This talk will introduce the audience to EBSCO’s User Experience (UX) Design Team and explore the iterative design process we use. We’ll talk about the personas we design for and how we use research to inform design decisions. We will also explain some UX best practices and demonstrate how we’ve incorporated those principles into our user interfaces. Finally, we’ll discuss accessibility guidelines and our commitment to making our products more accessible for all.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a vital role in educating and empowering Black and ethnic students and fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. To ensure their continued success, HBCU libraries must select collections that reflect the diverse experiences and knowledge of the HBCU communities. However, ensuring library collections reflect this commitment to DEI requires ongoing assessment and strategic development. This proposal outlines a plan to leverage EBSCO subscriptions and resources to enhance the library’s collection in support of DEI initiatives at Tennessee State University. While TSU library possesses a robust collection, there may be gaps in representing diverse voices and perspectives. By strategically leveraging EBSCO resources, the TSU library can significantly enhance its collection to better reflect the institution’s commitment to DEI. This will empower students and faculty with the informational resources they need to excel academically and become well-informed global citizens.
This session will provide a deep dive into the challenges of migrating to the new EDS user interface. I'll share the library’s experiences in customizing the interface to align with the users' specific needs and expectations.
Key topics will include: - Customizing the User Experience: Learn how we developed and implemented custom filters, placards, and search extensions to enhance the search experience and improve discovery. - Effective Training and Communication: Discover the strategies we employed to train staff and communicate effectively with the entire university community, minimizing disruption and maximizing user satisfaction. - Monitoring and Responding to User Feedback: Explore how we tracked user feedback and implemented changes to address concerns and improve the overall user experience. - Looking Forward: Review the key upcoming features coming to the interface in 2025.
Lead, Library Systems & Instructional Multimedia, National University
Hi! I'm Meghan, and I am the Systems & Instructional Multimedia Librarian for National University. I work to ensure all the library's systems work properly for our patrons and also create videos, tutorials, infographics, presentations, and more to help our students understand how... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Ballroom B | Coral1 Sabin St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
In 2020, the University of Texas System announced the consolidation of UT Tyler with the UT Health Science Center Tyler into a single institution that included the merging of the campus identity system and moving away from a self-hosted EZ Proxy instance. Despite the unified vision to "Rise as One," we maintained two distinct libraries to serve the academic and health campuses of the newly combined UT Tyler. This decision presented challenges in user authentication and access management. In this session, we will discuss how we implemented and continue to manage OpenAthens to address these challenges, ensuring seamless and secure access to library resources to our diverse user populations.
Some of the topics I will cover include: The dos and don’ts of marketing research Identifying markets for innovative technologies Determining company/industry developments Company/industry analysis Product reviews and strategies Field searching for targeted results Using EBSCO keywords to expand search parameters Doing a SWOT analysis
During this session, attendees will learn about responsible AI practices from four perspectives – librarian, researcher, publisher, and platform vendor – and their impact on psychology research and learning. With responsible AI practices informing the entire development process, psychology researchers at all levels can have more confidence in the AI tools they are using, as well as more confidence in the AI they may develop for their own psychological research. This session will focus on psychology research, as a starting point, with the hope other disciplines will join the ride. As technology accelerates from “zero to sixty” in a minute, its responsible creation and use is often left behind in the exhaust. We will attempt to illustrate proactive practices being utilized by various members of the psychology driving pool engaged in the AI road race.
EBSCO Experience Manager (EEM) is EBSCO's portal for Administrative applications. We'll use Single Sign-on to access our ConfigUI application and then will tour the highlights of that application. You'll view the benefits that the ConfigUI offers administrators who wish to self-service their configuration settings. We'll also touch upon our strategy for future development in the configuration space.
Implementing new software as a service platforms take time and effort. This session will review best practices, tips, and general advice on how to work with our implementation team for the best outcome for your institution. We will share thoughts on how best to prepare for the project, general tools and workflows used, pitfalls to avoid, and other general ways in which to optimally stand up the product purchased. Products to be reviewed will include EBSCO Discovery Service, Full Text Finder, Custom Catalogs, Stacks, OpenAthens, and more.
