Get ePlatform Ready: Back-to-School Checklist

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes | Last updated: August 2025

When was the last time you checked in on your school’s digital library setup?

Small oversights like not updating user access, missing opportunities to promote new titles, or forgetting to use the latest platform features can quietly reduce student engagement and waste valuable subscription benefits.

We have seen schools increase borrowing by 20-40% simply by making a few key updates. If you do not stay on top of these tasks, it is easy for your library to go underused.

This back to school checklist will help you keep everything running smoothly, ensure students can always find great books, and make sure you are getting full value from your ePlatform subscription.

Key Takeaways

• A smooth start to the school year begins with updating your ePlatform patron records, year levels, and authentication settings so every student can log in without delays.
• Proactively refresh your library with new compilations and featured collections, and highlight special resources like decodables and the Wellness Collection to spark interest.
• Visibility matters: ensure links to your digital library are on your school website, student portals, and that the ePlatform app is available on all relevant devices.
• Consistent communication with students and parents about 24/7 access and borrowing guidance boosts engagement and maximises your subscription’s value.

Table of Contents

• Why a Back-to-School ePlatform Refresh Matters
• Technical Setup & Patron Management Checklist
  
• Library Content & Curation Checklist
  
• Promotion & Awareness Checklist
  
• Printable Back-to-School Checklist
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts

Why a Back-to-School ePlatform Refresh Matters

The start of a new school year sets the tone for everything that follows. If your ePlatform setup isn’t ready on day one, you risk login issues, missed opportunities to engage students, and a slow start to borrowing activity.

Just like a physical library needs to be organised and stocked before students arrive, your digital library should be updated, visible, and easy to access from the very first week. When patrons can log in without problems, see fresh and relevant collections, and know exactly how to get started, they’re far more likely to make borrowing a regular habit.

This isn’t just about avoiding technical hiccups, it’s about creating momentum. Schools that start the year strong often see higher engagement, better use of their subscription, and more consistent reading activity across all year levels. By taking a proactive approach now, you’re making sure your digital library works for you all year long, rather than scrambling to fix problems after the term has started.

Think of it like laying the pitch before a big match. Prepare it well, and the game flows smoothly. Skip the prep, and you’ll be dealing with bumps, delays, and distractions instead of focusing on the win.

Technical Setup & Patron Management Checklist

Before you start curating reading lists or decorating with promotional posters, you need a rock-solid foundation. If students can’t log in on day one, or teachers struggle to access the platform from their devices, borrowing momentum will stall before it even begins. Technical setup and patron management are about removing those roadblocks before they happen, so every student starts the year ready to read.

1. Update Your Patron (Student) Records

Accurate patron data is more than tidy admin work. It directly shapes the reading experience. When year levels, ages, and groups are correctly set, ePlatform can serve personalised recommendations and automatically filter content to match each student’s needs. This means fewer irrelevant search results and more “just right” reading options from day one.

Think of it like setting reading groups in class. You wouldn’t hand a beginner reader a complex senior novel, and your digital library shouldn’t either. Get these settings right now, and you’ll save yourself countless troubleshooting and content filtering issues later in the term.

2. Add New Patrons or Integrate with SSO

If your school has Single Sign-On (SSO), make sure it’s enabled and tested. It’s one of the fastest ways to boost access and reduce login headaches. With SSO, students and staff use their existing school credentials, cutting down on forgotten passwords and helpdesk tickets.

If you’re not using ePlatform with SSO yet, it’s worth checking whether your school can enable it. ePlatform integrates with most major LMS platforms, and our support team can help you confirm compatibility if you’re unsure. SSO streamlines access so students and staff can log in with their existing school credentials, reducing password issues and saving time.

If SSO isn’t available right now, make sure all new students and staff are uploaded manually before the term begins. Missing even a handful of users can mean some students spend their first library lesson watching others borrow books while they wait for access, not the first impression you want for your reading program.

3. Test Logins and Access

Never assume last year’s setup is still running smoothly. Devices get replaced, passwords expire, and school network settings can change over the break. Do a quick trial login as both a student and a teacher. Borrow a title, return it, and check the reading experience on multiple devices.

