Enhanced features now include:

• New directive for use in LDAP authentication, which allows the search filters that are used in login to also be used when reading attributes.
• EZproxy now allows vector notation in the user.txt file, because the Innovative Interfaces, Inc (III) system patron API has changed to support multiple use of the same field. Previous versions of EZproxy would only retrieve the first value of the field--but now they can be specified in the array. For example, if the system has a field named "phone," the first instance might be home, the second might be work, and the third might be cell. Now EZproxy user.txt can access each as auth:phone[0], auth:phone[1], auth:phone[2], which gives the system more flexibility with contact information.
• The sample config.txt (generated by the -m command) has been updated to include more stanzas for OCLC resources. These additional stanzas make it easier and faster to add a new database to your configuration file.
• The signing algorithm for certificates has been updated to SHA1, which is more secure than the previous MD5.
• DisableSSLv2 directive now works as expected.
• There were a number of additional minor fixes to improve the overall stability of EZproxy.

OCLC encourages all EZproxy licenses to update to the latest software version to stay current with all enhancements to functionality.

Alternatively, OCLC is piloting a hosted EZproxy service, and expects to move the pilot into production in 2010. Any library running an older version of the software who is interested in moving to a hosted solution, please contact ezproxy@oclc.org. (Please note additional fees will apply for hosted EZproxy.)

Download EZproxy 5.2

Libraries are faced with the challenges of creating collections that cut across several subject areas and fields of study. Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of these collections is difficult. Classification systems do not treat these disciplines as a single subject, and interdisciplinary studies areas cross multiple subjects and call number areas. Now WorldCat Collection Analysis gives librarians the ability to assess their collections across areas of study, and compare their collection with their peers.

Some examples of interdisciplinary studies include:

• African American Studies combining literature, history, politics, religion, sociology, and so on
• Area studies Middle Eastern studies, East Asian studies
• Biomedical Informatics combining computer science, information science, informatics, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, biomedical science, medicine, healthcare
• Childhood studies anthropology, economics, history, sociology, literature, religion, fine arts and psychology
• Religious studies anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, history of religion and theology

And there are many other areas where new fields of study encompass multiple subject areas throughout the collection.

The interdisciplinary studies enhancement helps libraries:

• Define their own unique interdisciplinary studies areas, since one library area of study may not match another library area of study
• Easily navigate through the OCLC Conspectus and traditional classification schemes to identify titles in multiple subject areas
• Compare their interdisciplinary studies collection with peer libraries offering similar curriculum to identify overlaps and gaps

Now librarians can limit an analysis by Category and/or Subject in addition to Division. Library staff can also name and save their Subject Profiles and have them available for use in the future.

See more information, including steps to create an interdisciplinary studies assessment.

View a recorded presentation introducing the interdisciplinary studies enhancement to WorldCat Collection Analysis.

East View Information Services, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Minneapolis, USA, with major offices in Russia and Ukraine. With over 150 employees worldwide East View has developed a reliable and extensive acquisition network and is a leader in providing high-quality information resources from the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Asia and Middle East to libraries around the world.

For more information on East View, see http://www.eastview.com/.

Visit WorldCat Selection for more information.

See a complete list of partners, both current and forthcoming.

The 5.0 and above releases contain security enhancements, additional features for auditing and Shibboleth/Athens fixes that are unavailable in earlier versions. In addition, the administrative area in earlier versions varies widely and makes it much more challenging for libraries to troubleshoot.

"We want to make sure each EZproxy library has the best support experience possible," reflects Jim Grace, Director of OCLC Customer Support Services. "The 5.0 series is a robust version that offers improved functionality for libraries over previous versions."

OCLC encourages all EZproxy licenses to update to the latest software version to stay current with all enhancements to functionality, and can assist libraries who wish to update their licenses between now and June 30.

Alternatively, OCLC is piloting a hosted EZproxy service, and expects to move the pilot into production in 2010. Any library running an older version of the software who is interested in moving to a hosted solution, please contact ezproxy@oclc.org. (Please note additional fees will apply for hosted EZproxy.)

Download EZproxy 5.1c now

OCLC has invited four libraries to participate in the four-month pilot, which began in April 2009.

Pilot participants' feedback will help OCLC better understand the issues to support the hosted EZproxy service. As part of the pilot, OCLC will configure and maintain server operations, provide active monitoring and regular back-ups for off-campus access to of up to ten types of electronic resources, such as library databases.

