InC-Lib-Vendor

["Kent Percival" <>]

Dave,

I’m not that familiar with Summon either, though I’ve skimmed the website.  Some librarians here describe is as a replacement for the library resource database and search engine … one just replaces the search box process in the library portal with a link to Summon.  From a library management point of view, Summon seems to take away the issue of authentication – just set up the links in the portal and let users go.  (I suggested that the contract with ProQuest would likely require controlling access to the library portal!)

 

The question that was raised with me is that since they seem to be aggregating and providing links to resources in other publishers resource libraries, what are the protocols similar to those that I talk about here – e.g. Ezproxy and  Shibboleth.  My suspicions is that the arrangements between the content providers and aggregators is handle more at the bi-lateral (one system to another) contract level and authn per user is not necessary.  Again this creates another push-back – why should the library need to worry about authn on links to providers.  … and that argument circles back to the open-access-to-library-resources debate.

 

I don’t want to turn this into a long discussion now.  Our focus is on EXproxy and Shibboleth.  However, we need to understand that there are alternative models in the digital content resources industry and other use models favoured by librarians.  Perhaps the other use-case team can shed some light on where Ezproxy/Shibboleth fits in the long run.

 

....Kent

 _

 

From: David Kennedy [mailto:]
Sent: August 6, 2009 23:16
To: Kent Percival
Cc:
Subject: Re: [InC-Lib-Vendor] Keeping up with the industry

 

Kent,

I am unfamiliar with Summon.  Does it store the content locally or just index the content locally?  I wonder with aggregators if there will still be linking out to content (full text) that is stored elsewhere and still require authn.

Dave

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David Kennedy
Systems Programmer
Perkins Library, Duke University
(919) 613-6831

From:	"Kent Percival" <>
To:	<>
Date:	08/04/2009 01:24 PM
Subject:	[InC-Lib-Vendor] Keeping up with the industry

 

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I’m just back from vacation and catching up on conversations.  Congratulations to Dave and the team. The vendor engagement and data collection has been very productive.  I’m learning a lot about vendor interest and status.  The data will provide a good resource to library IT support.
Beyond the list of vendors we are working with, there appears to be a dizzying array of businesses in the digital library industry.  Besides the publishers (Thomson-Reuters, Elsevier, etc.) there are also a number of “aggregators” providing federated search and access to the basic publisher content databases.  They are developing API’s and interconnection architecture that also link local library resource and other databases into a single virtual search space.  
One application that I’ve had a recent introduction to is Summon® from SerialSolutions, a ProQuest company.   The “Standards” tab on the home page describes a list of standards and standards partners they are working with.  Some of these relate to the transparent linking of library applications and resources.  While Access Management is mentioned, there is no reference to Shibboleth/InCommon.  However, I was told verbally that they are talking with Google about OpenId among other things.
Originally our library and others were concerned about direct access to the base content at the publishers.  Lately however, there is much more talk about utilizing aggregators rather than trying to maintain in-house search and link capabilities (including EZproxy) … essentially outsourcing services to the “cloud” to be able to offer leading application tools.
Our project is focused on enhancing the use of EZproxy with the addition of the access management middleware of Shibboleth.  However, I believe we need to be aware that the industry may be moving quickly beyond the EZproxy model.  A future Ineternet2/InCommon project needs to figure out how Shibboleth (more generally SAML) plays with the newer models and standards developed by the industry.
 
....Kent
 _
 
From: David Kennedy []
Sent: July 31, 2009 11:46
To:
Subject: [InC-Lib-Vendor] ** Vendor subgroup call canceled for today **
 
My apologies for the very short notice.  I am not able to make the call today and am canceling it.  

Our next call will be next Friday, August 7th at 1PM EST.

Dave

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David Kennedy
Systems Programmer
Perkins Library, Duke University
(919) 613-6831