Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital Room Signs

[Mike Paulmeno]

Oh I had no idea.  That helps a lot because our campus uses Crestron units for 
all other meeting rooms.  So it might be an easier sell than getting devices 
from a different vendor.  Thanks!

Best,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Wilhelmina 
Randtke
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 2:46 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital Room Signs

[You don't often get email from 011e7c3352d1-dmarc-requ...@lists.clir.org. 
Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]

LibCal recently did an integration with Crestron room scheduling panels.
See
https://blog.springshare.com/2023/07/27/springshare-debuts-libcal-tablet-displays-fully-compatible-with-crestron-room-scheduling-panels/


Best,
-Wilhelmina


Wilhelmina Randtke
Head of Libraries Technologies and Systems Zach S. Henderson Library
1400 Southern Dr.
Statesboro, GA, 30458
(912) 478-5035
wrand...@georgiasouthern.edu


On Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 12:23 PM Mike Paulmeno < 
002f6a0df9b4-dmarc-requ...@lists.clir.org> wrote:

> Hi Everyone:
> Currently my library has a set of iPads we use as digital
> door signs (in conjunction with an app called Kiosk Pro).   We manage
> reservations using LibCal and utilize the iPads to display the related 
> web page for that room so patrons know when it is booked.  However in 
> the four years since we put the devices in place, they have proven 
> problematic to manage.  Although the iPads are in single app mode, 
> which prevents patrons from breaking out of the kiosk app, 
> configuration changes require us to take the devices down, hand them 
> to IT for unlocking, receive them back to make the change, then hand them to 
> IT again for re-locking into single app
> mode.   Also, since the only power option at the wall is power over
> ethernet, each device has a USB-PoE adapter behind the mounting brackets.
> However due to a miscommunication with our facilities folks, those 
> adapters are also behind a piece of wood and so we would need to call 
> them in order to change them.
>
> All of this is a roundabout way of saying we feel our lives would be 
> easier if we replaced the iPads with purpose built devices.  These 
> units from Visix are our leading candidate:
> https://www.visix.com/connect-conference-room-signs/ .  Does anyone 
> have any experience using them, especially with LibCal?  I'm aware we 
> will need to use Google Calendar as middleware as the Visix signs 
> don't work with LibCal directly, but am interested in how people who 
> have used these signs found them to work in practice.  We're also open 
> to hearing what other digital room signs folks have used.
>
> Best,
> Mike
>
> Michael Paulmeno
> Systems Librarian
> Lucy Scribner Library, 210
> Skidmore College
> (518) 580-5505
> mpaul...@skidmore.edu<mailto:mpaul...@skidmore.edu>
> He/Him/His

Re: [CODE4LIB] Code4Lib 2024 Program Voting Open!

[Mike Paulmeno]

November 10 is a Friday.  Does voting close then or the day before? 

Best,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Matt Sherman
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 1:37 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Code4Lib 2024 Program Voting Open!

The Code4Lib 2024 Program Committee is happy to announce that voting is now 
open for prepared talks.

Cast your vote for Code4Lib 2024 talks!


Visit the Code4Lib 2024 program voting ballot to review the proposals and 
assign points to those presentations you would like to see on the program in 
2024.

* Voting will end on Thursday, November 10, 2023, 11:59pm Pacific time*

Every year, the Code4Lib community votes on proposals that they would like to 
see included in the program. The top 10 proposals will be guaranteed a slot at 
the conference. For all other slots, the Program Committee will curate the 
remainder of presentations in an effort to ensure diversity and quality using 
the following criteria (in no particular order):


   -

   Favor first time presenters
   -

   Reflect community interest (as indicated by vote tally)
   -

   Ensure diversity of presenters by gender, ethnicity, institution, type
   of institution
   -

   Ensure diversity of topics/content


In the interest of speaker diversity, no speaker will have more than one talk 
accepted.

