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BC ELN Connect at a Glance
In this issue of Connect we announce the release of Innovation & Success 2017 and BC ELN funding for 2018/19. We also focus on technology trends and how they impact our work, provide bite-sized service updates, and celebrate Korinne Hamakawa's ten years at BC ELN.
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Innovation & Success 2017
The BC ELN Innovation & Success 2017 Report is now available! The report shares achievements for the year and highlights the value BC ELN brings to the sector. Read the report at:
Innovation & Success 2017
Last fall the BC ELN Office surveyed partner libraries and spoke to a Ministry representative to learn what stakeholders value in our annual reporting. Innovation & Success 2017 was re-envisioned based on this input. Briefly:
- The report is more concise, linking out to pertinent information on the web;
- There are engaging visuals throughout, e.g. infographics, photographs, and a map of partner libraries;
- Projected financials are presented alongside the previous year's actuals.
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BC ELN Receives 2018/19 Funding
The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training has confirmed BC ELN's annual budget allocation of $485,417 for 2018/19. The Ministry appreciates BC ELN's "continued commitment to post-secondary education, providing excellent opportunities for students and supporting British Columbia's economy." Thanks goes to the Ministry and BC ELN partner libraries for all the support - funding, staff time, input, and feedback. We look forward to yet another productive year!
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What's Trending @ BC ELN
At a recent lively BC ELN staff meeting we explored Marshall Breeding's article Five Key Technology Trends for 2018 which addresses developing technology trends and how libraries might respond. Marshall notes that libraries may face significant technical and financial challenges while working to meet user needs and expectations. Here in British Columbia, BC ELN leverages resources across the sector to help post-secondary libraries overcome obstacles and embrace technological advances.
From a consortial perspective, we discussed how BC ELN services and projects are evolving in response to the trends outlined in Marshall's article: privacy and security, personal and social connections, the domination of mobile devices, cloud technologies, and microservices. We also marked a few things to keep 'on our radar.' The following is a summary of our conversation.
Privacy and Security
Breeding makes a strong case for the adoption of HTTPS (Secure Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol) in libraries to protect patron privacy. Most BC ELN websites (e.g. BC ELN, AskAway, OutLook OnLine, WriteAway) use HTTPS, which encrypts user data to prevent "eavesdroppers" from viewing web sessions. Likewise, when licensing software
on behalf of libraries, security is a high priority. QuestionPoint, the AskAway chat reference platform, uses HTTPS, as does Campfire, the behind-the-scenes instant messaging tool used by AskAway service providers.
Though not discussed in Breeding's article, the BC ELN Office is also investigating the implications of using Google Analytics, which tracks web search behavior. Open-source web analytics applications like Matomo, which is used by Arca and is hosted by BC ELN on Vancouver-based servers, are viable alternatives.
On Our Radar...
- Work to develop HTTPS for arcabc.ca
- Advocate for encrypted connections for eResources and services offered through BC ELN
- Evaluate the need for data collection via web analytics tools (i.e. do we need to collect this data, in this way?), and look for self-hosted options
Personal, Social Connections
Because personalized experiences on the web tend to rely on tracking search behaviors in some way, we discussed that this trend seems somewhat at odds with protection of privacy, a key principle for libraries.
Of BC ELN services that are accessed directly by end-users, AskAway and WriteAway offer one-on-one interactions that target a user's (usually a student's) specific needs. These services allow participating institutions to deliver personal experiences online, without compromising user privacy. OutLook OnLine, which supports interlibrary loans in the province, stores patron information on Canadian servers, and allows patrons to request items directly with a temporary login.
In terms of social networking, while BC ELN ultimately serves end-users, our network is really our partner libraries. We strive to connect with our peers through in-person and online meetings, our reports and quarterly eNewsletters, and through our Twitter account.
Domination of Mobile
We too found it difficult to imagine BC ELN partner library staff interacting extensively with our websites via mobile device. Licensing-related work, viewing invoices, and managing interlibrary loans are all activities most likely done via desktop computer. BC ELN communications are no exception: In a recent survey of our members, 95% of respondents said they looked at annual reports on a laptop or desktop computer. Even these e-newsletters are largely read via laptop or desktop computer.
But 14% - the percentage of users who view the BC ELN site via mobile device - is not insignificant. Recognizing the shift to mobile has occurred, BC ELN has strived to create responsive sites (BC ELN, AskAway, WriteAway, OutLook OnLine, Arca, and eHLbc sites  are all mobile-friendly). Many products that BC ELN and eHLbc license on behalf of partner libraries also have a responsive design. OutLook OnLine software allows patrons to submit requests via cell phone at Patron Initiated Interlibrary Loan activated sites.
