Hi Corinna,

At UBC Library, we built a PHP Hours & Location application to manage 17
locations distributed across 3 disparate geographic locations. It might
solve some of the issues you raise:

   - it has a *front-end portal* that uses progressive disclosure to show
   Library branch and campus details (for descriptions, addresses and a
   seasonal calendar that accounts for exceptions like building closures or
   emergencies)
   - it uses a *database* to store the hours and locations information,
   based on dates ranges for managing regular and exception hours
   - it has an *admin panel / CMS *that library staff can log in to make
   changes to their operation and reference hours (which gets reflected in
   multiple locations)
   - it includes several *widgets* for embedding today's and this week's
   hours into other sites
   - it includes a *printable* version (for planning and window display) of
   the hours

You can see our application here: Portal <http://hours.library.ubc.ca/> |
Widget <http://aarp.library.ubc.ca/> (see box on right) |
Print<http://hours.library.ubc.ca/print.php>

I've also attached a screenshot of the admin panel.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the design, user testing and
development process, and the staff and administrative challenges we've
encountered along the way.
You can get the code here.

https://github.com/UBCLIBSYS/LibraryHoursLocations

Thanks,
Paul

 Paul Joseph
Systems Librarian

UBC Library
Library Systems & Information Technology
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Room 142
1961 East Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1

Phone: 604-827-5132
Email: [log in to unmask]



On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 1:12 PM, Shaun Ellis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I have used Google Calendar for personal projects and I agree that it's
> easy to use.  Here's some PHP code I've used to have Google Calendar power
> a simple calendar page:
>
> https://github.com/media-uk/**GCalPHP<https://github.com/media-uk/GCalPHP>
>
> However, I think that this is such a common task for university libraries
> that it would be a great project to collaborate on.  I could see it as a
> web service that other systems could use to not only post hours, but also
> validate scheduling inputs for room bookings, book request pickup, reading
> room delivery, etc.
>
> -Shaun
>
>
> On 6/14/12 3:54 PM, Sean Hannan wrote:
>
>> I'm implementing this in Google Calendar. Easy to update for non-tech
>> staff.
>> Easy to have multiple calendars (one per location), and the API is baked
>> in.
>> Amenities info, etc. can be included in the notes field of the calendar
>> entry.
>>
>> -Sean
>>
>> ---
>> Sean Hannan
>> Web Developer
>> Sheridan Libraries
>> Johns Hopkins University
>>
>>
>> On 6/14/12 3:38 PM, "Baksik, Corinna M."<[log in to unmask]**>
>>  wrote:
>>
>>  At Harvard we need to implement a new library hours database/tool. We
>>> have
>>> over 70 libraries and are looking for something that's easy for staff to
>>> update (~100 staff users), and has some form of API such that other sites
>>> (like the Med or Law school library sites), can access it so they don't
>>> have
>>> to update hours in multiple places. It needs to include amenities info,
>>> café
>>> hours, etc.  Preferably staff could set default hours and then override
>>> them
>>> when hours vary.
>>> Are there any libraries doing this that are using open-source software,
>>> and
>>> like what they have? (If you have a locally built system and like what
>>> you
>>> have, I'm interested in that too).
>>> Many thanks,
>>> Corinna
>>>
>>> Corinna Baksik
>>> Systems Librarian
>>> Library Technology Services
>>> Harvard University
>>> 90 Mt. Auburn St.
>>> Cambridge, MA 02138
>>> 617.495.3724
>>>
>>
> --
> Shaun D. Ellis
> Digital Library Interface Developer
> Firestone Library, Princeton University
> voice: 609.258.1698 | [log in to unmask]
>