This simple five-minute test can uncover issues before they affect dozens of users at once. It’s far easier to fix a problem now than to field panicked help requests on the first day back.

4. Confirm ePlatform App Access on Devices

If your school uses managed devices, confirm that the ePlatform app is already installed and ready to go. For BYOD programs, send home a start-of-term checklist that includes a direct link to the app store download.

The goal is to make the path from “I want to read” to “I am reading” as short as possible. Every extra click, login screen, or setup step increases the chance a student gets distracted and doesn’t finish borrowing.

Library Content & Curation Checklist

Your library’s collection is the heartbeat of ePlatform. Once students have access, the next challenge is making sure what they see inspires them to explore, borrow, and return for more. A well-curated digital library feels dynamic, relevant, and personal. Offering something for every interest, subject, and reading level. This is where thoughtful content choices turn casual visitors into committed readers.

1. Update or Create New Compilations

Freshness is your best friend here. Create themed compilations that tie into the school calendar or popular trends such as “Back to School Reads,” “Sports Stories for Term 1,” or “Staff Picks.” This makes the homepage feel alive and relevant. These lists also guide hesitant borrowers. A student who is unsure where to start might click a themed collection simply because it feels curated for them.

To make the process easier and more inclusive, invite teachers from different departments to contribute their own lists. This not only spreads the workload but also ensures every subject area has reading embedded into it. For example, English teachers could share curriculum texts, the Science department might suggest engaging nonfiction titles, and the PE team could recommend biographies of famous athletes. These contributions create a richer, more varied library experience for students.

2. Explore Decodable Readers and Wellness Collections

Specialist collections are often the most valuable – yet most overlooked – resources in your digital library. Decodable readers are vital for early literacy and work brilliantly for students studying English as an Additional Language (EAL), offering structured, confidence-building practice through clear progression and controlled vocabulary.

For secondary students, the Wellness Collection can be a lifeline. Covering topics on mental health, resilience, and identity, giving them a private, judgement-free way to explore sensitive topics. Highlight both collections in newsletters, assemblies, and parent evenings so teachers, parents, and students know they’re available and can recommend them to those who need them most.

3. Remove Outdated Content

Nothing makes a digital library feel stale faster than last term’s content still sitting in prime position. Outdated compilations, like old seasonal reads, past event tie-ins, or exam resources long past their relevance – send the subtle message that the library isn’t being actively cared for. When that happens, students stop checking back, assuming nothing new is worth exploring.

Treat content rotation as an essential part of library maintenance. At the start of each term, review your compilations and retire anything no longer timely. Replace them with fresh themes tied to upcoming school events, curriculum units, or trending topics among students. You could even involve student leaders or library monitors in the process, asking for their input on what should stay, what should go, and what exciting collections could come next. This keeps the library feeling dynamic, relevant, and worth revisiting.

Promotion & Awareness Checklist

Even the best-stocked and most technically sound library will go underused if no one is talking about it. Promotion is not just about a launch at the start of the year. It’s an ongoing habit of keeping the library visible in school life. From strategic announcements to clever visual reminders, these steps help ePlatform become a daily habit rather than an occasional resource.

1. Welcome Back to School Messaging

Start the term with momentum. A warm, well-timed “Welcome Back” message to staff, students, and parents can do more than just mark the return to school. It can reintroduce ePlatform as a core part of the learning experience. Whether it’s via email, the school newsletter, or a staff meeting announcement, make sure your message includes a direct link to the platform and a quick teaser about what’s new this term – from fresh compilations to newly added titles.

Framing ePlatform as part of the school’s everyday reading culture from day one sets the tone for the rest of the year. This isn’t an optional extra; it’s a ready-to-use resource that supports learning, recreation, and literacy development across every age group.

2. Remind Students, Teachers and Parents About 24/7 Access

One of ePlatform’s biggest advantages is its availability any time, anywhere. Without regular reminders, even the most engaged users can forget that the library is open beyond the school gates. Term breaks, weekends, and evenings are prime reading opportunities, but only if students and families remember they have instant access to thousands of titles at their fingertips.

