Browsing by Author "Texas Digital Library"
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Item A Consortial Response to Data Sharing: The TDL Data Management Pilot Project(2014-03-25) Hanken-Kurtz, Debra; Texas Digital LibraryIn February 2013 the federal Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a mandate requiring federal funding agencies that spend at least $100 million per year on research and development to mandate public access to the metadata, published research, and data outputs that result from this funding. In response to the OSTP mandate and to the stated needs of its member libraries, the Texas Digital Library began to plan for a consortially developed and run data management service that would meet the requirements of the mandate and position libraries to play a crucial role in on-going conversations about data management at their universities. A working group of representative TDL member schools and the Texas Advanced Computing Center began meeting in Fall 2013 to create a cross-institutional pilot project to ingest and make data accessible on the web. The goals of this pilot are: To create services that meet emerging federal requirements for data and research publication for federally-funded research projects. To design and integrate a system for curating and managing data that support novel interdisciplinary research. To design services that will support the dissemination of research to the public in ways that are useful and effective in meeting the goals of the member institutions. The group is working with environmental science research groups identified at Texas A&M University to ingest data in a variety of formats, develop and apply metadata to maximize discovery, measure access and usage, and track costs. The project will build on existing TDL technologies and resources, including hosted DSpace institutional repositories, DuraCloud, and large-scale storage at the Texas Advanced Computing Center. It will deploy these resources strategically to develop a working service and identify areas of need for future development. The pilot project will be completed in the fall of 2014. This presentation will provide an overview of the project and the group’s assumptions in taking it on, our progress to date, and information about the challenges faced thus far.Item Developing the DPLA Texas Service Hub, v.2. Collaboration to build the next generation aggregator for Texas(2017-05-25) Steans, Ryan; Park, Kristi; Woodward, Nicholas; Tarver, Hannah; Hiott, Judith; Halbert, Martin; Texas Digital Library; University of North Texas; Houston Public LibraryIn 2016, the Texas Digital Library received an LSTA grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to develop a prototype of a new Service Hub for Texas which will provide metadata from collections across the state to the Digital Public Library America. Teaming with the University of North Texas, home to the Portal to Texas History and the Houston Public Library, TDL has undertaken the challenge to collect and share the metadata of the incredibly diverse landscape of repositories and databases from across Texas. This presentation will share the goals and mission of the pilot and the community of libraries and archives supporting the effort. We will discuss how TDL evaluated existing and potential technologies by interviewing existing Service Hubs across the country, and how we eventually settled on our choice of technology, a description of the pilot and partners, and discuss how we believe our service will be deployed. In addition, we’ll discuss plans for a Texas-centric discovery layer, intended to promote the riches of Texas in a spectrum of repositories.Item Developments and Innovations in the Vireo 4.x ETD Submittal System(2016-05-26) Larrison, Stephanie; Krumholz, Gad; Creel, James; Huff, Jeremy; Welling, William; Mathew, Rincy; Hahn, Doug; Bolton, Michael; Steans, Ryan; Texas State University; Texas A&M University; Texas Digital LibraryThe Vireo ETD (Electronic Thesis and Dissertation) Submission and Management System began service in the graduate office at Texas A&M in 2008. An open source software project, Vireo has now been deployed at over a dozen universities in Texas and almost as many outside of the state, and is used to process thousands of theses and dissertations every semester. Developed primarily as a collaboration of Texas A&M University Libraries and the Texas Digital Library, new features and changes originate from – and are approved by - the Vireo Users Group, a nation-wide community of practitioners from both libraries and graduate schools. This community effort has resulted in the release of new versions of the software on a continual basis. The current release in deployment is Vireo 3.0.5. As practices have matured, needs and expectations of students, administrators, and libraries of record have evolved and the community has become aware of the potential for more robust uses of the software. In Summer 2016, Vireo 4 will undergo its beta release and first deployments. This latest version involves a fundamental reimagining of the flexibility and power of the system. Customers of the Vireo software have come to recognize the diversity of needs among various schools, programs, and departments, and version 4 addresses these needs with highly customizable workflows that can be applied at any level from the institution to the specific degree. In a related initiative, input forms can now be customized with controlled vocabularies to enhance discipline-specific metadata and facilitate knowledge-capture from authors at the time of submittal. Finally, the software is being migrated to a modern web-framework using Spring Boot and Angular.js. The reimagined functionality has meant that the migration is more than a simple re-write, and required software developers to devise a novel, highly sophisticated data model to efficiently support new dynamic use cases. This presentation will discuss the workings of