Scripting Logins

[kay mary]

I've been noticing a surge in the use of passwording for sites that 
libraries might wish to link up as they begin to offer access to such 
objects as electronic journals.  At the same time, workload for systems 
staff becomes heavier all the time, so that expecting that group to take 
on a new task of custom scripting individual site logins is 
unrealistic.  

So I am begging advice from the able practicioners of 
web4lib, who have taught me so much.  How can access to web sites 
requiring logins and passwords be most easily set up, so that additions 
and maintenance can be done by the inexpert but willing worker?  Our site 
has authentication in place for licensed sites, but I'd like a way to 
mask passwords and also make this access simpler for the user by 
scripting the various logins.  How do others accomplish this for other 
than FirstSearch access?

I've looked at information on Webscript and Expect, but do not know 
enough to evaluate these alternatives.  I can call on technical 
help outside the library, but would like to provide some reasonable avenues 
to explore since those people are not accustomed to working with library 
problems.

Many thanks in advance for any help and advice with this problem, which I 
think is a common one!


Mary Kay
Humboldt State University Library - Collection Development
kaym at laurel.humboldt.edu