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Testing ePlatform Titles and Borrowing Links in Your LMS

After connecting your Library Management System (LMS) to ePlatform, test several titles to confirm that their catalogue records and ePlatform links work correctly.

Complete these checks after configuring a live API resource sync or importing MARC records.

Before testing

Select five to ten ePlatform titles for the test.

Include a mixture of:

  • eBooks;
  • Audiobooks;
  • recently added titles; and
  • titles you can locate directly in your ePlatform library.

If you are testing MARC records, export and import only these test records before importing the complete collection.

If you are testing the live API, complete the resource sync using the setup instructions supplied for your LMS before beginning.

Test the catalogue records

Search your Library Management System for each test title and compare the result with the corresponding title in ePlatform.

Check that the following information appears correctly:

  • title;
  • author;
  • ISBN;
  • eBook or Audiobook format;
  • cover image; and
  • ePlatform discovery or borrowing link.
Test Expected result
Catalogue search The ePlatform title appears in the LMS search results.
Title information The title, author, ISBN, and format match the ePlatform record.
Cover image The expected cover appears with the catalogue record.
ePlatform link The link opens the corresponding title in ePlatform.

Test every link in the sample group:

  1. Open the title’s record in your Library Management System.
  2. Select its ePlatform discovery or borrowing link.
  3. Confirm that ePlatform opens.
  4. Confirm that the link opens the correct title.
  5. Repeat the test with the remaining titles.

Do not complete the full MARC import or announce the LMS integration until the sample links open the expected titles.

Test the patron experience

After testing the records as an administrator, repeat the process using a patron account.

  1. Sign in to your Library Management System as a test patron.
  2. Search for one of the test ePlatform titles.
  3. Open the catalogue record.
  4. Select the ePlatform link.
  5. If prompted, sign in using the authentication method configured for your library.
  6. Confirm that the correct ePlatform title opens.
  7. Borrow the title if it is available.
  8. Open the title and confirm that reading or playback begins.

Being asked to sign in does not necessarily mean the catalogue link is broken. The patron may need to authenticate before accessing or borrowing the title.

Live API test problems

Titles do not appear after the resource sync

  1. Confirm that the API has been enabled for your ePlatform library.
  2. Confirm that the resource sync has been configured using the instructions for your LMS.
  3. Confirm that the supplied Client ID and Client Secret were entered as instructed.
  4. Run or check the resource sync using your LMS instructions.
  5. Record any error message displayed by your LMS.
  • Confirm that the title is still available in your ePlatform library.
  • Confirm that the link belongs to the same title.
  • Repeat the resource sync using your LMS instructions.
  • Record the affected title and ISBN.

MARC record test problems

Imported records do not appear

  • Confirm that the MARC import completed in your LMS.
  • Confirm that the exported file contained the expected records.
  • Confirm that the file format is supported by your LMS.
  • Review the import result or error message displayed by your LMS.

Record information or cover images are incorrect

Confirm whether your LMS requires .mrc or .dat files. If you are unsure, perform a small test using the format recommended by your LMS provider.

Do not import the complete collection until the sample records display correctly.

MARC records are static. If a title is withdrawn or its licence expires, the corresponding LMS record does not update automatically.

A patron may therefore find an older catalogue record for a title that is no longer available in ePlatform.

If this occurs:

  1. Search for the title directly in your ePlatform library.
  2. Confirm whether the title is still available.
  3. If the title is unavailable, remove or update the corresponding record in your LMS.
  4. If the title is available but its link opens the wrong page, record the title, ISBN, and affected link.

With a configured live API resource sync, records for expired licences can be removed automatically.

Need help?

For help with catalogue import or resource-sync settings inside your Library Management System, contact your LMS provider.

If the ePlatform catalogue data or title links do not work as expected, submit a support request or email support@eplatform.co.

Include:

  • your ePlatform library name;
  • the name of your Library Management System;
  • whether you are using the live API or MARC records;
  • an example affected title and ISBN;
  • the affected link, if available; and
  • the error message displayed, if any.