authentication for external users

[Robert Tiessen]

Currently, none of the computers in our Information Commons require
authentication to use.  In addition to our students, faculty and staff,
a number of external users use our facility.  Most of our licenced
databases have clauses allowing external users access when they are on
campus.  The few licenced databases that don't allow external users
access are authenticated for both on and off campus use.

Because of security concerns, we are moving towards authenticating use
of our computers in the Information Commons.  We particularly want to
discourage anonymous emails.  We would still like to allow external
users to have access to our computers, especially to have access to our
catalogue and licenced databases.  How have other libraries handled
this?  I am aware of some institutions, where a handful of computers are
set aside with no authentication for anyone to use, but this wouldn't
close the security hole for those computers.

Ideally, we would like some system for issuing temporary passwords that
would allow external users to use our on campus computers for a few
hours or a day.  Has anyone come up with a system like this?
-- 
Rob Tiessen
Head, Access Services 
University of Calgary Library
tiessen at ucalgary.ca
403-220-6043