The foundation of e-resource management tools is a quality knowledgebase, and access to electronic content fails when those management tools rest on a poor foundation. Since switching to the EBSCO knowledgebase and HLM tools in 2020, Cornell University Library has regularly expressed concerns to EBSCO about this knowledgebase, our frustrations with it, and the resulting negative impact on our users. In a partnership proposed by EBSCO, Cornell has worked closely with EBSCO over the past year to continue improving the knowledgebase, to ensure better access to all resources. These improvements benefit all users who rely on HLM tools to access their e-resources. In this session, Peter McCracken (CUL e-resources librarian, and – long ago – a co-founder of Serials Solutions) will describe the need for improved work, the work that Cornell and EBSCO have done together, and where Cornell hopes it will lead. This work is necessary if libraries want to successfully connect researchers and readers with electronic content.
This presentation explores how one academic library serving an entirely online university executed a deep overhaul of its online infrastructure while navigating an unexpected medical crisis.
The institution made three major changes on the same day by implementing the new EBSCO Discovery Service, transitioning to the OpenAthens authentication system, and launching a redesigned website. The discussion reviews the thought processes and decisions behind combining these migrations, including resource allocation, risk assessment, and timeline management explained, as well as communicating with key stakeholders, managing expectations, and testing so, so very many links.
The presentation also addresses crisis management when the project lead, the presenter, was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy two days before launch. Learn what happened, what to prepare for with your own migrations and projects, and how to make sure you can expect the unexpected. The impact of the changes after one year will also be discussed.
This presentation offers valuable insights for library professionals planning EBSCO Discovery Service and OpenAthens migrations, or similar system migrations and changes.
In November 2024, New York Public Library (NYPL) successfully implemented EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) as Article Plus for their patrons. This change, along with a single-search box on a newly-launched Online Resources and Databases page, facilitates a transformative experience for NYPL patrons. The implementation of EDS marks a significant milestone by providing patrons with enhanced access to hundreds of online resources and databases. In this session, NYPL’s Elliot Clement, Research Electronic Resources Coordinator, and Laura Leone, Collections Access and Discovery Project Manager, will share their experiences and insights on the implementation process of EDS. They will discuss the strategic changes made to the NYPL website to integrate EDS, support received from the EBSCO implementation team, and the work it took to create and promote the launch of Article Plus. Key highlights of the session will include: • An overview of the implementation process, including details about the redesign of the previous Articles and Databases user interface. • The collaborative efforts among NYPL and EBSCO stakeholders to ensure a seamless integration. • The impact of EDS on improving access to resources and information. • A live demonstration of the new features and functionalities added to the NYPL website.
Go behind the scenes with EBSCO Product Managers as they delve into the integration of Linked Data into EBSCO Discovery Service and EBSCOhost to transform research experiences. This session will cover the infrastructure enabling Linked Data, including the new EBSCO Scholarly Graph platform, and the new product features that are enabled through this new infrastructure. Attendees will also learn how EBSCO incorporates user research to discover, validate, and refine new features to improve the user journey on EBSCO platforms.
This session addresses one of the most common questions we hear: When will Mosaic be ready for my library? It’s a town hall-style forum designed to encourage open dialogue and direct engagement with customers, EBSCO/GOBI staff, and Innovation Partners. Instead of presenting canned information, this session creates an interactive space to answer live questions and discuss Mosaic’s capabilities, readiness, and future.
Session Overview: This session will explore the pivotal role of analytics in driving insights and enhancing the understanding of academic libraries’ contributions to both students and the institution as a whole.
Objectives:
- Identify the Importance of Analytics within Academic Libraries: Discuss the critical role of analytics in modern academic libraries. - Showcase Real-World Applications: Highlight case studies and practical examples, focusing on the work done at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Biola University.Discuss the tools used in these applications. - Dive into Panorama Analytics: Present the features, benefits, and practical applications of Panorama Analytics from EBSCO. Preview new dashboards and tools. - Engage in Interactive Discussion and Q&A session to address specific use cases and challenges faced by attendees. This session aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how analytics can be leveraged to demonstrate and enhance the value of academic libraries.
