2025 EBSCO User Group

In many libraries, inherited data can often be disorganized, outdated, and difficult to access, creating major challenges in day-to-day operations.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.

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.

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.

Being developed with an API first mentality, FOLIO offers all aspects of functionality via API. This means that data can be created, read, updated and deleted (CRUD) using API; not just with FOLIO's UI. Working with FOLIO's API can be intimidating at first; however, freely available tools can make it a lot easier. In this session we will introduce you to FOLIO's API, some helpful tools, a few lessons learned from our mistakes, and the nuts and bolts behind some real-world examples. FOLIO's API can do things that the UI cannot; bring your wish list and we'll brainstorm some solutions.

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.

Participants will learn the necessity of developing multiple workflows, recognizing that no single approach will be perfect, and that flexibility and continuous improvement are key. The session also addresses practical considerations, such as adapting calendar management to better serve diverse student populations, including those with early or late check-outs and part-time schedules. Additionally, it highlights the critical need for data cleansing before migration, including addressing common errors like misspelled names and managing order record fields effectively. This talk will provide attendees with practical insights and actionable strategies for navigating an ILS transition, particularly those moving from Sierra to FOLIO. By sharing lessons learned and best practices, we aim to empower institutions to optimize their systems and better serve their communities.