[CODE4LIB] Job: Unit Head, Digital Services at Atlanta University Center
The Atlanta University Center - Robert W. Woodruff Library supports the teaching and learning missions of four institutions of higher learning that comprise the world's largest consortium of HBCUs--Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Conveniently located and easily accessible to the campuses, the Woodruff Library is the center of the intellectual and social life at the Atlanta University Center. POSITION SUMMARY: The library invites applications for the position of Unit Head, Digital Services. This newly created position and unit is a part of the recently restructured and refocused Content and Collection Management department. This position will be responsible for the scope of services for this new unit. The Unit Head, Digital Services manages the daily operations of the library's digital services unit, grant funded projects, and staff. S/he works collaboratively with library staff and faculties at academic institutions to deliver digital services and content in support of teaching, learning and research. They will lend dedicated focus to the library's Archive Research Center. The Unit Head, Digital Services Librarian is responsible for researching, recommending, and implementing emerging technologies that exploit creation and management of and discovery and access to digital collections. S/he develops best practices, policies and procedures for digital asset creation and management. The Unit Head, Digital Services Librarian, reports to the Head of Content & Collection Management. To view the full job posting, please visit our website at [www.auctr.edu](http://www.auctr.edu). QUALIFICATIONS: * Experience managing born digital content, content reformatting, and digital asset management systems for discovery and access * Familiarity with trends and issues associated with preservation of digital content to include applicable copyright law and practice * Demonstrated understanding of the application of digital technologies as it relates to scholarship and teaching * Knowledge of metadata standards such as Dublin Core, EAD, or METS * Experience with digital image file formats and software * Ability to direct the work of support staff * Demonstrated experience with web page creation, scripting and mark up languages including PHP, CSS, XML, XHTML * Knowledge of copyright and licensing issues affecting digitization efforts * Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team * Excellent organizational and analytical skills * Excellent oral and written communication skills EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: * An MIS or MLS degree by an accredited institution * Experience with digital asset management systems * Experience working in an academic library * Minimum two years supervisory experience preferred * Project management experience SALARY & BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, company paid disability plans, company match retirement plan (TIAA-CREF). APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested applicants should submit a letter of application and resume online to the Human Resources Department at [care...@auctr.edu](mailto:care...@auctr.edu). Please include three professional references and salary requirements. The Robert W. Woodruff Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about our Library visit us online at [www.auctr.edu](http://www.auctr.edu). Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/1026/
[CODE4LIB] Job: Geographic Information Systems Specialist at Purdue University
Purdue University Libraries seeks a highly motivated, innovative, and learner- centered individual for the position of GIS Specialist. In support of the Libraries' strategic plan, the GIS specialist will maintain and expand the Libraries' GIS presence on campus, and as a faculty member will contribute to the research and scholarship in this area. The GIS Specialist serves as a Libraries' primary resource for GIS-related questions. Collaborates with faculty campus-wide, including an emerging digital humanities community, on interdisciplinary research and to integrate geospatial information literacy and knowledge management skills into their instruction, as a part of the Libraries' comprehensive information literacy program. Organizes campus gateway to geospatial data, including locally produced data as well as commercial, government, and other institutional data. Advocates for best practices of geospatial data management, including using open source formats, appropriate documentation and use of metadata to enable downstream sharing of research data. Contributes to digitization program of unique, print geospatial resources held at Purdue. Purdue has many groups active in GIS-related instruction and research across the campus, comprising topics as diverse as political science, history, business and economics, homeland security, climate change, engineering, agriculture, and geology. The GIS Specialist identifies ongoing campus user needs for GIS and collaborates with centers of geospatial activity across campus, including as part of sponsored research projects. Collaborates with University and Libraries information technology department in acquiring and planning for upgrades to hardware and software to support changing geospatial technologies. Required qualifications: Masters degree from an ALA- accredited library school and/or advanced, terminal degree in another relevant discipline. Academic background or work experience with GIS software, digital geospatial data, and cartographic concepts. Commitment to engage in research and scholarship, and ability to achieve promotion and tenure. Desired Qualifications: Two years recent experience providing GIS services to end users; vision and leadership to develop expanded geospatial information services; demonstrated interest in the applications of current and emerging technologies to meet the changing needs of users; strong service orientation and high degree of computer literacy; experience with common open source technologies for spatial data and the web (PostGIS, GDAL/OGR, GeoServer, GeoNetwork, OpenLayers/Google Maps, etc.); experience with web APIs and linked data