Backpack Authentication will connect MackinVIA to your school or library’s user management system. This connection will retrieve user data to automatically create MackinVIA Backpacks and determine how users will log into MackinVIA. (Please note: The ability to edit or deactivate backpack accounts from your MackinVIA administrative account will no longer be available. Instead, any changes will need to be made through your school or library’s user management system.)
Please contact our Integrations Team or your Mackin sales consultant to request your new Backpack Authentication. Let us know if you have any questions – we will be happy to help in any way we can.
Advantages of Backpack Authentication
Authentication will connect MackinVIA to your school or library’s user management system through a secure integration protocol.
- Auto-create Backpacks – User data will automatically be retrieved by MackinVIA from your user management system to create and update Backpacks.
- Easy Access to Resources – Some Backpack Authentications provide a Single Sign-On (SSO) login experience, providing instant access to MackinVIA.
- Streamlined Credentials – Users will log into MackinVIA with the same usernames and passwords they already use at your school or library.
- Custom URL – When the Backpack Authentication is complete, your school or library will receive a custom URL to be used as a direct access point to MackinVIA.
Retrieving User Data
MackinVIA will rely on your school or library’s user management system as the primary authority and retrieve the following user data:
- Required Data – Username, Location (building or school), and Role (staff, student or patron).
- Optional Data – First Name, Last Name, Email, and Graduation Year, if appropriate.
- Passwords – Will not be retrieved nor stored in MackinVIA; we will rely on your library’s user management system to authenticate user passwords.
• Security – All Mackin Backpack Authentications require a secure connection to your library’s user management system. Users who do not have an account within the management system will be unable to access MackinVIA.
Common Backpack Authentications
These SSO Backpack Authentications will provide the easiest, most streamlined login experience for your users.
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MackinVIA will connect directly to your Alexandria library catalog. Users will be able to automatically open MackinVIA resources within Alexandria. Please note that Alexandria charges a one-time fee; please see here or contact Alexandria for more information. |
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MackinVIA will connect to your ClassLink OneRoster. Users will be able to access MackinVIA through an app within their ClassLink portal. |
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MackinVIA will connect to your Clever platform. Users will be able to access MackinVIA through an app within their Clever portal. MackinVIA supports authentication with both Instant Login and Clever Badges. |
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MackinVIA will connect to your library’s Destiny catalog. Users will be able to open MackinVIA resources from Destiny without a second login. Mackin supports authentication for Destiny Discover as well as Classic and Universal Searches. |
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MackinVIA will connect to your Google directory through a scope-limited service account. Users with an open Google session will be automatically authenticated into their MackinVIA Backpack. |
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MackinVIA will connect to your Azure Active Directory. User who are already logged into their Office 365 account, they will be automatically authenticated into their MackinVIA Backpack. |
Other Backpack Authentications
MackinVIA also supports these integration protocols. Please note that FTP Import, LDAP, and SIP2 do not provide a Single Sign-On login experience.
- FTP Import – MackinVIA will retrieve user credentials and other details from CSV files through a secure FTP site containing each user’s username, password and building/library. Please note that your IT department will need to routinely update this file to ensure that MackinVIA Backpack accounts are up to date.
- LDAP – MackinVIA will connect directly to your user directory.
- SIP2 – MackinVIA will connect directly to your library’s catalog. MackinVIA supports SIP2 for TLC, Atriuum, and many others.
- SAML – MackinVIA will connect to your school or library’s login service. Users who are already logged into your network will automatically be logged into their MackinVIAs Backpack; this is an SSO login experience.