library portals john akeroyd. portal definitions enterprise information portals are applications...
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Library PortalsLibrary Portals
John Akeroyd
Portal DefinitionsPortal Definitions
Enterprise Information Portals are applications that enable companies to unlock internally and externally stored information, and provide users a single gateway to personalized information needed to make informed business decisions
Definition of a PortalDefinition of a Portal– Gateway that provides a single
point of entry to information and tools
– Web-based aggregation point– Targeted user groups– “My” homepage– Easy– Accessible from anywhere,
anytime
Not all web-sites are portals
Functions of PortalsFunctions of Portals
Single touch point Content and document management Personalization —Integration — Collaboration —Authenticate only once
AuthenticationAuthentication
Most enterprise portals provide single sign-on capabilities to their users. This requires a user to authenticate only once. Access control lists manage the mapping between portal content and services over the portal user base.
Often LDAPShibboleth for 3rd part data
InteroperabilityInteroperability
Defined as: exchanging data via a common set of business procedures,
and to read and write the same file formats and use the same protocols
StandardsStandards
JSR 168 is the Portlet Specification Java Specification Request (JSR) from the Java Community Process (JCP). To enable interoperability between Java portlets and Web portals, this specification defines a set of APIs for portal computing that address the areas of aggregation, personalization, presentation, and security.
RepositoryRepositoryLearning
Repository Repository
Portal
User User
RepositoryResearch
RepositoryRecords
RepositoryBibiographic
UserUser
LDAP
Types of PortalsTypes of Portals
Enterprise wide: businessUniversity/student/staffLibrarySubject
Library PortalsLibrary Portals
Access to local resourcesAccess to remote resourcesLinks to other on site servicesPersonalised servicesCommon Authentication
Examples of PortalsExamples of Portals Library system based
– Metafind– Metalib– Encompass
Publisher based– Illumina– Scopus
Open source– OJAX; Ajax-powered metasearch service– OAIster
InteroperabilityInteroperability
R ep o s ito r y
O A I-P M HS erv er
R ep o s ito r y
O A I-P M HS erv er
R ep o s ito r y
O A I-P M HS erv er
R ep o s ito r y
O A I-P M HS erv er
L in k in gS er v ic e
O A I-P M HH arv es ter
Br o w s eS er v ic e
O A I-P M HH arv es ter
S ear c hS er v ic e
O A I-P M HH arv es ter
Service Providers
Data Providers
Open Archive Initiative – Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
Figure from Carl Lagoze
Connected IssuesConnected Issues
Back end management eg access to ejournal data
Open URLHarvesting: different model eg OAIChannels, RSS
Problems with Library portalsProblems with Library portals
Are thye neededAre they technically viableHow easy is it to integrate outputsCan they compete with Google
University ContextUniversity Context
Student portalsStaff portalsExpertise and Knowledge transfer
See Portal Trends in Higher Education by Brad Englert, Partner, Accenture February 19, 2003
RepositoryRepositoryLearning
Repository Repository
Portal
User User
RepositoryResearch
RepositoryRecords
RepositoryBibiographic
UserUser
LDAP
Student portalsStudent portals
Access– Records of results, marks, – Course content, handouts, papers– Finance/fees– Timetables– Welfare– Library and IT services
Services and Benefits for Services and Benefits for StudentsStudents
Services– Universities currently have a wide range of student-oriented services
View curriculum alternatives Access own records (exam grades etc) Access online library resources/databases
– Have further to go in offering transactional services Expected benefits
– Highest rated was improved services for current students Expectation gap
– Wide-range of services provided by universities may not all be wanted by students
– Students want services that are: Easy to use, reliable and fast Customizable Transactional
Key Findings: Student Centric
Services and Benefits for Services and Benefits for AdministrationAdministration
Services
– Access information such as:
University policies/procedures
Key grading/enrollment statistics online
Student recruiting Information
Expected benefits– First and foremost, help staff improve
services to students and faculty – Reduce administrative cost – Improve staff environment
Key Findings: Student Centric
Current Status of Portal Current Status of Portal DevelopmentDevelopment
Virtually all institutions (96%) are either planning, developing, or have already implemented a portal
Meeting Portal ObjectivesMeeting Portal Objectives
Most universities have started development
Most have a long way to go to meet their objectives– 60% said that their objectives had
evolved significantly in the past 2 years
Higher expectations Improved technology
Four universities met their objectives
Key Findings: Evolutionary
Key Reasons for Portal Key Reasons for Portal DevelopmentDevelopment
Improved service delivery, not cost savings, is the primary reason behind portal development.
Top Reasons For Portal Development (Multiple Responses)
0 5 10 15 20 25Maintain alumni network
Attract business / research partnersOffer distance / flexible learning
Engage / connect / build communityEnhance university image / raise profile
Attract studentsImprove administration efficiency
Offer personalized / customized / targeted serviceImprove service to students/staff
Integrate / streamline information & services
Number of universities
2319
1412
9
854
3
2
Key Findings: Improve Service
Challenges in Portal Challenges in Portal DevelopmentDevelopment
Main Challenges in Portal Development (Multiple Responses)
Lack of internal expertise / resources
Interoperability / legacy systems / integration of decentralized sites
Obtaining buy-in from all stakeholders / satisfy diversified needs
4
4
4
5
5
15
17
20
0 5 10 15 20
Other technology problems
Security issues / protection of student data
Time / speed
Over-ambitious goals
Cost / budgetary issues
Number of responses
Key Findings: Improve Service
Implementation and FundingImplementation and Funding How will universities develop their portal?
– 25% believe they are capable of completely ‘going it alone’– Most universities are using a combination of:
in-house resources buying in a number of packages tailoring package to meet their own requirements
– Half would consider outsourcing or using an external contractor for portal development
How will universities fund their portal? – 60% will increase budgets– 25% budget remain as-is– 15% reduce budgets
Key Findings: Tech Led
SummarySummaryFive major themes:
1. Portal development is evolutionary rather than revolutionary2. Improved service delivery, not cost savings, is the primary
driver behind portal development3. University portals’ strong emphasis on serving current
students better may risk under serving other key user groups4. In the main, portals are being technology led rather than user
led, with resources first directed to what is obvious and easy-to-do
5. Improving usage among key user groups will be accomplished through multiple approaches
Students will use portals if they work well
Summary
Portal FuturesPortal Futures
Enterprise information portals, which connect people with information
Enterprise collaborative portals, which provide collaborative computing capabilities of all kinds
Enterprise expertise portals, which connect people with other people based on their abilities, expertise, and interests
Enterprise knowledge portals, which combine all of the above to deliver personalized content based on what each user is actually doing.