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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.