endpoints; excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to work well with all levels of users and staff; demonstrated commitment to user instruction and to consultation with users on their information management needs; ability to organize and provide access to decentralized data repositories; and supervisory experience. Appointment: Appointment will be at the assistant or associate professor rank. The full job announcement can be seen at: [http://ww w.lib.purdue.edu/admin/hr/career_opportunities/](http://www.lib.purdue.edu/adm in/hr/career_opportunities/) Salary and benefits: Salary commensurate with experience in the context of Purdue University's salary structure. Purdue provides a generous fringe benefit package that includes contribution to retirement, health, disability, and life insurance, 22 annual vacation days, and tuition support for employee, children, and spouse/same sex domestic partner. Application process: To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of at least three references via email to Carla Heuss, Libraries Human Resources Assistant, at [green...@purdue.edu](mailto:green...@purdue.edu) Please place "Geographic Information Systems Specialist" in the subject line of all emails. Nominations for the position will be accepted and should be sent to the same email address. Beginning on June 8, 2012, applications will be reviewed as they are received. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Carla Heuss at 765-494-2899 or [green...@purdue.edu](mailto:green...@purdue.edu) A background check will be required for this position. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/1016/
[CODE4LIB] Job: First-year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist at Purdue University
Purdue University Libraries seeks a highly motivated, innovative, and learner- centered individual for the position of First-year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist. In support of the Libraries' strategic plan the First Year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist will lead outreach efforts and develop programming to address the needs of first-year students at Purdue, and identify, implement, and assess emerging technologies that support information literacy and learning, and as faculty must contribute to the research and scholarship in this area. Working with other faculty and staff, the First-year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist will support the information literacy and learning needs of Purdue learners via the Libraries' online environment. The First-year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist will contribute to the Libraries' instructional efforts, including the development of online resources, such as multimedia tutorials, and will participate in classroom instruction. Serving as a resource for liaison librarians, this individual will collaborate with library staff and faculty in the use of emerging technologies to enhance student information literacy at Purdue. Purdue's ITaP (Information Technology at Purdue) is implementing several new interactive and mobile learning technologies in support of teaching and learning at Purdue, including Signals, JetPack, Hotseat, and Mixable; for more information please visit [http://www.itap.purdu e.edu/studio//.The) First Year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist will train other professionals across the Libraries in efficient and effective use of these and other emerging technologies in enhancing Purdue students' information literacy skills in physical and virtual learning environments. The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of trends and services in academic libraries to enrich the first-year experience of Purdue students at a University that has the second largest enrollment of international students in the country. This position is responsible for collaborating with co-curricular campus partners to develop and coordinate the Purdue Libraries' outreach efforts to first-year students. Reporting to the Information Literacy Specialist, this position requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of faculty, students and staff. Required qualifications: Master's degree from an ALA- accredited library school and/or advanced, terminal degree in another relevant discipline. Recent graduates and those approaching graduation are encouraged to apply. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of diversity through life/work experiences and/or studies, and ability to work positively in an inclusive environment. Education and/or experience relevant to one or more of the following areas: first year experience programs, instructional design, information literacy, eLearning, emerging technologies, educational technologies, social media, or user experience. Commitment to engage in research and scholarship, and ability to achieve promotion and tenure. Desired qualifications: Demonstrated experience planning and developing first-year experience programming. Demonstrated knowledge of instructional design and current instructional technologies and trends in online learning. Demonstrated experience designing and developing digital learning objects. Demonstrated experience of web development skills and web applications. Demonstrated knowledge of information literacy concepts and applications. Knowledge of assessment techniques, trends, and software in libraries as well as higher education. Appointment: Appointment will be at the assistant professor rank. The full job announcement can be seen at: [http://www .lib.purdue.edu/admin/hr/career_opportunities/](http://www.lib.purdue.edu/admi n/hr/career_opportunities/) Salary and benefits: Salary commensurate with experience in the context of Purdue University's salary structure. Purdue provides a generous fringe benefit package that includes contribution to retirement, health, disability, and life insurance, 22 annual vacation days, and tuition support for employee, children, and spouse/same sex domestic partner. Application process: To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of at least three references via email to Carla Heuss, Libraries Human Resources Assistant, at [green...@purdue.edu](mailto:green...@purdue.edu). Please place "First-year Experience and Emerging Technologies Specialist" in the subject line of all emails. Nominations for the position will be accepted and should be sent to the same email address. Beginning on June 8, 2012, applications will be reviewed as they are received. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Carla Heuss at 765-494-2899 or [g