Those who proposed a talk but are not selected are highly encouraged to submit 
a poster proposal or sign up for a lightning talk. Poster proposal call for 
submissions will open after presenters are selected. Lightning talks are 
first-come, first-serve sign up during the conference.

Selected presenters will be contacted directly once the program committee has 
completed its process.

The complete program will be announced in mid-December. Please check the 
Code4lib mailing list or the conference website for the news.

For more information about Code4Lib 2024, visit https://2024.code4lib.org/

Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital Room Signs

[Mike Paulmeno]

Thanks!  I've heard of Hexnode and recommended it to our IT department as an 
MDM solution.  However we're really looking for new hardware and not just 
software.

Best,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Lolis, John
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 2:41 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital Room Signs

As synchronicity would have it, I was just dealing with Hexnode.  We use their 
mobile device management solution with our circulating laptops.
Although I haven't tried it, it also accommodates Android and iOS tablets, and 
I believe it may solve your issue of having to physically access the iPads in 
order to make any single app config changes.  I also just found out that they 
have a digital signage solution as well ( 
https://www.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/hexnode-digital-signage-software/).
While I can't say anything about that product, I can say that their mobile 
device management platform works very well for us.

John Lolis
Coordinator of Computer Systems

100 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY  10601

tel: 1.914.422.1497
fax: 1.914.422.1452

https://whiteplainslibrary.org/

*“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t 
be questioned.”* — Richard Feynman 
<https://click.fourhourmail.com/5qure95xkf7hvvo93wh2/7qh7h8h05vr4zrtz/aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvUmljaGFyZF9GZXlubWFu>,
theoretical physicist and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965


On Mon, 23 Oct 2023 at 12:23, Mike Paulmeno < 
002f6a0df9b4-dmarc-requ...@lists.clir.org> wrote:

> Hi Everyone:
> Currently my library has a set of iPads we use as digital
> door signs (in conjunction with an app called Kiosk Pro).   We manage
> reservations using LibCal and utilize the iPads to display the related 
> web page for that room so patrons know when it is booked.  However in 
> the four years since we put the devices in place, they have proven 
> problematic to manage.  Although the iPads are in single app mode, 
> which prevents patrons from breaking out of the kiosk app, 
> configuration changes require us to take the devices down, hand them 
> to IT for unlocking, receive them back to make the change, then hand them to 
> IT again for re-locking into single app
> mode.   Also, since the only power option at the wall is power over
> ethernet, each device has a USB-PoE adapter behind the mounting brackets.
> However due to a miscommunication with our facilities folks, those 
> adapters are also behind a piece of wood and so we would need to call 
> them in order to change them.
>
> All of this is a roundabout way of saying we feel our lives would be 
> easier if we replaced the iPads with purpose built devices.  These 
> units from Visix are our leading candidate:
> https://www.visix.com/connect-conference-room-signs/ .  Does anyone 
> have any experience using them, especially with LibCal?  I'm aware we 
> will need to use Google Calendar as middleware as the Visix signs 
> don't work with LibCal directly, but am interested in how people who 
> have used these signs found them to work in practice.  We're also open 
> to hearing what other digital room signs folks have used.
>
> Best,
> Mike
>
> Michael Paulmeno
> Systems Librarian
> Lucy Scribner Library, 210
> Skidmore College
> (518) 580-5505
> mpaul...@skidmore.edu<mailto:mpaul...@skidmore.edu>
> He/Him/His
>

[CODE4LIB] Digital Room Signs

[Mike Paulmeno]

Hi Everyone:
Currently my library has a set of iPads we use as digital door 
signs (in conjunction with an app called Kiosk Pro).   We manage reservations 
using LibCal and utilize the iPads to display the related web page for that 
room so patrons know when it is booked.  However in the four years since we put 
the devices in place, they have proven problematic to manage.  Although the 
iPads are in single app mode, which prevents patrons from breaking out of the 
kiosk app, configuration changes require us to take the devices down, hand them 
to IT for unlocking, receive them back to make the change, then hand them to IT 
again for re-locking into single app mode.   Also, since the only power option 
at the wall is power over ethernet, each device has a USB-PoE adapter behind 
the mounting brackets.  However due to a miscommunication with our facilities 
folks, those adapters are also behind a piece of wood and so we would need to 
call them in order to change them.