the Vireo User Group and the major changes this will mean for Vireo as a tool and for users. We will discuss the software development process, technical decisions made among the development team in conjunction with the Co-Chair of the Vireo Users Group, and the plans surrounding the 4.0 release.Item Diving into Data: Implementing a Data Repository at the Texas Digital Library(2016-05-26) Thompson, Santi; Park, Kristi; Donald, Jeremy; Herbert, Bruce; Quigley, Elizabeth; Buckner, Sean; Kaspar, Wendi Arant; Lauland, Nick; Peters, Todd C.; Rodgers, Denyse; Smith, Cecelia; Starcher, Christopher; Uzwyshyn, Ray; Waugh, Laura; University of Houston; Texas Digital Library; Trinity University; Texas A&M University; Harvard University; Texas State University; Baylor University; Texas Tech UniversityThe need for Data Management services is one of two large‐scale needs consistently expressed by members of the Texas Digital Library (TDL), a consortium of academic libraries throughout the state. In particular, members are seeking a repository that offers researchers a platform for publishing, citing, reusing, and preserving research data. In response to this need, TDL has formed a series of working groups aimed at building a statewide data repository. This panel session presentation will document the work of two TDL working groups focused on the storage and accessibility of research data, as well as connect their efforts to a growing number of research data repositories worldwide: The first group, the TDL Data Management Working Group, selected a platform to act as the statewide repository. Panel presenters will outline the group’s methodology, including the development of researcher use cases and system evaluation criteria and the testing of Dataverse, an open source platform for research data sharing and management developed by Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS). They will also highlight the results of these efforts and discuss why the group recommended that TDL and its members implement the Dataverse repository. Secondly, presenters will share the current activities of the TDL Dataverse Implementation Working Group, which is charged with launching an instance of Dataverse as the statewide data repository for Texas. Updates will focus on the work of four subgroups (Budget and Business Model, Policy and Governance, Technical Configuration, and Workflow and Outreach) as well as the results and lessons learned from an initial pilot launch of the software in Spring 2016. Finally, a representative of the Dataverse project from Harvard IQSS will situate the TDL Dataverse project within a wider community of Dataverse implementations, both at Harvard and elsewhere across the globe. As more institutions consider launching a repository for research data, our panel presentation offers important lessons that others may value. Attendees of our session will learn more about the assessment of data repositories, including potential methods and criteria for evaluating systems, as well as the challenges and benefits to building a collaborative, consortial data repository.Item DuraCloud™ and Flexible Digital Preservation at the Texas Digital Librar(2015-04-27) Steans, Ryan; Krumholz, Gad; Hanken-Kurtz, Debra; Texas Digital LibraryThe Texas Digital Library is now offering preservation service via DuraCloud™, an open source technology developed by DuraSpace. In 2014, the membership of the TDL formed a Working Group to explore the software and define best practices, given the diverse approaches to the issue of preservation. In January 2015 we first announced the service and made the service available in Spring of 2015. In this presentation, the Texas Digital Library will describe how our implementation of the DuraCloud™ software provides multiple upload options for preservationists through a selection of interfaces and tools intended to serve a variety of audiences, from librarians at their desktop to server administrators working at the command line. We will describe how DuraCloud™@TDL fits in to varying environments as a primary or third party preservation solution, and we will also define the array of options for durable, reliable storage infrastructure for preservationists in the care of the unique collections of their institutions. Looking forward, TDL will discuss the issues regarding preservation management and challenges we are addressing with users such as format management and metadata management within DuraCloud™@TDL. TDL will present planned next steps for additional services such as integration of DuraCloud™@TDL with DSpace, using DuraCloud™ as a platform for utilization of the Digital Preservation Network, and the potential for using DuraCloud™ to serve content to the public. We will be joined by representatives of DuraSpace who will present information about the ongoing development of DuraCloud™as well as future plans for DuraCloud features/functionality and integrations. In addition, TDL and DuraSpace will discuss how TDL community activities tie to the broader trends of DuraCloud customer use and the joint efforts between the two organizations to create resources and best practices around preserving content in a cloud environment. Lastly, ways in which TDL and others can assist development as part of the DuraCloud user-base and the overall DuraSpace community will be highlighted.Item Embedding A Digital Repository within the Texas A&M University Library Web Services(2008-06-09) Leggett, John; Tarpley, Jeremy; Ponsford, Bennett; Phillips, Scott; Mikeal, Adam; Maslov, Alexey; Messinger, Tina; Armstrong, Tommy; Creel, James; Texas A&M University; Texas Digital LibraryThe development and deployment of the Manakin theme for the digital repository at Texas A&M University provides an informative case study in embedding DSpace repositories within an institutional web presence. Last year, the Texas A&M University Libraries began a redesign of the existing web interface in accordance with a new