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Launching ePlatform at Your School

A successful ePlatform launch combines working patron access, a tested collection, clear instructions for students and staff, and regular promotion.

Use this guide to prepare your ePlatform library, introduce it to your school community, and review activity after launch.

About the navigation in this guide: Paths such as Admin area → Patrons → Import / Update Patrons show where to find a feature after signing in to your library's ePlatform portal.

On this page

1. Plan the launch

Select a launch date and identify the staff members who will be responsible for the different parts of the launch.

Confirm who will manage:

  • patron accounts and login questions;
  • SSO, network, device, or Library Management System support;
  • communications with students, staff, and families;
  • the ePlatform collection and purchasing requests;
  • classes and book assignments, if your school uses them; and
  • analytics and reports after launch.

Make sure students and staff know who they should contact at school if they have an account or login problem.

2. Prepare patron access

Before promoting ePlatform, confirm how students and staff will log in.

Manually managed patron accounts

  • Add one patron: Admin area → Patrons → Add Patron.
  • Add or update multiple patrons: Admin area → Patrons → Import / Update Patrons.

SSO, LDAP, or SIP2

If your school uses a connected authentication method, work with your IT team and ePlatform Support to confirm that the connection has been configured.

Authentication options documented for ePlatform include:

  • Single Sign-On (SSO): patrons use their existing school or organisation account;
  • LDAP: patrons use their network credentials; and
  • SIP2: patrons use credentials from a compatible Library Management System.

For more information, see:

Prepare the access information

Prepare the information students and staff will need to open the correct ePlatform library.

Using a web browser

Provide your library's unique ePlatform web address. Students should use this link to open your school's collection before logging in.

Using the mobile or tablet app

Students can add the library in the ePlatform app by:

  • searching for the school or library name;
  • entering the library's setup code; or
  • scanning the library's ePlatform QR code.

A setup code or QR code adds the library to the app. Students may still need to log in using the username, password, or SSO method provided by the school.

For more information, see:

Prepare test accounts

Prepare two or three patron accounts that can be used to test the student experience.

If your school uses age or year-level restrictions, use test accounts with different ages or year levels.

3. Review content restrictions

If your school restricts titles using patron age or year level, confirm that the required patron information is available.

  • Restrict by year level: Admin area → Restrict Titles by Age or Year Level → Restrict by Year Level.
  • Restrict by age: Admin area → Restrict Titles by Age or Year Level → Restrict by Age.

Age restrictions require date-of-birth information to be supplied through the patron data or authentication method.

Year-level restrictions require year-level information to be supplied through the patron data or authentication method.

Test the restrictions using appropriate patron accounts before introducing ePlatform to students.

For more information, see Restricting Titles by Age or Year Level.

4. Prepare the library homepage

Review how your ePlatform library will appear to students and staff.

  • Banner, logo, and theme: Admin area → Customise Library Homepage & Compilation → Banner, Logo & Theme.
  • Homepage compilations: Admin area → Customise Library Homepage & Compilation → Library Homepage & Compilation.
  • Launch announcement: Admin area → Manage Library → Creating and Updating a Site Notice.

Homepage compilations can be used to feature:

  • popular titles;
  • new additions;
  • curriculum topics;
  • staff recommendations;
  • seasonal reading; and
  • titles selected for particular ages or year levels.

Use the Creating and Updating a Site Notice to publish information that should be displayed to visitors on the library homepage.

For more information, see:

5. Test the student experience

Test the complete student experience before sharing ePlatform with the wider school community.

Test the web version

  1. Open the unique ePlatform web address for your library.
  2. Confirm that the correct library name and homepage are displayed.
  3. Log in using a test patron account.
  4. Search for an available eBook.
  5. Borrow the eBook and confirm that it opens in the reader.
  6. Search for an available Audiobook.
  7. Borrow the Audiobook and confirm that playback begins.
  8. Open My Loans and confirm that the borrowed titles are displayed.