All of this is a roundabout way of saying we feel our lives would be easier if 
we replaced the iPads with purpose built devices.  These units from Visix are 
our leading candidate: https://www.visix.com/connect-conference-room-signs/ .  
Does anyone have any experience using them, especially with LibCal?  I'm aware 
we will need to use Google Calendar as middleware as the Visix signs don't work 
with LibCal directly, but am interested in how people who have used these signs 
found them to work in practice.  We're also open to hearing what other digital 
room signs folks have used.

Best,
Mike

Michael Paulmeno
Systems Librarian
Lucy Scribner Library, 210
Skidmore College
(518) 580-5505
mpaul...@skidmore.edu
He/Him/His

Re: [CODE4LIB] LibCal/EMS integration?

[Mike Paulmeno]

Margaret,
We've had a similar issue in the past.   The college at large uses EMS, 
but it has never worked for the library.  The way our EMS instance is set up, 
one has to make a booking at least 24 hours in advanced, while students 
typically reserve our group study rooms the same day they use them.  Prior to 
2019, our IT department maintained a custom application which allowed students 
to book group study rooms in less than 24 hours.  I believe it used an EMS API, 
although am not 100% sure.   Eventually we replaced it with LibCal, which is 
accessible from our web site

There are two ways we handle situations such as yours.  First, some of our 
bookable rooms are only in EMS.  We consider them "meeting rooms" for use by 
faculty and staff as opposed to the other "group study rooms" which students 
will use and are only in LibCal.  As a result the college has a few spaces 
where administration, faculty, and staff can book meetings without interfering 
with students.  Although we only have one location, the meeting rooms are 
mostly located on the fourth floor so people don't confuse them that much.  All 
reservable rooms in the library also have digital door signs with the ones 
outside our group study rooms being white (iPads) and the others being black 
(Crestrons).   If, for some reason, a campus group needs to reserve a group 
study room on a regular basis or in advanced they can reach out to the 
library's administrative assistant who can do so on their behalf.

However you specifically mention an API so I'm guessing your looking for a 
technological solution.  LibCal's API does allow one to create space bookings.  
We considered going this route, but I believe it requires some custom work on 
the EMS side, as that system does not natively integrate with LibCal, which may 
cost money.   It was cheaper and easier for us to just maintain separate 
systems, but in your case it may be worth pursuing a custom integration.  
Alternatively, both EMS and LibCal can sync with Microsoft Exchange/Outlook.   
The latter is a two-way sync (see here for Springshare's documentation: 
https://ask.springshare.com/libcal/faq/2043) meaning if your campus uses 
Outlook you could experiment with putting some or all of your rooms into it and 
using it as middleware.   So if a room is open, someone could make a booking in 
EMS and it would show up in LibCal with no intervention needed.  At least 
that's how it seems to work in theory.  Unfortunately I can't speak from 
experience here.

Best,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Margaret 
Alexander
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2023 6:42 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: [CODE4LIB] LibCal/EMS integration?

[You don't often get email from malex...@uoregon.edu. Learn why this is 
important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]

Hi all,

Our university uses EMS for room bookings, and during COVID they started 
scheduling some of the rooms in the library using EMS.  We use LibCal for our 
own room bookings, and unfortunately due to security we cannot simply share the 
EMS info into LibCal, and are resorting to manual typing in each appointment to 
LibCal to be able to keep track.

Has anyone used an API or other way to get EMS bookings into LibCal?