institution-wide branding initiative. A collaborative effort between administrators, designers, and developers has yielded a look and feel for the institutional repository that integrates seamlessly with the library's and university's other web services while providing the unique functionalities required by various and diverse collections. The use of Manakin themes ensured that the development process was modular and employed well-established web development techniques and technologies. The design of the digital repository theme began with consultations between library designers and TAMU branding authorities. The designers used Photoshop to produce mock-up pages for primary use cases with colors, fonts, and graphics that adhered to the institutional branding mandates while satisfying usability heuristics. These designs underwent iterative refinement with comments from administrators and developers. When all parties were satisfied, the design team translated the images into HTML and CSS mock-ups for web browser rendering. Designers handed off the HTML code to the Manakin theme developers, who coded XSL to produce such HTML from XML DRI data generated from the repository. Developers coded additional Javascript to implement the UI vision of the designers. Developers produced two Manakin themes of different specificity - A theme for the repository in general, and one that specifically applied to the Geologic Atlas of the United States map collection. That theme, known as "Geofolios," employs the Yahoo! Maps API and Google Earth overlays to allow patrons to browse the collection in the context of manipulable maps indicating the geographic context of the folios. In summary, embedding the digital repository in the institutional web presence required no more effort than other XML-based content would have. The pre-development design process and use of XSL transforms are standard practices in institutional web development. Manakin's ability to apply themes to specific content enabled a neat separation of development between the Geofolios theme and the general theme. THe augmentation of additional collections with customized interfaces in the future would be a similarly modular activity. Importantly, the use of Manakin themes provides a seamless integration between the repository and the library's existing web presence, reducing patrons' cognitive overhead in navigating between the repository and other services.Item ETD Management in the Texas Digital Library(2008-06-09) Brace, Tim; Mikeal, Adam; Paz, Jay; Phillips, Scott; McFarland, Mark; Leggett, John; Texas A&M University; University of Texas at Austin; Texas Digital LibraryOne of the earliest TDL initiatives was a federated collection of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) from across the state. There are currently four schools contributing over 4000 ETDs per year, and with 16 participating member schools in TDL, this number is continually increasing. A diverse set of content contributors introduces problems of inconsistent metadata and incompatible storage and access methods, making it difficult to offer effective tools and services. This situation drove the decision to create a common system for managing the entire life-cycle of ETDs, from the point of ingestion to final publication. ETD management fits nicely with the other services offered by TDL, and a single point of ingestion is appealing for both technical and economic reasons. In 2007, we reported on the status of the functional system prototype. Much progress has been made toward implementation of this system, starting with the majority of the development, and leading to the demonstrator event that is currently taking place in spring 2008 at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. This presentation discusses the ETD management system from a functional point-of-view, starting with the student interface for ETD submission (the ingestion point into the repository), and then covering the administrative interface used by university staff members for managing the iterative verification workflow. Finally, we will discuss the requirements for moving forward into a production environment. These include testing and scaling the system to handle the large numbers of users dispersed over a significant geographic area (Texas is the third-highest producer of PhDs in the United States). Rough timelines will be discussed for deployment, first at Texas A&M and the University of Texas, then as the system is gradually expanded through a program of beta testers, and finally into open enrollment.Item Shibboleth in the Texas Digital Library(2007-05-30) Paz, Jay; Texas Digital LibraryThe Texas Digital Library (TDL) is taking advantage of the Shibboleth architecture to authenticate and authorize its users within its services. During the beginning of this year we have worked with UT Austin and Texas A&M Universities to create a TDL Federation and setup Identity and Service Providers at both locations. It is our goal to have each participating institution to join the TDL Federation and install an Identity Provider. This will allow each of the TDL services to be accessible to the entire set of member institutions. The presentation will describe the federation, identity and service providers, and describe their current implementation within the TDL Repositories Project.Item TDL as part of the Digital Preservation Landscape(2017-05-24) Mumma, Courtney; Texas Digital LibraryThe Texas Digital Library is refining our Digital Preservation services and offering them to our members in the context of the greater digital preservation landscape. TDL aims to offer flexible, interoperable, and sustainable digital preservation services for our partners’ diverse holdings that are tethered to good practices. To do this, we want to help our members accomplish their local preservation goals in alignment with existing frameworks like the NDSA Levels of Preservation and the OAIS reference model. TDL continues