Test the mobile or tablet app

  1. Open the ePlatform app.
  2. Add the library by searching for its name, entering its setup code, or scanning its QR code.
  3. Confirm that the correct library is displayed.
  4. Log in using a test patron account.
  5. Borrow and open an eBook.
  6. Borrow and play an Audiobook.
  7. Confirm that the test account's loans are displayed in My Loans.

Test other configured features

  • If your library uses age or year-level restrictions, test the library using appropriate accounts.
  • If your library uses SSO, test the SSO login process.
  • If ePlatform titles appear in an external library catalogue, open a title from that catalogue and confirm that its link works.
  • If your school uses classes and book assignments, confirm that a test assignment appears for the relevant student.

If a test fails, record the affected account, device or browser, navigation path, and exact error message. Do not record or send the patron's password.

6. Prepare staff

Before launch, give staff the information they need to introduce ePlatform and answer basic student questions.

Staff information should include:

  • the library's unique ePlatform web address;
  • the app setup code or QR code;
  • the login method used by the school;
  • how students search for, borrow, reserve, and return titles;
  • who manages patron accounts;
  • who handles technical issues; and
  • where to find ePlatform help and training.

Staff video tutorials

Share the ePlatform video tutorials for administrators and staff.

Classes and book assignments

If teachers will use classes or book assignments, show them where these tools are located:

  • Classes: Admin area → Manage Classes → Add Classes.
  • Book assignments: Admin area → Manage Classes → Assign Books.

For more information, see Creating and Managing Classes and Assigning Books to Students.

7. Introduce ePlatform to students

Give students a short demonstration that matches the device and login method they will use.

Show students:

  • how to open the school's ePlatform website;
  • how to find and add the library in the mobile app;
  • how to log in using the method provided by the school;
  • how to browse or search for a title;
  • how to borrow an available title;
  • how to reserve a title that is not currently available;
  • how to open an eBook or play an Audiobook;
  • how to find borrowed titles in My Loans;
  • how to return a title; and
  • where to get help at school.

If students will use ePlatform away from school, also explain how to download supported titles in the app before going offline.

You can also share the ePlatform video tutorials for students.

8. Promote the launch

Promotion helps students and staff remember that the digital collection is available and understand how to access it.

Ready-made promotional resources are available from Admin area → Library → Promotional Materials.

Available resources include:

  • posters;
  • bookmarks;
  • digital banners;
  • social media images;
  • letter templates for students, staff, and families;
  • awards and certificates;
  • high-resolution logos; and
  • video tutorials.

You can also promote ePlatform through:

  • the school website or student portal;
  • staff and student notices;
  • school newsletters;
  • library and classroom demonstrations;
  • parent communications;
  • posters and bookmarks around the school; and
  • links to relevant ePlatform titles from lessons or class resources.

For more ideas, see Promotion Strategies.

9. Launch ePlatform

On launch day:

  1. Share the correct ePlatform web address with students and staff.
  2. Share the app setup code or QR code if students will use the mobile app.
  3. Provide the login instructions used by your school.
  4. Demonstrate how to find, borrow, and open a title.
  5. Tell students who to contact if they cannot log in.
  6. Publish the launch message through your selected school communication channels.
  7. Make the promotional resources visible around the school.

Remember that a setup code or QR code adds the library to the app. Students may still need to log in using their patron account or school SSO.

10. Monitor activity after launch

Go to Admin area → View Analytics & Reports → Analytics Overview to review library activity after launch.

The Analytics Overview includes information about:

  • total loans;
  • total reserves;
  • active patrons;
  • active titles;
  • loans and reserves by month;
  • popular titles; and
  • whether patrons are using the web portal, mobile apps, or Library Management System.

Use the available date filters when reviewing the launch period.

For more information, see Viewing Usage Analytics.

Training and support

When requesting technical assistance, include:

  • your school or library name;
  • your ePlatform portal address;
  • the affected account or feature;
  • the device or browser used;
  • the navigation path followed; and
  • the exact error message displayed.

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