[CODE4LIB] Job: Engineering/Research Data Librarian at University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland Libraries is seeking an Engineering/Research Data Librarian at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Library (EPSL). The incumbent reports to the Head of EPSL and manages a combination of duties and expectations. EPSL serves several colleges and schools, including the highly ranked A. James Clark School of Engineering, and the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Along with EPSL and other subject librarians, the Engineering/Research Data Librarian is in a key position to help the University of Maryland Libraries define a completely new role for subject librarians -- a role that will allow the Libraries to be more closely integrated in the whole educational and research process at the University of Maryland. The subject librarians, including the Engineering/Research Data Librarian, have vision and dynamic perspective to help shape new approaches to faculty/library relationships. Requirements: * A Master's degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution of higher education, or advanced degree in engineering or related discipline at time of appointment. * Experience with or aptitude for working effectively and creatively with faculty and students; collection development and management; research/information and instructional services. * Understanding of current and emerging trends in the assigned subject areas. Knowledge of electronic resources and information technologies. Excellent oral and written communication skills. * Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function independently and in groups, build and maintain relationships with partners and library staff; ability to provide exceptional service to a diverse clientele. Position is appointed to Librarian Faculty Ranks as established by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Rank at appointment is based on the successful applicant's experience and relevant credentials. For additional information, consult the following website: [http://www.lib.umd .edu/groups/la/APPSC/index.html](http://www.lib.umd.edu/groups/la/APPSC/index. html) APPLICATIONS: Electronic applications required. Please apply online at [https://jobs.umd.edu. You must be legally able to work in the United States; the University of Maryland Libraries will not sponsor individuals for employment. An application consists of a cover letter which includes the source of advertisement, a curriculum vitae, and names/e-mail addresses of three references. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For best consideration, please respond by July 15, 2012. The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/1014/
[CODE4LIB] Job: Emerging Technologies/Distance Services Librarian at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The Library at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY seeks a tenure-track faculty member in the rank of Assistant Professor or Instructor to hold the title of Emerging Technologies/Distance Services Librarian. The successful candidate will provide leadership and expertise in the identification, assessment, and implementation of emerging technologies that further the Library's mission. He or she will be conversant with new communication technologies & media and have the skills to create web-delivered instructional materials. S/he will be knowledgeable about distance education issues, and skilled in delivering them. S/he will have the vision to transform print special collections to exciting online experiences. For full information see [http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/inf o/calendar/humanresource/](http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/info/calendar/humanres ource/) Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/1013/
Re: [CODE4LIB] library hours database/tool?
I have used Google Calendar for personal projects and I agree that it's easy to use. Here's some PHP code I've used to have Google Calendar power a simple calendar page: https://github.com/media-uk/GCalPHP However, I think that this is such a common task for university libraries that it would be a great project to collaborate on. I could see it as a web service that other systems could use to not only post hours, but also validate scheduling inputs for room bookings, book request pickup, reading room delivery, etc. -Shaun On 6/14/12 3:54 PM, Sean Hannan wrote: I'm implementing this in Google Calendar. Easy to update for non-tech staff. Easy to have multiple calendars (one per location), and the API is baked in. Amenities info, etc. can be included in the notes field of the calendar entry. -Sean --- Sean Hannan Web Developer Sheridan Libraries Johns Hopkins University On 6/14/12 3:38 PM, "Baksik, Corinna M." wrote: At Harvard we need to implement a new library hours database/tool. We have over 70 libraries and are looking for something that's easy for staff to update (~100 staff users), and has some form of API such that other sites (like the Med or Law school library sites), can access it so they don't have to update hours in multiple places. It needs to include amenities info, café hours, etc. Preferably staff could set default hours and then override them when hours vary. Are there any libraries doing this that are using open-source software, and like what they have? (If you have a locally built system and like what you have, I'm interested in that too). Many thanks, Corinna Corinna Baksik Systems Librarian Library Technology Services Harvard University 90 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge, MA 02138 617.495.3724 -- Shaun D. Ellis Digital Library Interface Developer Firestone Library, Princeton University voice: 609.258.1698 | sha...@princeton.edu
Re: [CODE4LIB] library hours database/tool?