Thanks!
Margaret

Margaret Alexander | Core Systems Librarian (she/hers) University of Oregon | 
Libraries Knight Library | 1501 Kincaid St 97403-1299
541-346-1864 (vm)
malex...@uoregon.edu | 
uoregon.edu
Please note:  I work from home M-F, 8-4:30 PST [University of Oregon Logo 
Wordmark]

Re: [CODE4LIB] Cloud storage providers

[Mike Paulmeno]

Jeff,
If you're looking for a Google Drive replacement, then something like 
Proton Drive may be right for you.   It's from the same people who make Proton 
Mail.  I've never used their Drive product, but the email one is solid and very 
privacy focused.  Here is the website: https://proton.me/drive .  NextCloud may 
work as well, but you would have to find a hosting solution.

Best,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Jeffrey Sabol
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 3:35 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Cloud storage providers

Hello Colleagues,

I am looking for an inexpensive cloud storage provider for mostly documents for 
my faculty union.  Recommendation beyond the big name providers would be 
helpful.

Jeff Sabol
Long Beach City College

[CODE4LIB] Securing Loaner Laptops

[Mike Paulmeno]

To All:
I have a question for the group.  Does anyone here work at an 
institution which lends laptops out?  Our campus is going to implement such a 
program.  The impetus is coming from IT and the student government, but the 
library will be involved as the plan is to use self-checkout machines.   We're 
wondering how other institutions secure the laptops themselves.  Do you wipe 
them after each use or just use something like Deep Freeze/lock the devices 
down so people can't install anything?

Best,
Mike

Michael Paulmeno
Systems Librarian
Lucy Scribner Library, 210
Skidmore College
(518) 580-5505
mpaul...@skidmore.edu
He/Him/His

Re: [CODE4LIB] Cloud hosting providers alternative to AWS

[Mike Paulmeno]

Hi,
If you don't need a full VPS, Reclaim Cloud (https://reclaim.cloud/) 
may be an option.It is built on a platform called Jelastic, which uses 
Docker under the hood.  So it can scale up and down to meet demand and offers a 
variety of options to easily set up containers running different programming 
languages and such.  Pre-built containers are also an option.  

Cheers,
Mike

-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Junior Tidal
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 10:25 AM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Cloud hosting providers alternative to AWS

Hi all,

Our library is considering moving away from AWS as a cloud host for our library 
website.

I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for an alternative cloud hosting 
company that works with educational institutions?

All the best,
Junior

Junior Tidal (he/him/his)
Associate Professor, Web Services & Multimedia Librarian New York City College 
of Technology, CUNY
300 Jay St., L434
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.260.5481

https://library.citytech.cuny.edu
jti...@citytech.cuny.edu

Re: [CODE4LIB] Streaming video servers?

[Mike Paulmeno]

Skidmore uses Ensemble: https://www.ensemblevideo.com/ .  We used to have an 
on-premise server, but have switched to a hosted one in conjunction with 
several of our peer institutions.

Cheers,
Mike


Michael Paulmeno
Systems Librarian
Lucy Scribner Library, 210
Skidmore College
(518) 580-5505
mpaul...@skidmore.edu
He/Him/His



-Original Message-
From: Code for Libraries  On Behalf Of Junior Tidal
Sent: Thursday, April 8, 2021 8:39 AM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Streaming video servers?

Hi code4Lib,

Just wondering what other institutions are using for streaming video servers?

We have received some standalone films/files for courses, but do not have a 
formal electronic reserves system. It has become a little unwieldy.

If you have suggestions for a solution that is preferably open source and has 
password protection, please feel free to respond or contact me off-list.

All the best,
Junior


Junior Tidal (he/him/his)
Associate Professor
Web Services and Multimedia Librarian
New York City College of Technology, CUNY
300 Jay Street, Rm L434
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.260.5481
jti...@citytech.cuny.edu

http://library.citytech.cuny.edu
@citytechlibrary