Systems

The Article Index list is a database of the Library's Online Resources and was developed by staff in Library ITS. Information is maintained with admin interfaces for ITS staff and librarians. Updates are done in real time through PHP and mysql. There are presently over 800 different products in it. The information can be sorted from any field. This would include title, vendors, type of material, subject. The databases as well as being included in any subject list can be ranked for utility in that subject.

• Full list of databases
• Sample 'Subject' List (Psychology)
• Sample 'Type' List (Newspapers)

NReg is a Microsoft Access database, designed to work as an inventory system for the information technology used in workstations in Libraries and Cultural Resources.

In NReg, all types of computer hardware, including bar code readers, computers, laptops, monitors, printers, projectors, scanners and other peripherals, are itemized in detail with specifications, model numbers, brand, purchase date and warranty information. Each unit of computer software is likewise inventoried with its name, version, purchase date and license information.

Each computer supported by ITS is tracked in NReg by its University of Calgary ownership tag number, with all components, such the connected monitor and any other peripherals. All hardware and software items can be moved in the system to accurately reflect each workstation's technology configuration, with changes over time. Repairs and other changes can be recorded and associated with a specific item or workstation setup. The system also allows for correctly identifying the software download specifically created for the hardware setup, as well as recording the network information and IP address needed for network access and security.

The NReg system can be connected to a selected workstation via remote control software for trouble-shooting and repair; as well, it can connect to a helpdesk system where it serves as a source of hardware, software and network information. Reports and queries are available features, useful for management and statistics.

Use of the NReg database is restricted to members of the ITS Desktop Services group, who are also responsible for its backup and maintenance.

In concert with Bibliographic Services, Library IT assists in the setup and software upgrades supporting electronic journal access.

The E-Journal List allows patrons to search journal titles to which the library either has a print subscription or electronic access via a database. The U of C Library has over 29,000 records in the list.

FileMaker Pro Applications are manqaged by ITS. The Management Article Retrieval forms, Photo bank, as well as FOIP documentation are housed there.

Gencat Applications is used as an archives management system by University Archives. Its use is internal and has no public interface. The Digitization unit manages the server and maintains all necessary software.

The University of Calgary's High Density Library (HDL) will open in 2010. The facility will use the Library Archival System software (LAS) developed by Generation Fifth Applications.

The LAS streamlines the input and circulation processes, manages the stored materials, preserves security, and provides patron and staff services.

There will be an interface written to pass library requests from the Integrated Library System, Symphony, to the Library Archival System. When a request is received by the LAS, the staff at the HDL will retrieve items requested and send them to the requested pickup location.

Library IT services presently manages the server and software upgrades necessary for Inmagic Software. Comm Media and Canadian Architectural Archives use the software for significant portions of their image collections.

The University of Calgary Institutional Repository, also known as DSpace, is a digital archive comprised of the University's intellectual output. Established and maintained by Libraries and Cultural Resources, DSpace serves to manage, preserve and make available the academic works of faculty, graduate students, and research groups. The collection includes faculty publications, masters and doctoral theses, as well as research output from across Southern Alberta.

Goal of the Institutional Repository at the University of Calgary

Libraries and Cultural Resources continues to support research and academic endeavors at the University of Calgary by way of preserving and providing open public access to scholarly information. The Institutional Repository is updated regularly, and new works are added to collections on a continuous basis. Our mission is to foster open access to research output, from both the University of Calgary and institutions in Southern Alberta, in a variety of document types and file formats.

University of Calgary's Institutional Repository

In 1995, the University of Calgary purchased a new library system, Sirsi's Unicorn Library Management System, to replace its previous IBM system, DOBIS. Today, Symphony WorkFlows from SirsiDynix, has replaced Unicorn as our Integrated Library System (ILS) and consortium management system, otherwise known to staff as "Sirsi".

The ILS software manages all technical and public services within the University of Calgary libraries and the consortial libraries of Ambrose University College, Bow Valley College and St. Mary's University College.

Administration of the ILS system is managed by the Systems Integration Group in ITS, along with the guidance of the Sirsi Management Team.

Bar Code Scanners are used by LCR staff for a number of purposes including the input of library user IDs and item IDs into Symphony. Bar code scanners are installed by Desktop Services, but support is also coordinated with Systems Integration staff, for use with the ILS.