I'm implementing this in Google Calendar. Easy to update for non-tech staff. Easy to have multiple calendars (one per location), and the API is baked in. Amenities info, etc. can be included in the notes field of the calendar entry. -Sean --- Sean Hannan Web Developer Sheridan Libraries Johns Hopkins University On 6/14/12 3:38 PM, "Baksik, Corinna M." wrote: > At Harvard we need to implement a new library hours database/tool. We have > over 70 libraries and are looking for something that's easy for staff to > update (~100 staff users), and has some form of API such that other sites > (like the Med or Law school library sites), can access it so they don't have > to update hours in multiple places. It needs to include amenities info, café > hours, etc. Preferably staff could set default hours and then override them > when hours vary. > Are there any libraries doing this that are using open-source software, and > like what they have? (If you have a locally built system and like what you > have, I'm interested in that too). > Many thanks, > Corinna > > Corinna Baksik > Systems Librarian > Library Technology Services > Harvard University > 90 Mt. Auburn St. > Cambridge, MA 02138 > 617.495.3724
[CODE4LIB] library hours database/tool?
At Harvard we need to implement a new library hours database/tool. We have over 70 libraries and are looking for something that's easy for staff to update (~100 staff users), and has some form of API such that other sites (like the Med or Law school library sites), can access it so they don't have to update hours in multiple places. It needs to include amenities info, café hours, etc. Preferably staff could set default hours and then override them when hours vary. Are there any libraries doing this that are using open-source software, and like what they have? (If you have a locally built system and like what you have, I'm interested in that too). Many thanks, Corinna Corinna Baksik Systems Librarian Library Technology Services Harvard University 90 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge, MA 02138 617.495.3724
Re: [CODE4LIB] isoncampus service
I'm not sure if it is quite the same, but in the same area, there is some stuff being done around picking up Shibboleth attributes based on IP location: Shibboleth IdP User Agent Attribute Extension = This plugin captures the user agent IP address at authentication and then allows that information to trigger the association of certain attributes/values during attribute resolution time. https://github.com/ukf/ua-attribute-idp-ext/blob/master/README.txt Owen On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 3:46 PM, Godmar Back wrote: > A number of web applications, both client and server-side, could benefit if > it could be easily determined if a user is on or off campus with respect to > accessing resources that use IP-address based authentication. > > For instance, a web site could show/hide a button asking the user to "log > in," or a proxied/non-proxied URL could be displayed depending on whether > the user is connecting from within/outside an authorized IP range. This > would reduce or eliminate the need for special proxy setups/unnecessary > proxy use and could improve the user experience. > > This is probably a problem for which many ad-hoc solutions exist on > campuses as well as solutions integrated into vendor-provided systems. It > would be nice, and beneficial to in particular LibX, but also presumably > other software that is facing this problem, to have a reusable service > implementation/response format that is easily deployable and requires only > minimum effort for setup and maintenance. Maintenance should be as simple > as maintaining a file with the IP-ranges in a directory, like many > libraries already do for their communication with database vendors or > publishers. > > My question is what existing ideas/standards/software exists for this > purpose, if any, or what ideas/approaches others could share. > > I would like to point at a small piece of software I'm sharing, which is a > PhP-based isoncampus service [1], a demo is available here [2]. If anyone > has a similar need and is interested in working together on a solution, > this could be a seed around which to start. Besides the easily deployable > PhP implementation, more efficient bindings/implementations for other > languages and/or server/cloud environment could be created (AppEngine comes > to mind.) > > - Godmar > > [1] https://github.com/godmar/isoncampus > [2] http://libx.lib.vt.edu/services/isoncampus/isoncampus.php > > ps: as a side-note, OCLC's OpenURL registry used to include IP-ranges as > they were known to OCLC; this was at some point removed due to privacy > concerns. I do note, however, that in general the ownership of IP-ranges is > public information, as are CIDR ranges, both of which are easily accessible > via web services provided by arin.net or by the regional registries. > Though > mapping from an IP address to its owner is not the same as listing IP > ranges associated with an organization (many include multiple discontiguous > CIDR ranges), I note that some of this information is also public via the > BGP-advertised IP-prefixes for an institution's (main-) AS. In any event, > no one would be forced to run this service if they have privacy concerns. > -- Owen Stephens Owen Stephens Consulting Web: http://www.ostephens.com Email: o...@ostephens.com
