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Electronic resources are a cornerstone of modern library collections. With many libraries offering a robust selection of licensed, purchased, and freely available e-resources, users have come to expect near-instantaneous access [...]

Libraries are affected by advancements occurring within the information technology, information security, scholarly publishing, and library discovery service industries. In chapter 6 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “New Developments in Library Discovery and Access,” we discuss the new opportunities for access failure these advancements will elicit and how they will influence library troubleshooting efforts. Topics covered include LibKey API, GetFTR, Elsevier, Yewno, EBSCO Concept Maps, KBART Automation, EBSCO Auto-Population in Holdings Management, the death of IP authentication, cloud application security and ransomware protection software, and browser vendors increasing user privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little has been written on attempts to understand access disruption trends holistically, such as through help ticket analyses. In chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “Overview of Common Issues and Symptoms,” we summarize the available library science literature studies and then describe the common points of failure within library discovery system components. We cover access issues originating from user error, personal devices, discovery systems, link resolvers, knowledge bases, central indexes, IP and VPN authentication, EZproxy, federated identity management, and more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “Components of E-resource Access,” defines the technology components through which library end users gain access to electronic materials, focusing on those that comprise the discovery service environment. We describe how each component works, the role it plays within the larger library system, and how metadata from these key systems plays an integral role in e-resource access. We discuss different types of metadata, the systems from which they originate, and the spheres of control that govern their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faulty metadata is one of the primary culprits of e-resources access disruptions. In response, the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) has launched several initiatives to standardize the way e-resource metadata is transmitted between organizations. In chapter 5 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “Current Initiatives Aimed at Mitigating Access Issues,” we discuss Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART), Open Discovery Initiative (ODI), Video and Audio Metadata Working Group, Unique Electronic Resource Package Identifiers, Access and License Indicators (ALI), the IP registry, SeamlessAccess, Transfer Code of Practice, and Content Platform Migrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the significant gaps in library troubleshooting literature is methods of diagnosis. Chapter 4 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “Methods of Diagnosis,” attempts to fill this gap by reviewing trends and common methods of diagnosis for both reactive and proactive troubleshooting. We discuss the DECSAR troubleshooting methodology; diagnosis techniques of re-creation, elimination, backtracking, and half-splitting; and tools such as link checkers, screen capture programs, OpenURL editors, and other remote-access troubleshooting tools. We also discuss proactive troubleshooting, analyzing problem reports, and access checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), “The Current Landscape of Electronic Resources Access Issues,” we discuss the current landscape of electronic resources access issues through the lens of the prevailing access tool employed by academic libraries: the discovery service. The report outlines the technical components through which library end users gain access to electronic materials through the discovery system environment and describes the common points of failure within them. The report also discusses the troubleshooting techniques and tools through which access issues are identified and diagnosed. The report closes with a discussion on new technological developments in library discovery and access, highlighting the new opportunities for access failure, as well as the initiatives aimed at mitigating these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), we discuss the current landscape of electronic resource access disruptions through the lens of the prevailing access tool employed by academic libraries: the discovery service. In chapter 1, “Introduction,” we outline the contents and structure of this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 7, “Conclusion,” wraps up this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 7), in which we have defined the technological components required to facilitate e-resource access and discussed how the limitations of these components directly correlate to the amount of electronic resource troubleshooting required to keep them running smoothly. We have attempted to include and define all points of access common to library access chains; however, any attempt at comprehensiveness will invariably omit relevant systems, tools, or metadata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]