Interfaces:

• Financial Interface: When new library materials are ordered, commitments made in the ILS are passed to another system: the Library Data Mart, via the Commitment Interface, for future comparison with the invoice. Invoices done in the ILS use the Payment Interface to transfer the information to the University of Calgary's financial system, PeopleSoft, for payment.
• Relais Interface: ITS has written an interface to load the ILS user database into Relais, LCR's interlibrary loan and document delivery software. A file of patron records is extracted daily from Symphony and then loaded into Relais, ensuring that patrons' access to Relais is current.
• User Interface: When University of Calgary students are registered, or staff or faculty are hired, the terms of their enrollment or employment are entered into the Student Administration or Human Resources databases in PeopleSoft, providing the information for the ID Card System. The ILS users' information is then updated daily via the interface with the ID Card System. New users are created, cards are replaced or cancelled and addresses are updated.

SelfCheck: Our self-service circulation units connect with the ILS using SIP2 protocol on the Symphony server, sending requests and responses to record the library item checkout transactions into the ILS.

Staff Help: Staff can obtain help in the ILS through extensive Help files. If there is a problem with Symphony, staff can contact ITS who may further report the problem to SirsiDynix. ITS may occasionally notify staff of instructions on the ILS Help page for updating the ILS, or for providing other information.

Statistics: There is an ongoing need for statistics and data to support various library activities both internally and externally. Using data from the ILS, statistical reports are regularly produced in ITS for these purposes.

Z39.50 is an American National Standards Institute communications protocol for the search and retrieval of bibliographic data in online databases. Z39.50 is used on the Internet to search the Online Public Access Catalogues (OPAC) of library holdings. Symphony's Z39.50 server conforms to version 3 standards of the Z39.50 protocol. For more information, see: Z39.50 Connection Specifications

ITS provides support and customization of the public requesting interface for Relais, LCR's interlibrary loan and document delivery software.

The Library Catalogue, otherwise known as "eLibrary", "I-Link", or the "OPAC" (Online Public Access Catalog), provides public access to the library collections of Ambrose University College, Bow Valley College, St. Mary's University College, the University of Calgary, and the University of Calgary at Qatar. It can be accessed at http://sirsi1.lib.ucalgary.ca/.

Library Labs and "electronic classrooms" in Libraries and Cultural Resources have fast computers fully loaded with the latest in production software for patrons to use. The Information Commons and classrooms in MacKimmie Library have over 200 computers; another lab in the Health Sciences Centre has more than 50, and there is a smaller lab in the Law Library. Additionally, there are computers for use in all public areas of MacKimmie Library, and at the other U of C Library branches including for hospital library users at 5 health Knowledge Centre locations.

The Desktop Services Group prepares and maintains all of the hardware and software for the approximately 350 public computers in consultation with the Information Commons Operating Group.

MultiSearch is the locally renamed product 360 Search from Serial Solutions. It is a federated search engine for searching across many of our library's electronic resources from one simple interface. MultiSearch provides citations and abstracts, as well as linking opportunities to full-text articles, electronic books, and records in our library's catalog. Library ITS administers and chooses products for inclusion based on statistically proven demand.

Network Connections in Libraries and Cultural Resources are managed by the Desktop Services group in ITS. Six subnets, one of those secure, are administered, with local assignment of static IP addresses, handling of dynamic address needs, and resolution of any conflicts or service interruptions.

The University Library uses Ezproxy for remote access to online resources. Clients can connect from anywhere in the world. Users authenticate using their university student, staff or academic credentials. In 2009 Ezproxy averages close to 45,000 sessions per month.

SFX is software that allows our clients to search multiple databases for an article or entry with the click of a button. Library ITS was involved with the initial setup and currently troubleshoots upgrades and all system components.

Summon is a new type of service or "discovery tool" that extends services provided by the library catalogue, to include journal articles, digitized material, full text, and more, in addition to books. Summon allows patrons to search across all the collections of Libraries and Cultural Resources (Library, Archives, Museum) along with scholarly material from thousands of publishers. ITS has made this Serial Solutions product available in a Beta version so that feedback can be obtained and improvements made. Access to Summon is from the Library web pages, or here: http://ucalgary.summon.serialssolutions.com.

The Library Web Services Group administers over 1200 pages and several websites within the University domain. With over 3 million page visits this year, the Library is *17% of the total traffic at the University of Calgary.

*Source: Google Analytics

The Workroom Booking System was developed in ITS for Libraries and Cultural Resources using "phpScheduleIt" software. Library users can book a workroom after logging into the system at http://webapps2.ucalgary.ca/~lcrweb/icWorkroom/.