Goal: KSUL aims to complete the rollout of the remaining products on the product portfolio included in our Ex Libris LSP agreement, including the library mobile app, digital collections and preservation platform, and the course reading list tool.

Mobile App

Objective 1: Soft launch the library mobile app and iterate the options and interface based on user feedback.

Strategies:

1. Complete the design and layout of the UI (done Nov 25)
   
   Tactics:
   • Create our own icon set (done Oct 25)
   • Author page content (done Oct 25)
   • Write hours API (done Nov 25)
   • Build app integration including authentication, greeting, map, and Primo (done Oct 25)
      
2. Introduce app to targeted groups for feedback.
   
   Tactics:
   • Present to UL Student Advisory Council (done Nov 25)
   • Share with UL Faculty & Staff in News & Notes (done Nov 25)
   • Present to ULFSAC (done Dec 25)

Objective 2: Publicly launch the library mobile app campus-wide in spring semester 2026 with the target of 1000 registered users by the end of the semester.

Strategies:

1. Marketing plan
   
   Tactics:
   • Newsletters – internal & external (done Feb 26)
   • Digital displays – UL & in student center (done Feb 26)
   • Email blast 
   • Social media posts (done Feb 26)
   • Physical display and flyers (table tents) in library that includes QR code to download (done Feb 26)
   • Promote at DKS & Late Night
   • Solicit faculty to use in Flashes 101

Alma Specto Digital Collections & Preservation Platform

Objective: Publicly launch the Alma Specto Digital Collections & Preservation platform in early 2026 and begin decommissioning our legacy platforms. 

Strategies: 

1. Go live with Alma Specto
   
   Tactics:
   • Configure Special Collections & Archives library in Alma (done Oct 25)
   • Configure the new NDE view for our special collections & archives
   • Author exhibition site and update UL public site as appropriate
   • Develop digitization and fulfillment workflows 
   • Develop deposit workflows 
   • Demo platform to both internal and external UL users
      
2. Decommission legacy platforms
   
   Tactics:
   • Remove public access to Omeka 
   • Begin the process to sunsetting the PODs infrastructure 
   • Develop exit plan from AWS if appropriate 
      
3. OAKS collection evaluation
   
   Tactics:
   • Evaluation collections currently on OAKS 
   • Identify those to be migrated to Alma Specto and migrate them

Course Reading List Tool

Objective 1: Pilot the Ex Libris Course Reading List tool, which integrates with Canvas, during the spring semester with 5-10 faculty and assess their experience 

Strategies:

1. Recruit faculty to participate in the pilot
   
   Tactics:
   • Analyze reserves/Ares data for possible candidates (done Dec 25)
   • Appeal to ULFSAC (done Dec 25)
   • Engage with Kent State Online for recruitment (done Dec 25)
   • Send engagement emails to possible candidates (done Dec 25)
   • Invite candidates to brown bag lunch & learn 
      
2. Train and mentor pilot faculty using the Course Reading List
   
   Tactics: 
   • Hands-on sessions with faculty and instructional designers (done Jan 26)
   • Curate list of asynchronous instructional tools 
   • Regular check-ins with faculty during semester 
   • Create pilot cohort and hold networking sessions to share experiences 
      
3. Assess pilot faculty experience
    

   Tactics:

   • Develop qualitative survey to use to interview faculty 
   • Develop success metrics for measuring affordability impact
      

Objective 2: Reach an adoption level of the Course Reading List tool of at least 50 faculty and/or(?) 100 courses by the end of 26-27 academic year. 

Strategies:

1. Develop a campus-wide implementation plan
   
   Tactics: 
   • Hold show and tell sessions with pilot faculty (as co-presenters with library staff) 
   • Develop a communication strategy to reach faculty 
   • Partner with instructional designers to promote 
      
2. Train SRS librarians and other front-line staff
   
   Tactics: 
   • Hands-on sessions with librarians and instructional designers 
   • Develop an outreach toolkit 
      
3. Develop appropriate Resource Sharing workflows in Alma
   
   Tactics: 
   • Create digitization forms 
   • Develop departmental workflow 
   • Create department service level metrics (i.e. turnaround expectations)