Tell us about your role at EBSCO.
My title is Library Automation Manager, and my main role is to support all services involving the exchange of data between EBSCO and the library management system. I work with directly with ILS vendor contacts, keep up-to-date reading library system release notes and identify new opportunities for system integration services for customers.
What other roles have you held in the information industry?
My career in the industry started in 1994 at Blackwell North America working in a variety of technical positions. I have worked as an IT manager supporting internal staff and as an external EDI and product specialist supporting customers and staff around the globe.
Simplifying technology for end-users is the best part of my job. Studying a workflow from beginning to end and identifying steps in the process that can be improved and enhanced with automation is what motivates me. Before working at EBSCO, I worked for Swets, a former large subscription agent. While at Swets, I was asked to increase customer awareness and usage for their web-based subscription management tool. I worked with marketing, customer service and sales and led a successful campaign that resulted in an increase of the customer knowledge and day-to-day usage.
Participating in standards groups including EDItEUR and NISO has been a valuable opportunity in my career. It is fascinating to study the detail and flexibility a standard can offer. Many people think standards are rigid, but in fact, it is the opposite. A good standard supports a variety of needs in a well-defined manner and is “smart” enough to grow and adapt as needs change.
When library systems began moving to the cloud, I was working for Swets. During that time, I was tasked to begin exploring new opportunities to integrate the Swets Subscription Management System with the new cloud-based ILS systems and I have been able to continue this work in my role at EBSCO.
Simplifying technology for end-users is the best part of my job.
Simplifying technology for end-users is the best part of my job.
Tell us about one of the projects you are currently working on at EBSCO.
EBSCO recently launched a new feature to integrate the EBSCONET Journal Renewal Service with ILS systems. Meeting with customers and observing their renewal process from start to finish identified many integration opportunities and helped drive this development. In addition, our ILS partners have been an invaluable asset to the success of this project.
EBSCO customers can now configure a fully customizable integration profile and deliver automatic updates to ILS purchase order lines as they renew orders in EBSCONET. The response from customers has been overwhelming. Customers are using terms like “real-time renewals” and sharing the value and efficiencies this new service is offering.
What other opportunities do you see coming that will help bring efficiencies to libraries and their workflow?
As our customers use the EBSCONET Renewal Integration Service, they are sending us new ideas to further integrate EBSCONET with their ILS System. It’s clear we are on the right path to increase the efficiency of the journal management process through system integration.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Every Saturday I watch my son bowl with his team in a Special Olympics League. Throughout his life, he has participated in Special Olympics basketball, the Challenger Baseball League and bowling. It has been such a blessing to be a part of this community and celebrate the small but great accomplishments we often take for granted.