On Our Radar...
- Consider indicating on web site which BC ELN products have mobile-friendly design and whether they can be accessed via mobile app
- Keep an eye on how students are seeking research and writing support via their libraries
Cloud Technologies
The topic of cloud computing brought out a nostalgic reminiscence from our Executive Director Anita Cocchia: "I remember when OutLook records were all on CD... The boxes were stored under my desk!" The technology of data storage has certainly changed since then. Cloud-based infrastructures offer cost and time savings that are highly attractive to consortia. Many of BC ELN's services (e.g. Arca, OutLook OnLine) are hosted in the cloud. Recently BC ELN has sought to maximize its relationship with administrative site Simon Fraser University by localizing hosted services. Advantages to this arrangement include in-house IT assistance, cost savings, strong performance, security, and hosting on Canadian servers.
On Our Radar...
- Build relationships with cloud hosting partners to offer more options for storing and accessing information in Canada
- Continue to advocate to vendors with US-based storage that investing in Canadian storage makes good business sense
- Partnering with vendors to promote cloud services (app implementation, training, enhancements, and fixes)
Microservices
What are microservices you ask? Until recently software was typically developed as one large chunk of code. Now software is being built in discrete, modular components.
At BC ELN we are seeing this trend in software development in our various services. Islandora (the platform on which Arca is built) uses a microservices architecture, and Auto-Graphics SHAREit (the software that powers OutLook OnLine) is also moving in this direction. Moving the BC ELN website to Drupal allows for a modular development process - something we are exploring with a refreshed billing system built using Drupal. The benefits for partner libraries: greater scalability of the software supporting BC ELN services, and quicker, easier deployment of enhancements and updates.
While Breeding uses microservices to describe an approach to software development, we ran with the concept and feel it is a good description for BC ELN as a whole. The consortium has grown to support a stack of services, each scalable to the needs of individual institutions. Partner libraries are free to select - a la carte - initiatives that further their goals and work within their unique infrastructures. With resources carefully distributed across services, BC ELN has capacity to grow in areas prioritized by the sector.
On Our Radar...
- Remain nimble and modular so that BC ELN can shift based on the quick pace of change within libraries and technology
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Arca
Brandon University has joined Arca, effective April 1st. Look for their new repository containing theses, journals, and faculty publications in the coming months. SSL certificates for all Arca sites have been acquired, allowing secure and encrypted browsing of Arca. All Arca traffic will soon switch over to HTTPS. Arca admins have embraced standardized usage and reproduction rights statements. Over the coming year we will be adding Creative Commons licenses and Rightsstatements.org URIs to Arca objects. |
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AskAway
Work will soon begin on future priorities: reviewing chat reference software, investigating proactive chat, and raising AskAway visibility.
Creating a consistent approach to citation questions... Teaching students to cite with confidence... Best Practices for Handling Citation Questions have landed!
A satisfied Selkirk College students says, "I LOVE THIS SERVICE! It is amazing to have, especially when writing papers at home."
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eHLbc
Members have successfully renewed an expanded eHLbc Core Suite, now including eBook Nursing Collection, for another four years. eHLbc continues to grow... Association of Registered Nurses of BC recently joined the consortial community. A new website and refreshed logo are right around the corner. Expect a launch in June. |
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Licensing
A new offer for Macleans Magazine Archive - in partnership with Consortia Canada - is now available. Contact the Office if you're interested in learning more. The Common Suite goes live on June 1st. Partner Library-selected upgrades will be confirmed shortly. Questions? Contact us. |
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OutLook OnLine
OutLook Online will be moving to SFU's new state-of-the-art secure cloud-hosting facility in May 2018. Spring means the OutLook OnLine Admin Centre is preparing for a union database clean-up project - stay tuned for more details and an update at the BCCATS Spring meeting. |
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WriteAway
WriteAway saw its busiest Spring semester ever, with more than 1,500 submissions between January and April.
BC ELN officially welcomes WriteAway to its growing suite of online learning services.
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Korinne Hamakawa Celebrates 10 Years at BC ELN
Time flies when you're having fun! BC ELN staff surprised Korinne, aka Client Support Superstar, with treats and goodies to celebrate her 10-year anniversary at BC ELN. Korinne is your go-to expert for questions about invoices or ILL stats. Congratulations on the milestone Korinne!
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