OCLC
acquires EZproxy authentication and access software
EZproxy helps provide users with remote access to Web-based
licensed content offered by libraries
DUBLIN,
Ohio, January 11, 2008-EZproxy, the leading software solution for serving library
patrons remotely, has been acquired by OCLC from Useful Utilities of
Peoria, Arizona. Useful Utilities founder Chris Zagar will join OCLC as
a full-time consultant. Mr. Zagar will help ensure a smooth
transition of EZproxy operations to OCLC, the world's largest library service
and research organization, and assist OCLC in developing
state-of-the-art authentication services for the cooperative.
Mr. Zagar, a
librarian at the Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona, developed EZproxy to
provide libraries a better solution for authenticating remote
user access to licensed databases. EZproxy software allows
libraries to manage access and authentication configurations through a
proxy server so that library users do not have to make any
configuration changes to their personal Web browsers.
More than 2,400
institutions in over 60 countries have purchased EZproxy software. OCLC
will honor EZproxy's current service arrangement for existing and new
customers whereby licensees continue to enjoy access to new releases of EZproxy
and technical support at no additional charge.
OCLC will also
continue to develop and support EZproxy by working with commercial vendors to
create new connectors to authentication systems and online content
resources to libraries. EZproxy version 4.1 is scheduled for release in
March 2008.
"The library
community has embraced EZproxy as the preferred solution for serving patrons
remotely, and we believed it's important to continue the service model that
users currently enjoy," said Betsy Wilson, member of the OCLC Board of
Trustees, and Dean of University Libraries,
University of
Washington, an EZproxy user. "OCLC's acquisition of EZproxy ensures that the
software will be developed and supported for libraries over the long
term."
Additionally,
OCLC is planning to connect local instances of EZproxy to WorldCat.org, creating
new value for licensees and their users. By surfacing EZproxy in
WorldCat.org, end users outside of the library will have better access to
library collections and services through WorldCat.
The acquisition
of EZproxy not only preserves the investment libraries have made in the
software, but now allows Mr. Zagar, who will be taking a 12-month leave of
absence from the Maricopa Community Colleges, time to develop new
authentication methods beyond proxy server technology that will benefit the
community.
"The addition of
EZproxy will help library patrons get to the information they want
from their library, when they want it, from their home, office or any
other remote location with an Internet connection,"
said Chip Nilges,
OCLC Vice President, Business Development.
In 1999, Mr.
Zagar announced the launch of EZproxy with a single posting to a listserv believing
that it would be of use to other community colleges.
"When Harvard and MIT were among the first to sign up for EZproxy, I knew I had
underestimated the problem of authentication and
access to these
licensed materials," said Mr. Zagar. Since then, his user base has grown to
more than 2,400 institutions.
"EZproxy is a great fit for OCLC, and OCLC is a great fit for users of EZproxy," said Mr.
Zagar. "EZproxy was developed to help library patrons access
information beyond the library walls, and I know that is in step with OCLC's
vision."
About OCLC
Founded in 1967
and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, OCLC is a nonprofit library service and
research organization that has provided computer-based
cataloging, reference, resource sharing, eContent, preservation, library
management and Web services to 60,000 libraries in 112 countries and
territories. OCLC and its member libraries worldwide have created and
maintain WorldCat, the world's richest online resource for finding library
materials. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.
OCLC and WorldCat
are trademarks and/or service marks of OCLC, Inc.
Third-party
product, service and business names are trademarks and/or
service marks of
their respective owners.
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