[CODE4LIB] Job: Systems Librarian at Trinity College
Responsible for planning, implementing, and supporting the Library's information technology systems and services. Ensures the successful deployment of our integrated library system (Voyager), interlibrary loan software (ILLiad), and other enterprise systems. Develops and maintains tools and applications to support, promote, access, and analyze library collections and operations. Provides leadership in evaluating opportunities for the introduction of new technologies that enhance library services. Technical skills: Experience maintaining an integrated library system, preferably Voyager; proficiency in using relational database management tools especially ODBC, MS Access, and SQL; ability to navigate a Linux operating system and understand and modify shell scripts and other automated operations; experience using text-based protocols such as SFTP and telnet/SSH; working knowledge of HTML and XML; familiarity with standard desktop software and hardware as well as audiovisual equipment; ability to develop dynamic web content using .NET Framework. Personal qualifications: Strong organizational, interpersonal, and project management skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; adaptability, creativity, and an aptitude to learn new technological tools and techniques. Preferred: ALA accredited master's degree in library science or equivalent experience. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references to resu...@trincoll.edu. Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/1005/
Re: [CODE4LIB] web video: best practices / workflow
Quoth Jason: > I've just written a script which takes source video, adds a common credits > snippet to each video, > and then wraps system calls to convert to MP4 and WebM. The script also takes > the first frame of the video to create a poster image. Is this a share-able script? That sounds like exactly the kind of workflow-management that I was hoping to find. (I checked out the AnyVideoConverter that Ed mentioned too. It does a nice job converting files, but it almost seems deliberately designed to be time-consuming. (It will let you generate 3 kinds of HTML5 video formats and outputs HTML code for each of them -- but it makes you do them sequentially, and then you've got to cut and paste the HTML code together, instead of letting you pick 1-3 output formats and generating one tidy code block.) So close... Ken
Re: [CODE4LIB] web video: best practices / workflow
Ken, I'm currently working on an HTML5 video project. It is not in production yet, but inline are a few notes on what I'm doing right now and think will work. > * Which formats do you typically include? Right now I'm only creating an MP4 and WebM. Once Firefox and Opera support H264, I'll probably drop WebM. The Flash fallback uses the same MP4, and fills the gap for older browsers. I also provide a download link to the MP4 just in case no in-browser player will work. I'm currently using the MediaElements.js player in order to have a similar look to the player even with Flash fallback and a single JS API. You may look at this comparison of players to see what you like: http://praegnanz.de/html5video/ > * How do you generate videos in those formats? To create the MP4 I use HandBrakeCLI. For WebM, I'm using ffmpeg. > * What kind of workflow for file creation makes this process > manageable. I've just written a script which takes source video, adds a common credits snippet to each video, and then wraps system calls to convert to MP4 and WebM. The script also takes the first frame of the video to create a poster image. I'd be interested to hear what others are doing for video delivery. Jason
Re: [CODE4LIB] web video: best practices / workflow
Ken, I can speak a little to the conversion and software aspects of your question. Any Video Converter (http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/) offers a free product that will convert virtually any video format to another format. They also have reasonably priced paid versions that would allow DVD conversion and more. The main thing is that once you captured it, you could tailor it to fit your needs. I hope this helps. Thanks, Ed Ed Finn, M.S. Instructional Technology Specialist Ruth Lilly Law Library Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law IH 131A 530 West New York Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317)274-1922 -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Ken Irwin Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 12:33 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] web video: best practices / workflow Hi folks, Our library is planning to post some video guides in the next little while, and I'd like to make it as simple-for-me and accessible-for-everyone-else as possible. Does anyone have a good handy guide/idea/workflow/etc on current best practices for presenting html5-happy video that has reasonably good cross-platform usability? (I'm thinking