2025 EBSCO User Group

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.

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

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.

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.