Librarian for Systems and Special Collections, Biola University
Chuck Koontz is the Librarian for Systems & Special Collections at Biola University in La Mirada, CA. He also serves as liaison for the Arts and Humanities schools. Chuck graduated from Biola with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2000, and from San Jose State University in 2019 with... Read More →
Director, Library Information Services, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Andrew White has 35+ years of experience in academic libraries including public and technical services, as well as information systems administration. Prior to his role at Rensselaer, he held a variety of positions in Stony Brook University including Associate Director of the... Read More →
Amy has been with EBSCO 19 years. During this time she primarily worked directly with academic libraries throughout New England. By talking with our clients and listening to their needs Amy has been able to identify how our software solutions can help. Amy currently handles several... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 2:20pm - 3:10pm EDT
Ballroom B | Coral1 Sabin St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
At the end of the pandemic, Thompson Rivers University Library discovered that some of the temporary processes we developed during the interim were not just beneficial, but also invaluable. For instance, we found that the EDS system modifications, initially used for touchless delivery, continued to add significant value for holds and after-hours pick-ups. The pandemic encouraged us to concentrate on and evaluate core library functions. Similarly, we used critical evaluation of our processes to inform our migration to Folio. We will discuss: How we are simplifying its circulation system by reducing the number of item types, loan rules, and patron types. Why we will be selective in our use of new patron empowerment features in the EDS. Why a system migration is an excellent opportunity to streamline library processes and to examine what a library can do. Why examining fines and loan periods before the migration is essential during the migration. Addressing complex or difficult questions before the upgrade allows you to spend more time training staff and fine-tuning the configuration during the migration.
As research habits and needs evolve over time, our community increasingly focuses on the performance and functionality of software products and integrations used by libraries. Roadmaps can be used as tools to plan, prepare, align and communicate; vendors and publishers balance their development resources between technical debt and innovation, frequently informed by input from their customer base. New, more flexible products allow for libraries and research organizations to implement bespoke experiences, sometimes with their own in-house development expertise. In both scenarios, building the “product roadmap” offers an opportunity for product managers to connect with their users and vice versa. However, gaps in this critical feedback loop can result in ambiguous expectations and a lack of clear communication. In this panel session, presenters will share their experiences recommendations for building a partnered approach to roadmap development. The audience will hear perspectives from library practitioners, consortium development managers and platform product managers, offering a lively discussion of product roadmaps in both the vendor-owned and open source space.
Amanda Ferrante is Principal Product Manager for Identity & Access Management for EBSCO Information Services, focusing on removing barriers to access for researchers and supporting ease of administration for librarians. Her work is informed by the library community’s needs related... Read More →
Director, Acquisitions & E-Resource Licensing, Cornell University
Jesse is responsible for managing Acquisitions and E-Resource Licensing services for Cornell University Library (CUL). Jesse has been involved with the Future of Libraries Is Open project to develop open source software for libraries since 2016 Ask me about Battledecks@ER&L!Ask... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:20pm - 4:10pm EDT
Ballroom D | Ocean1 Sabin St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Overview: This session is focused on sharing the outcomes of the OpenAthens product UX review. This session will provide librarians with detailed insights into the review process, key findings, and the implications for future product development.
Session Highlights:
OpenAthens UX review findings: A comprehensive presentation of the findings from our recent UX review of the OpenAthens system, highlighting areas of success and opportunities for enhancement.
Discussion on next steps: An interactive discussion on the proposed next steps based on the review findings, encouraging feedback and suggestions from librarians.
Potential improvements: Exploration of potential improvements and how they can be implemented to better meet user needs and enhance overall user experience.
The importance of discovery is often brought up in academic settings, but ensuring access is just as vital for connecting patrons with materials. For resources from EBSCO’s Holdings & Links Management (HLM) record service, access takes the form of linking URLs. The details of these links are often dependent on the host, and access issues can arise in collections large and small. The number of links and potential problems scales upwards as an institution adds more collections to HLM. Manually testing URLs is a proactive method of ensuring access, as patrons finding a nonfunctional link may just move on to another resource instead of submitting a ticket and waiting for a resolution. This presentation is concerned with breaking down different types of access issues The University of Alabama has encountered and exploring tools used for more efficiently and precisely troubleshooting access problems in HLM records as well as the importance of communication with electronic resources personnel from a metadata perspective in addressing access problems and establishing more streamlined workflows.
