Library Quarterly Report FY17 Q2: October-December 2016

Spotlight: EZProxy Remote Authentication Takes Off!

"Access" is a key issue for VDOT database users. The screen above shows how our Virtual Library card gives patrons access to all subscription databases regardless of where they are or what kind of device/computer they are using. For more details see the Virtual Library Card section of this report.

Subscription resources require authorized access (historically requiring users to be at their VDOT desk, where they will be recognized by their IP address). The library has to be careful to balance access without violating contracts with database vendors. But the truth is, VDOT employees are all over the place using all kinds of devices. VDOT's workforce is increasingly mobile, and remote information seekers want access to premium full text resources without obstacles. That means access from home, from meetings, from their Smartphone or wherever they are.

EZproxy access and authentication software connects to many content providers, including OCLC, EBSCO, Knovel and others. Best of all it is "invisible."  When a VDOT user clicks a database from their work computer they get right in.  When they do the same from off the network they are prompted for their VDOT library card credentials. 

To date we have issued 1,400 library cards and around 10% of patrons have used them for remote database access. To date, those patrons have had a total of 811 login attempts, about 75% of which were successful. This quarter's reports indicate that 12 library patrons had 41 successful remote database logins and 5 failed attempts (typically due to typos in user names/passwords).