it needs to work in at least: IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, iOS, Android.) Here are some of the things I'm thinking about: *Which formats do you typically include? *How do you generate videos in those formats? *How do you know what codecs are in those files? *What (free if possible?) software are you using to accomplish this? *What kind of workflow for file creation makes this process manageable. I've been looking at Mark Pilgrim's book HTML5 Up and Running (O'Reilley, 2010), and it makes the whole process seem pretty arduous. I'm hoping that that the last two years have brought some simplifying developments. Pilgrim recommends the following formats (in failover order): H.264 mp4 WebM Ogg Theora His system for generating all of these files includes scads of software and tedious processes. Anybody have an easier and/or more up-to-date approach? Thanks Ken
[CODE4LIB] web video: best practices / workflow
Hi folks, Our library is planning to post some video guides in the next little while, and I'd like to make it as simple-for-me and accessible-for-everyone-else as possible. Does anyone have a good handy guide/idea/workflow/etc on current best practices for presenting html5-happy video that has reasonably good cross-platform usability? (I'm thinking it needs to work in at least: IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, iOS, Android.) Here are some of the things I'm thinking about: *Which formats do you typically include? *How do you generate videos in those formats? *How do you know what codecs are in those files? *What (free if possible?) software are you using to accomplish this? *What kind of workflow for file creation makes this process manageable. I've been looking at Mark Pilgrim's book HTML5 Up and Running (O'Reilley, 2010), and it makes the whole process seem pretty arduous. I'm hoping that that the last two years have brought some simplifying developments. Pilgrim recommends the following formats (in failover order): H.264 mp4 WebM Ogg Theora His system for generating all of these files includes scads of software and tedious processes. Anybody have an easier and/or more up-to-date approach? Thanks Ken
[CODE4LIB] isoncampus service
A number of web applications, both client and server-side, could benefit if it could be easily determined if a user is on or off campus with respect to accessing resources that use IP-address based authentication. For instance, a web site could show/hide a button asking the user to "log in," or a proxied/non-proxied URL could be displayed depending on whether the user is connecting from within/outside an authorized IP range. This would reduce or eliminate the need for special proxy setups/unnecessary proxy use and could improve the user experience. This is probably a problem for which many ad-hoc solutions exist on campuses as well as solutions integrated into vendor-provided systems. It would be nice, and beneficial to in particular LibX, but also presumably other software that is facing this problem, to have a reusable service implementation/response format that is easily deployable and requires only minimum effort for setup and maintenance. Maintenance should be as simple as maintaining a file with the IP-ranges in a directory, like many libraries already do for their communication with database vendors or publishers. My question is what existing ideas/standards/software exists for this purpose, if any, or what ideas/approaches others could share. I would like to point at a small piece of software I'm sharing, which is a PhP-based isoncampus service [1], a demo is available here [2]. If anyone has a similar need and is interested in working together on a solution, this could be a seed around which to start. Besides the easily deployable PhP implementation, more efficient bindings/implementations for other languages and/or server/cloud environment could be created (AppEngine comes to mind.) - Godmar [1] https://github.com/godmar/isoncampus [2] http://libx.lib.vt.edu/services/isoncampus/isoncampus.php ps: as a side-note, OCLC's OpenURL registry used to include IP-ranges as they were known to OCLC; this was at some point removed due to privacy concerns. I do note, however, that in general the ownership of IP-ranges is public information, as are CIDR ranges, both of which are easily accessible via web services provided by arin.net or by the regional registries. Though mapping from an IP address to its owner is not the same as listing IP ranges associated with an organization (many include multiple discontiguous CIDR ranges), I note that some of this information is also public via the BGP-advertised IP-prefixes for an institution's (main-) AS. In any event, no one would be forced to run this service if they have privacy concerns.
[CODE4LIB] Code4Lib Toronto Meetup
Hey All, Just a reminder that the first meetup is one week from now! Not sure if you're coming? sign up on the wiki anyway (a bigger reservation is better than too small of one) Again, if you don't have an account and you'd rather not sign up for whatever reason, just shoot me an email. http://wiki.code4lib.org/index.php/North#Code4lib_North_Meetups_in_Toronto Hope to see you there, Cynthia
