SimplyE is the Open Source Reading Platform built by libraries for libraries to improve access to ebooks from libraries.
The project aims to streamline the experience of borrowing electronic books from a public library. We offer:
Our goal is to make borrowing ebooks as easy as buying them.
This wiki is written by the Library Simplified developers and intended for use by technical staff at public libraries. For details on how to get your library involved, see the Library Simplified website. |
Library Simplified is a collection of middleware, server software and mobile client applications for iOS and Android that libraries may use to deliver digital content to their patrons for experimentation or daily eBook services. It is designed to provide a unique user experience for the lending of eBooks and other digital content. It integrates with technologies and systems common to libraries like:
The client applications are currently contained in open repositories accept for the those DRM components that are derivative products which are in private repositories. Partner libraries may obtain access to the private repositories and the closed repositories for DRM that require a commercial license. Once the commercial license is obtained users can gain access to the code libraries that link to the commercial binaries distributed independently by the commercial DRM vendor.
There are three front-end web applications for the Simplified project:
The data store contains information from a variety of sources, supporting the accurate classification and thorough metadata of book records. The Metadata Wrangler depends on the data store for its installation.
The project provides several tools for simplifying deployment of SimplyE Application servers.
Docker - Docker is an open-source project that automates the deployment of applications inside software containers, by providing an additional layer of abstraction and automation of operating-system-level virtualization on Linux. Docker can package an application and its dependencies in a virtual container that can run on any Linux server. This helps enable flexibility and portability on where the application can run, on premises, in a public cloud, on a private cloud, or bare metal machines.
Other Resources
Ansible - The Ansible is an opens source automation engine used to manage software and server environments. Ansible Playbooks are the files that are used by the open source automation engine, Ansible. The playbooks provide the instructions and information necessary to remotely provision the necessary Amazon Web Services environment to host the application. They also automate the deployment of the Library Simplified Circulation Manager Docker Containers, application servers, databases and other related applications.
Other Resources
Amazon Web Services - Amazon EC2 provides a wide selection of instance types optimized to fit different use cases. Instance types comprise varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking capacity and give you the flexibility to choose the appropriate mix of resources for your applications. Each instance type includes one or more instance sizes, allowing you to scale your resources to the requirements of your target workload. For Library Simplified (at The New York Public Library) we are using a combination of T2 instances, Relational Database Services, Simple Storage Services, and Content Delivery Network services to implement a low cost, low latency, highly scalable Library Simplified environment.