# look for cookie containing session ID and read the
  # corresponding session record; expire session automatically
  # if it's too old

  if (defined($sess_id = CGI::cookie($self->{cookie_name}))) {
    $sess_ref = WebDB::Session->open_with_expiration($self->{config},undef,$sess_id);
  }

  $self->{sess_ref} = $sess_ref; # store session reference in $self

   # bounce user to login page if not currently logged in
  if (!defined($self->{sess_ref})) {
    print CGI::redirect(-uri=>$self->{bounce_uri}); exit(0);
  }