Swansea University uses a combination of open source and proprietary software for its library management and access systems. This includes Ex Libris software alongside open source discovery tools like VuFind and Xerxes. OpenAthens is used for authentication and single sign-on across systems. There is potential for more collaboration in Wales using open source consortial library management and discovery solutions as organizations merge and seek shared services.

1. Information Services and Systems
Open source and access
management:
the Swansea experience and the
wider potential
Mark Hughes
Head of Collections
Swansea University
FAM11

2. Information Services and Systems
Swansea Setup
• Library Management System
• Ex Libris Voyager
• Open URL linker
• iGetIt (Ex Libris SFX)
• Federated Search
• iFind Research (Ex Libris
Metalib)
• Discovery layer
• iFind Discover (VuFind)
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3. Information Services and Systems
Swansea Authentication
• OpenAthens LA (Local Administration)
• Version 2.1
• 2 servers: Runtime & Admin
• Both running CentOS
• Connect to internal LDAP directory
• OpenAthens SP (Service Provider)
• In testing
• Installation on Ubuntu Linux
• ..more later!
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4. Information Services and Systems
OpenAthens LA
• Managing service = much simpler
• Less training overhead
• ..supported by Collections Services &
Systems team
• Closer to Front Line services = Quicker fixes
for problems
• Increased ‘development’ time & resource
available
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5. Information Services and Systems
OpenAthens SP
• Provides authentication to our own services
• Consolidated login: iFind Discover &
Research
• Data merge VuFind & Metalib to provide
single user portal
• Use of Xerxes
• Consistent look & feel
• Homogenised user experience
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6. Information Services and Systems
Open Source: VuFind
• ‘Library Resource Portal’ =
OPAC replacement
• ‘Next Gen’ functionality
• Current v1.2
• Drivers to most LMS’
• Detailed development http://vufind.org/
roadmap
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7. Information Services and Systems
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8. Information Services and Systems
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9. Information Services and Systems
Open Source: Xerxes
• Open Source Library Portal
• Current version 1.8
• v2 compatibility :
– Metalib
– Solr
http://code.google.com/p/xerxes-
– Summon
portal/
– Primo Central
– Ebsco Discovery
– Worldcat
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10. Information Services and Systems
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11. Information Services and Systems
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12. Information Services and Systems
Collaborate to survive
• Sector re-organisation
• ..mergers, mergers everywhere
• Co-operative agenda
• WHELF strategy
• Shared Service Feasibility Study
• Open source / Proprietary /
Blended *all* options
• ‘A Cloud for Wales’
http://xkcd.com/210/
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13. Information Services and Systems
Open Source: a cloudy future?
• Consortial LMS
– Evergreen? www.Open-ils.org
– Kuali OLE? http://www.kuali.org/ole
• Consortial ERM
– E-Matrix?
http://code4lib.org/files/ematrix.ppt
– CUFTS? http://researcher.sfu.ca/cufts
• Consortial Discovery
– VuFind? http://vufind.org
– Blacklight?
http://projectblacklight.org/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7125
• ..many, many more options 6895@N00/3579854382/
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14. Information Services and Systems
Thank You...Questions?
m.j.hughes@swansea.ac.uk
@Mark_H_Swansea
www.netvibes.com/Mark_H_Swansea
FAM11