The licensed, locally-installed version of EZproxy will continue to be available during the Hosted pilot. For more information or to indicate your interest in a hosted version of EZproxy should the pilot move forward, please contact OCLC.

Shibboleth defines a common framework for access management that is being adopted by education and commercial sectors across the world.

If you are a registered Federation member and wish to take advantage of FirstSearch through Shibboleth, you will need to first set up OCLC as an Identity Provider. The OCLC Service Provider entity ID is defined in the ukfederation-metadata.xml file as: entityID="https://shib.oclc.org/shibboleth".

Then contact OCLC UK Support to:

• Inform OCLC which Identity Provider entityID to use
• Request a FirstSearch authorization or specify which existing FirstSearch authorization is to be used. OCLC requires the eduPersonEntitlement attribute to specify which FirstSearch authorization to use. The entitlement string value to configure is: urn:mace:oclc.org:FirstSearchAuthorization.

Test the URL at: https://shib.oclc.org:2443/fs

For additional details on access options for FirstSearch, please see the related documentation.

The UK Access Management Federation for Education and Research is supported by JISC and Becta, and operated by JANET(UK). The federation provides a single solution to access online resources and services for education and research.

OCLC supports the Shibboleth project.

The presentation slides for this session which was presented at ALA Midwinter 2009, include:

• an overview of the service
• case studies illustrating how libraries are using the service to complete program assessment and accreditation processing
• information needed for self-study
• a step-by-step demonstration of how WorldCat Collection Analysis can be used to perform an assessment, including comparing a collection against aspirant peers to identify strengths, overlaps, and opportunities for improvement
• assessing collection usage and circulation statistics
• sources for additional information

As many of you know, library created comparison groups are automatically deleted after 120 days if not accessed. Unfortunately, we did not provide expiration dates to assist you knowing when your 120 days was approaching. The new enhancement (see example below) now provides expiration dates for each secondary comparison, which will remind you to access comparisons prior to the expiration date.

An expiration date is calculated when the comparison is first created, and displayed next to its link on the Data to Analyze screen. Any Comparison or Secondary Group that is not viewed on the Analysis Results screen for a period of 120 calendar days is automatically deleted.

Based in Amsterdam, Erasmus Boekhandel BV provides a wide range of library-oriented services to academic and research libraries throughout the world. These include a New Title Service, Approval Plans, EDI, MARC records and a specialized Standing Order Department. Technical services are tailored according to the needs of each library.

Located in the center of Paris, Librairie Erasmus supplies books and journals from France and French-speaking Switzerland to academic and research libraries throughout the world. Bibliographic information for new and forthcoming scholarly publications is provided through the New Titles Service. Additional services include Approval Plans, EDI, Standing Orders and MARC records.

Learn more:

• Erasmus Boekhandel BV
• Librairie Erasmus
• List of current and upcoming partners for WorldCat Selection

The session was sponsored by OCLC and Enquire, the People’s Network service provided by OCLC to support nationwide online library reference enquiries.  Enquire is currently manned by staff from over 80 public libraries across the country, including Edinburgh Central Library.

Louise Welsh has published three novels to critical acclaim “The Cutting Room” (2002), Tamburlaine Must Die (2004) and The Bullet Trick (2006).   She has also received a number of awards for her work including a Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Award in 2003.  Asked about her reaction to being involved in this event, Ms Welsh said:  “I found the experience exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to chat with people who didn’t have an opportunity to attend the Festival of Libraries in person, but nevertheless had the desire to engage with a ‘literary’ event.  I’ll certainly be using this forum myself in the future to ask questions of librarians.”

The session was hosted at Edinburgh Central Library, an active participant in the Enquire service.  Ian Kirkby, Senior Library Officer for the library said: “We wanted to offer an event that fired the imagination and allowed those who could not attend any of the many events at fixed venues during the Festival of Libraries Week here in Edinburgh to still take part.  Having done this exercise, we are convinced that we can use Enquire as a forum to enable further online ‘conversations’ between the public and the library and potentially with other local government offices.”

About Enquire
Enquire is a virtual reference service, delivering live assistance to information seekers via internet chat. Run by UK public libraries in partnership with OCLC, the service gives public library users access to a cooperative network of librarians who answer questions at any time of the day or night.
 

About Edinburgh’s Festival of Libraries
Is a week long programme of events planned across the city, from 8 November to 14 November.  There are over 50 different library and information services contributing to the festivities.