to offer modular digital preservation services as a result of our new and existing partnerships. We will provide guidance about how such a wide range of technological options allows members to select how they’d like to ensure the longevity of their prized digital collections, acknowledging that not all content requires the same digital preservation treatment. TDL partners include custodians for a range of heritage content, and we want to help situate their current and aspirational workflows within TDL offerings. To illustrate this goal, we will discuss how some TDL members have applied DuraCloud storage services and how they select content for integration with the Digital Preservation Network.Item TDL Infrastructure within Amazon Web Services(2016-05-26) Bradley, Effie; Texas Digital LibraryTexas Digital Libraries(TDL) is a consortium of libraries from twenty-two Universities within the State of Texas. In 2010, TDL was among the first in Digital Libraries to move to cloud based infrastructure. TDL has over one hundred servers running within Amazon Web Services(AWS), providing online publishing and preservation services. AWS is a secure cloud services platform, offering compute power, and flexible storage solutions. In a traditional model of buying hardware, the resources needed must be determined ahead of time, with a lengthy purchasing process. This process would need to be repeated if demands on resources grow, and as the hardware ages. AWS gives TDL and it’s members the flexibility to choose the appropriate mix of resources for our applications, and allows us to quickly scale up or down when application requirements change. TDL continues to explore the ever evolving landscape of cloud technologies. In this presentation we’ll take a look at the TDL Infrastructure within AWS, and what new possibilities lie on the horizon.Item TDL Systems and Support: Developing Our Connected Future(2012-05-25) Steans, Ryan; Texas Digital LibraryThis presentation discusses Texas Digital Library (TDL) staffing changes, the helpdesk, software, and systems.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-02) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: Texas A&M University at Qatar establishes a new institutional repository; TDL Governing Board meeting in Austin; digital treasures at the University of Texas at Dallas; TDL training registration is now open; upcoming conferences; new team members join the TDL.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 2, March 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-03) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on the Journal of Texas Women Writers; 2009 Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL) set for May 27-28; TDL training opportunities still available; Texas A&M hosts symposium on the future of scholarly communications.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 3, May 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-05) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL offers a fix for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs); membership update; 2009 Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL); upcoming TDL training opportunities; information meeting at Baylor University.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 4, Special Issue(Texas Digital Library, 2009-06) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: 2009 Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL); special forums at the 2009 TCDL; report on the TDL at Open Repositories 2009.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 5, July 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-07) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on the Texas Learning Objects Repository; TDL welcomes new Chief Technology Officer; TDL summer training begins in July; a new TDL blog; update on Vireo; how to join the electronic theses and dissertation (ETD) listserv; TDL help desk information.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 6, August 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-08) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research; new software developers join the TDL; Texas Electronic Theses and Dissertations Association (TxETDA) holds September committee meeting in Waco; TDL offers training sessions in August and September; Vireo update as the project nears completion.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 7, September 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-09) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on developers reaching key milestone on TxLOR; TDL welcomes new software developer; Texas Electronic Theses and Dissertations Association (TxETDA) holds meeting in Waco; fall training sessions with the TDL; TDL offers technical support through helpdesk.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 8, October 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-10) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on the TDL and LEARN strategic partnership; University of North Texas (UNT) releases new features for The Portal to Texas History; progress continues on TxLOR, Vireo, and other projects; Texas Electronic Theses and Dissertations Association (TxETDA) launches a new resource for ETD professionals; TDL co-directors and staff travel the state; Open Access Week promotes free access to research; TDL training sessions held at Baylor University; Metadata Working Group meets in Waco.Item TDL Update Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 9, November/December 2009(Texas Digital Library, 2009-11) Texas Digital LibraryIn this issue: TDL spotlight on Texas A&M Qatar developing Arabic DSpace; JoDI receives "A" ranking from Australian computer science group; development update on continuing progress on key projects; TDL Metadata Working Group meeting in Waco; TDL thanks volunteer trainers; DuraSpace announces new Solutions Community Program; TDL training sessions added for Spring 2010.