2025 EBSCO User Group

Is your profile pic looking a bit weathered? Drop by room 557 for a complimentary professional headshot (no registration required: drop in at your convenience during one of the times below): 

• Tuesday, April 29th  
  • 7:00pm – 8:30pm 
• Wednesday, April 30th  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:20pm – 1:00pm 
  • 5:00pm – 5:45pm 
• Thursday, May 1   
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:00pm—12:30 pm   
  • 5:00pm – 5:30pm 
• Friday, May 2nd  
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:00pm—12:30 pm  

Is your profile pic looking a bit weathered? Drop by room 557 for a complimentary professional headshot (no registration required: drop in at your convenience during one of the times below): 

• Tuesday, April 29th  
  • 7:00pm – 8:30pm 
• Wednesday, April 30th  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:20pm – 1:00pm 
  • 5:00pm – 5:45pm 
• Thursday, May 1   
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:00pm—12:30 pm   
  • 5:00pm – 5:30pm 
• Friday, May 2nd  
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:00pm—12:30 pm  

As a smaller institution with limited resources, Douglas College library has to rely for its reporting needs on tools provided in Folio and by Ebsco: Circulation Log, Lists app, API queries and Panorama. Collecting Reserves statistics ended up being one of the most challenging tasks for us, with our data in Panorama not aligning with what we had in the Courses app. Besides other circulations stats for the annual report needed some extra massaging. In this session I’m going to share some of the changes that needed to be made on our side and in Folio/Panorama that helped us to get the needed data for the internal and external library reporting.

An experimental FOLIO backend module, edge-ai, utilizes Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Claude to automate the creation and enhancement of inventory records and other workflows using Apache Airflow. This presentation will demonstrate the functionality of edge-ai, incorporating feedback from cataloging and other staff regarding their experiences using LLMs in their work.

In many libraries, inherited data can often be disorganized, outdated, and difficult to access, creating major challenges in day-to-day operations. As UTM's new ERM Librarian, Ronne Jones Cox inherited a FOLIO inventory that included many duplicates of e-package titles and eBook Collections. She worked with EBSCO Library Services Engineer Christine McClure to clean up this chaotic data and transform it into a more efficient collection for staff and patrons alike.

This session will delve into the collaboration between a new library school graduate and a vendor rep to tackle these challenges head-on. We will explore how we partnered to clean up chaotic data, transforming it into an easily accessible, efficient system for staff and patrons alike.

The session will also highlight the use of technology and best practices in organizing vast amounts of data, making it easier to retrieve, update, and maintain it by using key strategies implemented, including data standardization, inventory auditing, and system integration, as well as the importance of clear communication and mutual goals between vendors and libraries.

This presentation will offer practical insights for libraries facing similar issues, with actionable takeaways on how to effectively manage inherited data and turn it into a well-organized, findable resource.

Join us for a session on the latest developments in FOLIO, highlighting the new features and improvements in Ramsons (Winter 2024) and Sunflower (Spring 2025) releases. This session will delve into metadata management and lists enhancements designed to enrich user experience, streamline library workflows, and enhance system performance.
FOLIO product owners will provide a live demonstration, illustrating the practical applications and benefits of these updates.
Attendees will learn about:
• Key improvements in the Ramsons and Sunflower releases
• Enhanced functionalities and user interface updates

In August 2024, Emporia State University successfully migrated from Sierra/EZproxy to FOLIO/OpenAthens while simultaneously upgrading to the new Discovery Search platform. Join us to learn about the preparation and migration process, along with valuable insights and best practices for ensuring a smooth and successful transition to FOLIO and OpenAthens.

When it comes to libraries in the University System of Georgia (USG), we tend to do things together and that ranges from small institutions, comprehensive regional universities, to the big R1s like University of Georgia. This isn’t our first rodeo with a large consortial migration. We did it in 2017 with Alma, 2019 with OpenAthens, and in 2025 all USG libraries will migrate to FOLIO. This presentation will focus on how these libraries and GALILEO work together to share knowledge and create a cohesive shared bibliographic environment.

Is your profile pic looking a bit weathered? Drop by room 557 for a complimentary professional headshot (no registration required : drop in at your convenience during one of the times below): 

• Tuesday, April 29th  
  • 7:00pm – 8:30pm 
• Wednesday, April 30th  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:20pm – 1:00pm 
  • 5:00pm – 5:45pm 
• Thursday, May 1   
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:00pm—12:30 pm   
  • 5:00pm – 5:30pm 
• Friday, May 2nd  
  • 8:15am – 9:00am  
  • 10:15am – 10:30am  
  • 12:20pm—12:50 pm  

Worcester State University wanted an ERM to better manage its electronic resources. While implementing the FOLIO ERM stand-alone in fiscal year 24, we discovered something extra in the acquisition module. We will share what we discovered during the implementation process as we learned what the Acquisition could do to help manage multiple aspects of the library's budget.