Ready to take your collection management to the next level? Join us for a hands-on dive into the new Collection Assessment tool, designed with you—busy library administrators—in mind. Whether you're juggling acquisitions, renewals, or content upgrades, this tool simplifies the complex decisions you face daily.
Imagine effortlessly comparing resource and coverage overlaps, running title-level analyses, and generating detailed reports—all from a user-friendly interface. With the ability to export comprehensive insights and dive into package- and holdings-level statistics, you'll have everything you need to make smarter, data-driven choices for your library's future.
This session is more than a demo—it's your chance to see how this tool can transform the way you manage collections. We will dive into Overlap Analysis export, how to create package-level and holdings-level analysis and much more. Bring your questions, curiosity, and aspirations for a stronger digital library presence. Don't miss out on this opportunity to streamline your workflow and elevate your decision-making!
Join us for an in-depth session on the updated Publication Finder, designed to enhance your search experience within your institution's collection. Publication Finder includes many features requested by you, our customers, which include a new interface, the ability to select from a larger set of subject groupings, the return of A-Z browse, the ability to browse by database and you’re able to pre-filter searches against a sub-set of content. Additionally, we’ll cover the introduction of database search and browse and other recent enhancements.
During this session, we will cover: • Responsive User Interface: Discover the modern, intuitive design that adapts seamlessly to any device, ensuring a smooth and efficient search experience. • Advanced Search Options: Learn how to utilize both basic and advanced search functionalities to quickly locate journals, eBooks, magazines, and newspapers. • Enhanced Browsing Capabilities: Explore the ability to browse by subject, database, or title, and filter searches by book or journal content. • Integration with EBSCO Discovery Service: See how Publication Finder integrates with other EBSCO tools to provide a cohesive and powerful research experience.
Whether you are a seasoned researcher or new to the platform, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make the most of the new Publication Finder.
After months of planning and training our consortium went live on FOLIO in May of 2024. In this session an Assistant Library Director, Cataloger Librarian, and Acquisitions Librarian will share the decisions and preparations that had to be made before the migration, new workflows that were created, and all the “little things” we weren’t expecting to navigate but made it through. Focus will be on preparation of the catalog data, training, folio apps: inventory, users, permissions, lists, finance, orders, receiving, and settings. Most of all we will share why even through the chaos we are happy with where we are now.
Evidence-Based Acquisitions (EBA) has become an increasingly popular and efficient way for libraries to curate monograph collections based on actual usage data. While many of the largest and most prolific publishers offer EBA programs, managing multiple agreements and processes can place a heavy burden on library staff. However, when available, running an EBA program through GOBI Library Solutions offers several key advantages that streamline the process and enhance collection development efforts.
Using GOBI for your EBA program centralizes management, providing a single platform to handle multiple publisher agreements, simplifying workflows, and integrating usage data in a user-friendly way. Additionally, GOBI offers robust reporting tools and seamless integration with existing library systems, helping libraries make more informed decisions with less administrative overhead.
In this session, hear from the Head of Acquisitions at URI on the importance of EBAs in meeting their collection development goals, how they successfully implement EBA at their institution, and why they advocate for publishers to work through GOBI. You’ll also hear from a GOBI Collection Development Manager, who will share insights on the benefits of running an EBA program through GOBI and the details that make it an indispensable tool for libraries.
Join us for an engaging and interactive session with the EBSCO User Group Board of Directors, led by Board President Teri Gallaway. This facilitated listening session is your chance to share your insights, provide feedback, and ask questions to help us create the best possible experience for our user community. Whether you have suggestions for improvement, ideas for new initiatives, or simply want to share what you love about the user group, we’re here to listen. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping the future of the user group. We look forward to a lively and productive discussion!
