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Brown easyBorrow (beta) Brown University Library

October 2007

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What is easyBorrow?

easyBorrow is a simple interface for requesting books not available for checkout at the Brown University Library.

Instead of having to navigate different proprietary systems, each with its own search interface and login method, the user now searches once in WorldCat, authenticates once, and easyBorrow goes to work behind the scenes.

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What does easyBorrow do?

easyBorrow consists of a set of web services that..• authenticates the user• accepts a user’s request to borrow a book• sequentially queries multiple shared

resources systems for it or a similar edition• automatically places the request • informs the user of request details

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Brown’s easyBorrow works with multiple vendors’ services.

• OCLC WorldCat and Open WorldCat• ExLibris “SFX” open URL resolver• LDAP• Brown’s Innovative OPAC “Josiah”• Innovative patron API• Innovative INNReach system

“InRhode” (Rhode Island academic libraries)

• Sirsi-Dynix “URSA” direct consortial borrowing system“Virtual Catalog” (Boston Library Consortium)“Borrow Direct” (ivy league universities, except one)

• OCLC/Atlas ILLiad

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A screenshot tour of easyBorrow

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Brown users may request material via our OPAC, Josiah…

…or use any of three direct borrow systems ….

…or traditional ILL via ILLiad.

Each method has its own interface.

Brown users may request material via our OPAC, Josiah…

…or use any of three direct borrow systems ….

…or traditional ILL via ILLiad.

Each method has its own interface.

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easyBorrow provides a single interface for all.

The user performs one search usingOpen WorldCat’ssearch box.

easyBorrow provides a single interface for all.

The user performs one search usingOpen WorldCat’ssearch box.

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Making use of OpenWorldCat’s features,the user identifiesa book of interest,then clicks on thetitle.

Making use of OpenWorldCat’s features,the user identifiesa book of interest,then clicks on thetitle.

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The user clicks the “request this item” link.

The user clicks the “request this item” link.

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Behind the scenes, the program checks to see if a circulating copy is available at Brown.

If so, it displays this screen…

Behind the scenes, the program checks to see if a circulating copy is available at Brown.

If so, it displays this screen…

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…and then redirects to the OPAC display.

The user may choose to click the “Request This” button.

…and then redirects to the OPAC display.

The user may choose to click the “Request This” button.

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The search boxcan be placed onany web page.

This example is for something Brown doesn’t own, starting from the easyBorrow web page.

The search boxcan be placed onany web page.

This example is for something Brown doesn’t own, starting from the easyBorrow web page.

Scanning w

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When it is requested from WorldCat our repurposed open URL resolver is launched.

When it is requested from WorldCat our repurposed open URL resolver is launched.

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The user simply• enters Brown credentials• optionally supplies volume details,• and then clicks the “Place this request” button.

The user simply• enters Brown credentials• optionally supplies volume details,• and then clicks the “Place this request” button.

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The easyBorrow program checks for user authentication and authorization, then displays a screen confirming the request has been received, giving a reference number, and promising an email with details shortly.

The request interaction with the user is over, but the request has not yet been placed in any service.

The easyBorrow program checks for user authentication and authorization, then displays a screen confirming the request has been received, giving a reference number, and promising an email with details shortly.

The request interaction with the user is over, but the request has not yet been placed in any service.

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Behind the scenes easyBorrow checks each potential supplying system in sequence until an available copy is located, and then places the request for the user.

A service-specific email is sent, identifying the system in which the request has been placed and the reference number for it, with a link to it.

Behind the scenes easyBorrow checks each potential supplying system in sequence until an available copy is located, and then places the request for the user.

A service-specific email is sent, identifying the system in which the request has been placed and the reference number for it, with a link to it.

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The email link goes directly to the native patron interface, in some cases automatically logging into the user’s account. This allows the user to check the status of requests in that system.

The email link goes directly to the native patron interface, in some cases automatically logging into the user’s account. This allows the user to check the status of requests in that system.

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easyBorrow consolidates and streamlines requesting in multiple systems, but each system continues to stand alone, with its own user and staff interfaces.

To help negotiate and consolidate information on requests, we provide an easyBorrow user interface allowing a person to track requests.

easyBorrow consolidates and streamlines requesting in multiple systems, but each system continues to stand alone, with its own user and staff interfaces.

To help negotiate and consolidate information on requests, we provide an easyBorrow user interface allowing a person to track requests.

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The user interface lists items requested, and includes direct links to WorldCat and the various systems used.

The user interface lists items requested, and includes direct links to WorldCat and the various systems used.

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An interface for library staff is also being developed. It allows staff to monitor requesting, and will eventually include statistics.

An interface for library staff is also being developed. It allows staff to monitor requesting, and will eventually include statistics.

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The staff interface shows the progress of requests.

The staff interface shows the progress of requests.

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A click on “history”… A click on “history”…

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…displays the sequence and results of request attempts.

…displays the sequence and results of request attempts.

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Traditional interlibrary loan, using ILLiad, is the default service if the item is not available via any of the direct borrowing services.

Also, during the beta phase of easyBorrow, requests are routed directly to ILLiad if there is no ISBN in the WorldCat record, or if a volume of a work is wanted.

Traditional interlibrary loan, using ILLiad, is the default service if the item is not available via any of the direct borrowing services.

Also, during the beta phase of easyBorrow, requests are routed directly to ILLiad if there is no ISBN in the WorldCat record, or if a volume of a work is wanted.

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For statistical purposes we created an ILLiad rule that routes easyBorrow requests into a special queue.

If the user does not already have an ILLiad account, one is created automatically using data temporarily collected by easyBorrow.

For statistical purposes we created an ILLiad rule that routes easyBorrow requests into a special queue.

If the user does not already have an ILLiad account, one is created automatically using data temporarily collected by easyBorrow.

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easyBorrow Architecture

• Uses Service-Oriented Architecture principles• The PHP layer handles user and staff screens,

gets additional user data via OPAC API, and creates database records.

• The Python layer checks for new database entries, manages calls to Java tunnelers, updates database with request history, and sends confirmation emails.

• The Java layer provides APIs for authentication and for each borrowing service

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Forthcoming Features

• Show non-circulating copies available at Brown• User selection of preferred pickup location• User indication if other editions are OK • Methods to handle non-ISBN items

– web service to identify other editions with ISBN– search using WorldCat accession number– title/author/date matching

• Use xISBN to search for similar editions at Brown and on direct borrow plans

• Interface from OPAC, repeating search in easyBorrow.• Capture and redirect non-supplied items back to

easyBorrow for requesting on another service.• Staff interface for statistics.

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Brown easyBorrow Team:Bonnie Buzzell, Senior Knowledge Management Librarian

Birkin James Diana, Unix ProgrammerBart Hollingsworth, Information Delivery Services LibrarianJean Rainwater, Co-leader, Integrated Technology Services

Project information: http://dl.lib.brown.edu/its/software/easyborrow/

Brown University Library, Providence, RI