[Web4lib] Restricting OPAC to just catalog and databases?

[Andrew]

Stacey,

There's a number of ways to do this (assuming Windows OS on your 
Internet stations):

1) Browser control: Products like Public Web Browser allow you to create 
"whitelists" of acceptable sites where you can limit which sites the 
browser will open.

2) Third-party security: There are third-party security products that 
you can install that will allow you to limit which sites users can access.

3) Filters and Proxy Server: You can run your browser through a filter 
or proxy server that will allow you to create a list of acceptable sites 
that users can access.

Which method will work for you will depend on how many computers you 
need to support, how much money you want to spend (if any) and what 
other considerations as far as installing software, network control, 
etc. might impact the preferred solution.

Personally, I use Public Web Browser and its whitelist functionality. We 
also use PWB because of the ability to customize and lock down the 
interface. It's also very similar to IE (it actually runs on top of IE) 
so the learning curve using it is very minimal.

http://www.teamsoftwaresolutions.com/

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI

Stacey McKim wrote:
> (Hi!  I'm sorry if this has already been covered, but I
> didn't have any luck searching the archives...)
>
> How do people restrict their OPACs to just their online
> catalog and subscription databases?  It's my understanding
> that there's software that does this... what do people
> recommend?
>
> More information about my situation, in case it matters: 
> this fall, we are finally upgrading from  dumb-terminal
> OPACs (with no online access).  We'll be installing Unicorn,
> with them hosting us remotely.  So, our in-house OPACs will
> essentially be free-standing internet stations.
>
> Thank you so much! 
>
> Novice ILS-installer,
> Stacey
>
> Stacey McKim
> Reference Librarian
> Marshalltown Public Library
> 36 North Center Street
> Marshalltown, IA 50158
> (641)754-5738
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