Join us for an engaging session where we explore the work eReserve Plus has done in developing a FOLIO application that's transforming library services. eReserve Plus has been leading the way in integrating advanced technology to streamline library operations and foster the integration of library resources into the learning environment. Their FOLIO app is a comprehensive solution for managing electronic reserves, improving accessibility, ensuring copyright compliance and fostering collaboration among library staff and patrons.

We'll take you through the features of the FOLIO app, such as its intuitive interface, powerful copywrite compliance capabilities, and seamless integration with existing library systems. Additionally, we'll share insights into the development process, including the challenges we faced and the strategies we used to overcome them.

This session is perfect for anyone interested in the future of library technology. Come discover how eReserve Plus's FOLIO app is setting new standards in library management and learn about the potential benefits it can bring to your institution.

Discover how MOBIUS has revolutionized patron account management in FOLIO with an innovative automated process.
In this session, we’ll explore how MOBIUS transitioned from Sierra’s scheduler software to FOLIO while maintaining compatibility with existing file formats. Instead of requiring libraries to overhaul their workflows, we developed a seamless solution that converts text files of patron data into JSON format, enabling integration with FOLIO’s mod-user-import API.
Key Highlights:
• Automated Integration: Our solution leverages the mod-user-import module to create and update user records daily. The script runs automatically at 1:00 AM, importing patron data for 50 libraries, with scalability for additional libraries as requested.
• Comprehensive Web Interface: Empower help desk staff with tools to:
o Monitor metrics and review import history.
o Identify failed records and manage patron groups.
o Configure email notifications for import outcomes.
• Technical Implementation Insights: Learn about the use of the POST /user-import endpoint to streamline user data imports.
• Detailed Metrics: See how MOBIUS provides robust metrics on user import outcomes, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Why Attend?
This session demonstrates how automation can enhance efficiency while maintaining flexibility for participating libraries. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how MOBIUS ensures FOLIO’s patron management processes remain robust, transparent, and user-friendly.

Join me for a walkthrough on accessing and utilizing data from FOLIO through its APIs and PostgreSQL database. I'll begin with how to set up and use the FOLIO APIs and move to accessing raw data through PostgreSQL including utilizing tools such as DBeaver.

Building on these basics, I'll delve into real-world applications by showcasing several projects undertaken at Smith College Libraries. Examples such as:

Collection and Purchasing Reports: Utilizing PostgreSQL queries to create reports that visualize collections and purchasing data, including automating ACRL statistics.

New Materials Browsing: Enabled patrons to browse new books and videos combining EDS APIs with FOLIO data.

Enhanced Course Reserves: Access to Course Reserves through the FOLIO API.

Equipment tracking: Simple equipment tracking utilizing FOLIO's inventory APIs and real time availability tracking to give students a clear picture of what is available.

These examples will illustrate how raw data access can improve library services. Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable knowledge to apply in their own institutions, making the most of FOLIO's robust data capabilities.

Ever wonder about that box with the word ‘Package’ next to it, when setting up a new Order/PO Line in FOLIO? What does checking the box let you do when creating a new Order/PO Line? What are all the flavors of Package POLs? Hear from Dennis Bridges, the PO for Orders and all things FOLIO Acquisitions, about the original vision for the feature design and from Sara Colglazier, a fully implemented FOLIO user since 2022, about why it is one of her favorite FOLIO things–even if she cannot quite come up with 32 flavors, she will share a wide variety of use cases. Finally, together, let’s discuss and brainstorm ideas for shaping future development of the Package PO Line.

How does a consortium of 60+ libraries based on a shared ILS platform and a resource sharing system handle disruptive change? Perhaps more importantly, why would you do this in the first place? In many ways it is like turning a battleship. Also, many of these new and essential products are either in development (Locate and OpenRS) or are architecturally new (FOLIO ECS) so providing feedback and testing is all part of the mix. Large, diverse, and geographically dispersed, how do you help lead your membership on his new adventure, so they engage with you throughout the process, so they feel like they have an ownership interest in its success? Come and learn from us on what went right, what went wrong, and what we would do differently during our 2-year odyssey into the brave, new world of open-source software.

As a community-driven system, FOLIO thrives on engagement with its adopters. Join our panelists as they share their experiences with FOLIO pre-release testing and bug-reporting (Bugfest), highlighting the value of participating in this community event. Presenters will discuss how to stay informed about FOLIO development and release schedules, including key communications to watch for and how to prepare for an upgrade. They will offer practical advice, with real-life examples, on how FOLIO libraries can make the most of their dry-run environments, utilize training and other resources, and seamlessly integrate new and enhanced functionalities into everyday processes. Additional topics will include scheduling downtime, reporting issues, steps for upgrading to a new release, and where to find further information.

Attendees will learn firsthand how engaging in these processes ensures early issue detection, thorough staff preparation, and smooth upgrades, allowing the library to fully leverage FOLIO’s new features and improvements.