Technologies

This page/section is a work in progress…
Currently divided into 3 sections. 

Section 1: Details from Douglas County Libraries

If all your libraries are on the same ILS, then using a discovery layer such as VuFind will be the way to go. And if you do that, we have all of the DCL VuFind code available to the public on Github. This code has all of the ACS hooks you need for an ACS +VuFind integration. All you will need is to purchase, and setup your ACS4 server which should take you about 2-3 weeks.

Basic Technologies:

  • Web Services
  • PHP
  • Java
  • APIs
  • XML
  • Apache
  • Tomcat
  • Databases: MySQL, Oracle, MSSQL
  • OS: Windows Server or Linux (We are using Windows and MySQL at DCL)
  • VuFind – code available at Github [Link 1] and [Link 2]

Architecture:

  • ACS Server (Packaging)
  • Fulfillment Server
  • Media Server

Linked here are our eContent Server Farm Layout (opens in new window) so you can see. ACS4 is straightforward to setup, but was a little complex to integrate with our ILS and discovery layer. But once we had it going, there has not been a whole lot other than populating our inventory and serving up the content to our users. You will also have to apply periodic updates as Adobe pushes those out at least quarterly. We have implemented a few automatic scripts so we don’t have to do any manual work, and that streamlines the workflow quite a bit. You can do the same based on your environment. Adobe provides you with sample scripts that you can use and customize for your needs.

We have provided references related to Adobe’s e-book platform, which consists of the following:

  • eBook Authoring Support – support for both PDF and EPUB files formats in authoring software including Acrobat, Adobe InDesign and other areas like XSLT transfer scripts, EPUB validation tools etc. (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/digitalpublishing/)
  • Adobe Digital Editions – this is the desktop client application for Macs and PCs.  This supports both encrypted and unencrypted PDF and EPUB eBooks (http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/)
  • Adobe Content Server 4 – this is the DRM server software which encrypts PDF and EPUB eBooks to Adobe Digital Editions and supported mobile devices (http://www.adobe.com/products/contentserver)
  • Reader Mobile 9 SDK – this is a source code SDK which allows device manufacturers and eBook reading software to render PDF and EPUB and supports Adobe Content Server 4 encryption (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/readermobile)
  • Supported Mobile Devices – a list of supported mobile devices which can read protected (with Content Server 4) for unprotected PDF and EPUB files can be found at (http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/devices/)
  • Adobe has recently engaged with two new partnerswho can directly assist interested organizations in acquiring more information about Adobe Content Server, getting set up with an evaluation, and licensing the product for commercial use.  Please reach out to the following partners below:
    • Datalogics Incorporated - ACSLeads@Datalogics.com
    • Bluefire Productions - ACSsales@bluefirereader.com

As far as EZproxy and GeoIP go, we are using both based on publisher requirements.

Section 2: Work being done by Marmot Library Network

Marmot is using exactly the same technologies as outlined above for DCL, with the exception of Windows servers, Oracle, and MSSQL.

For the foreseeable future, DCL shares one Adobe Content Server (ACS) platform with Marmot libraries, which are segregated as ‘distributors’ within the shared ACS platform.

In order for each Marmot member library to truly ‘own’ ebook copies, VuFind is being enhanced to preserve library-specific ownership marks, which enable the system to favor owning library patrons while at the same time making owned materials easy to share between libraries in a consortium configuration. Publishers have not balked at this model (yet) because the one-copy-one-user model still exhibits a degree of ‘friction’ publishers need for now.

Running on servers in Grand Junction (CO) VuFind at Marmot presents a seamless catalog discovery layer mashing up content from the following content servers:

  • Millennium at Marmot
  • Local content database at Marmot
  • Adobe Content Server shared by Douglas County Libraries
  • OverDrive (screen-scraping today, APIs asap)
  • NoveList, Syndetics, Google Books, Open Library, Amazon, and Wikipedia

Following agile software development principles, Marmot enhances VuFind, and releases new code every two weeks. Recorded demos and release notes are posted here: http://info.marmot.org/tiki-index.php?page=Vufind+Documentation

See Marmot’s version of an eContent server farm layout.

Section 3: Work being done by…Evoke Partners and Others

Are you a Colorado library that has implemented an interesting local model for delivering ebooks and other econtent? Contact Jim Duncan to chat. We want to help publicize the fantastic work you’re doing.