for a University of London qualification TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

What IT issues does the OLL create? Long download times for full-text journal articles – often provided in large.pdf files Accessing ejournals through personal firewalls or pop-up blockers Accessing ejournals that require javascript Obtaining and using usernames and passwords - usernames and passwords create 75% of student support enquiries TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

Why do we need usernames and passwords? Licence restrictions – ejournals are only for University of London students On campus access control – register campus IP addresses with ejournal supplier IP access can not be used off campus without having a proxy server or VPN in place eJournal suppliers provide usernames and passwords – different username and password for each supplier TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

Usernames and passwords in the Online Library (1) Online Library currently uses the Athens Access Management system, developed by EduServ (UK) Provided a single username and password to allow access to electronic journals from multiple suppliers Allows location-independent access to resources, using a personal Athens username and password Allows librarians (who may be non-technical) to administer access to their resources via a web- based administration tools TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004

One “Online Library” username and password for most resources Overall easier for students, but confusing when one or two ejournals require a different username and password Creating and distributing individual usernames and passwords is time consuming for librarians Different usernames and passwords are required for other applications, e.g. Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) etc. TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004 Usernames and passwords in the Online Library (2)

Phase 1: Students can self-register for Online Library Athens usernames and passwords online Phase 2: Automated creation of usernames and passwords for Online Library resources using a 2 nd generation access management system, e.g. Athens Devolved Authentication Phase 3: Single username and password for all Campus resources – using Shibboleth? TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004 Usernames and passwords solutions for the future

Online Library: University of London External Programme: Athens DA (Devolved Authentication) Shibboleth: TERENA Networking Conference, Rhodes, Greece: June 2004 Useful links