Build reminders into your communication routine. Include borrowing prompts in newsletters, post quick “Did you know?” tips on social media, and add banners to parent portals and staff bulletins. Small, consistent nudges keep the digital library top of mind and help turn occasional borrowers into regular readers.

3. Update School Website and Student Portals

If it takes three or four clicks to find ePlatform, you’re adding unnecessary friction. Easy access means more usage. Audit your school website, LMS, and student portal to see how quickly a user can get to ePlatform from the homepage. If the answer isn’t “almost instantly,” it’s time to simplify.

Add clear quick-access buttons or banners in high-traffic areas, such as the homepage, student dashboard, or class resource pages. When the link is obvious and inviting, more students will explore it – especially those who are new to the school or may not yet know the platform exists.

4. Use New Promotional Materials

Fresh visuals can re-energise interest in the library. Since ePlatform provides ready-made posters, flyers, digital banners and more, take advantage of them. These materials are designed to be eye-catching and professionally branded, making your library look modern and active with minimal effort on your part.

Rotate these materials regularly. Update display boards, refresh corridor posters, and swap out library signage each term. Even a simple change in visuals signals to students that something new is happening and prompts them to log in and see what’s available.

Printable Back-to-School Checklist

A clear plan turns good intentions into action. This checklist pulls together everything in this guide into one quick, easy-to-use reference. It’s the shortcut to making sure nothing is missed – from updating accounts to refreshing content and keeping the library visible. Keep it handy for staff briefings, library inductions, and start-of-term planning so your team can hit the ground running.

Get ePlatform Ready. Download the Back-to-School Checklist

Download Printable Checklist (A4 PDF)

FAQs

When should schools start preparing ePlatform for the new school year?

The ideal time to prepare is at least 1–2 weeks before students return. This gives you breathing room to update patron records, check year levels, refresh compilations, and test logins before the rush of term starts. Preparing early also means you can promote ePlatform from day one, so students get into the reading habit straight away.

What do schools need to do before the new school term starts?

Before the term begins, check three key areas:

• Access: Ensure all new students and staff have accounts, and remove any who have left.
• Content: Update or create new compilations for curriculum topics, recommended reads, and seasonal themes.
• Promotion: Prepare posters, login guides, and launch announcements so everyone knows how to access the platform.

Completing these steps in advance ensures a seamless experience for students and teachers.

Do schools need to update patron records if they use Single Sign-On (SSO)?

Yes. SSO manages authentication, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee patron records are accurate. Make sure your school’s SSO database includes all new users, has the correct year levels, and has removed any leavers. An annual check prevents login issues and keeps your usage reports clean.

How can schools boost library usage at the start of the school term?

Launch with a spotlight campaign. Feature themed reading compilations, announce “first book of the year” challenges, or run a borrowing competition between classes. Encourage teachers to use ePlatform in lessons so students get hands-on experience early on. The goal is to make reading a visible and shared activity from the very start.

What’s the best way to promote ePlatform to parents?

Send a short, clear guide via your school’s newsletter or parent app. Include a QR code or direct link to ePlatform, plus instructions on how students log in. You can also share book recommendations for home reading, so parents can encourage use outside school hours.

How can teachers integrate ePlatform into lessons?

Provide teachers with quick tips, such as assigning a chapter for homework, using eBooks for group reading, or linking specific titles to classroom topics. Integrating ePlatform into teaching builds regular student engagement.

What support is available if schools need help?

Schools can contact ePlatform support for login issues, technical troubleshooting, or guidance on features. There are also online help articles, step-by-step guides, and printable resources in the Admin area.

Final Thoughts

Getting your ePlatform ready for the new school year isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about setting up your staff and students for success from day one. When accounts are updated, devices are ready, and your library is stocked with fresh compilations, students are more likely to dive straight into reading.

By following a clear checklist and preparing early, you remove the roadblocks that can cause slow adoption and missed opportunities. You’ll also create a seamless start to the term where students, parents, and teachers all know how to access, use, and enjoy the platform.

Think of it as building momentum before the year even begins. A little extra preparation now can lead to higher engagement, stronger borrowing numbers, and a smoother experience for everyone.