The USF Library’s Systems Department has been working hard behind the scenes to improve services for students, faculty, and staff! Here are some of our recent projects.
OpenAthens
The implementation of OpenAthens, the Library’s new authentication system to access online resources (databases, ejournals, ebooks, and streaming videos), entered its final phase at the end of last year. In support of this project, the Systems Department decommissioned the previous authentication system. As a reminder, this change in service requires everyone who shares permalinks to library resources through Canvas or elsewhere on the web, to check their links. If your links are broken or lead to errors, search again for these resources through the library site and update your links.
Server Migration
In December and January, the Systems Department worked closely with our Integrated Library System vendor and the USF ITS team to coordinate a migration of our library database and catalog to new AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud servers. This move will provide increased reliability and security, ensuring that our library catalog works consistently for our patrons and that our library staff can continue to provide excellent description of, and access to, library resources.
Workday Integration
With the recent implementation of Workday for many of the USF Human Resources functions, the Systems Department spent a lot of time working with the Workday team to ensure that the library continued to get accurate data and up-to-date patron records loaded into its library system. This work enables the library to have library accounts ready for new students, faculty, and staff so they can check out books and access the library’s electronic resources when they start at the university. It also means that existing patrons have their information updated correctly in our library system so that access to resources is uninterrupted.
Gleeson Web Interfaces Assessment
Efforts have begun to evaluate and assess Gleeson’s public web interfaces. This includes the main library website, as well as the various catalog and search interfaces. The Systems Department is looking at ways to improve the accessibility, usability, and responsiveness of these sites. This work will identify opportunities to improve online library services and overall user experience.