Access

[Kathy Wheeler]

Lissa Lord wrote:
> 
> The University of Iowa Libraries are assessing several major information
> products available via the Internet. 
> 
> My question to web4lib:
> 
> Is it possible for university staff and students to access these services
> when not at a campus computer with university IP address?

Our university uses MCI's Internet provider, and our student's and 
faculty have access to products that are limited by university IP 
address because as I understand it, when they sign up for an account 
they are given a university IP address. Now we do have problems with 
people who don't use that ISP. I don't, for example, because the 
price includes only 60 hrs of Internet access a month and I probably 
use the Internet more than that if you add in my husband's and my 
son's times.

> 
> The vendors say that we (university staff and students) cannot access the
> product from our off campus homes or offices.
> 
> I think that if our library pays $50,000 for access to a major vendor's
> product that members of the university community should be allowed remote
> access.
> 
> Why can't a password and ID sign-on system work?
> 
I think vendors are afraid someone who doesn't have access will get a 
password and ID, but I think if a vendor is going to expect a 
university to pay huge prices like what you're talking about, they 
should be willing to provide that access to the entire university 
community whether they are at home or on campus. It seems to me that 
vendors have only dealt with one side of the Internet -- they've 
looked at how to provide there databases, but they haven't really 
looked at who they'll be providing them to. A good portion of those 
clients wants access from home.


> One vendor wants even more money to implement such a signon system.
> 
> What is the truth in this access business?
> 
> Thanks for your help,
> 
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Lissa Lord                                   lissa-lord at uiowa.edu
> Team Leader, Research Services
> Information, Research, & Instructional Services (IRIS)
> University of Iowa Libraries
> 100 Main Library
> Iowa City, IA 52242                          319/335-5403
> 
> It's like Deja Vu all over again...Y.Berra
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
> 
> 
> 
> 
________________________________________________

Kathy Wheeler        kwheeler at jaguar1.usouthal.edu
Electronic Services       THAT'S JAGUAR ONE!
Library                      (334) 460-7025
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL  36688