Start 2026 on the Right Page: Your ePlatform Health Check

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes | Last updated: January 2026

Whether you are kicking off a brand new academic year in the Southern Hemisphere, launching the National Year of Reading 2026 in the UK, or returning for the Spring semester in the US and Europe, the start of January brings a unique energy to the school library.

We appreciate that the start of the year can be chaotic. Between finalising timetables and welcoming students back, your digital library administration might slip down the to-do list. However, a small effort now makes a big impact on your students' reading engagement throughout the rest of the year.

To save you time now (and later on), we’ve put together a short checklist that acts as a quick health-check of your ePlatform. This guide focuses on the three critical areas to update in your first week back to ensure your eLibrary is ready for your students.

Note: If you are setting up ePlatform for the very first time or need a deep dive into technical configuration, check out our Comprehensive Technical Setup Guide from August 2025 here.

Key Takeaways

• A "Health Check" is different from a full setup; it focuses on quick wins to re-engage students after the school holiday break.
• Updating patron data (adding new students and removing leavers) is the most critical step to prevent login barriers.
• Refreshing your homepage with "New Year" themes or "National Year of Reading" collections signals to students that the library is active and current.

Table of Contents

• 1. Update Patrons: Manage Student & Staff Access
• 2. Library Curation: Refresh Your Homepage & Settings
• 3. Spread the Word: Promote Your eLibrary
• Helpful Resources
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts

1. Update Patrons: Manage Student & Staff Access

The most common barrier to reading is a failed login. If a student wants to read but can’t get in, they often won't try again. Ensuring your user data is clean is the foundation of a successful term.

Welcome the New Arrivals

Have new students or staff joined your school in January? Ensure they have been added to ePlatform immediately.

• Manual Uploads: If you upload users via CSV, make this your priority task for the first week.

• Automated Integrations: If you use an automated sync via Wonde, Accessit, Oliver, or another Single Sign-n (SSO) / Library Management System (LMS), run a quick "spot check." Search for a few known new students in the admin area to confirm the data is pulling through correctly.

Remove the "Leavers"

Data hygiene is just as important as adding new users. Remove students or staff who have left the school to keep your license count accurate and your reporting data clean. This prevents skewed statistics when you run your reports later in the year.

Check Year Levels (For AU/NZ)

For schools starting a new academic year (like those in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia), ensure your new intake (Year 7s/Freshmen) is uploaded and that their year levels are correct. This ensures they see age-appropriate content immediately.

2. Library Curation: Refresh Your Homepage & Settings

Just as you create physical displays for the new term, your digital "shop window" needs a refresh. A static homepage implies a static library, whereas a refreshed page generates excitement.

Check Age Restrictions

Ensure your collection remains age-appropriate by double-checking your age and/or year-level restriction settings. This is crucial for safeguarding, ensuring younger students aren't stumbling upon senior content as they move up a year level.

Refresh Homepage Compilations

The start of the year is a great opportunity to help students discover great new reads, and your library homepage is the most visible space on ePlatform. Move the Christmas collections to the archive and try these ideas:

• Curriculum Texts: Highlight books relevant to the subjects being taught this term (e.g., "History: WWII Fiction" or "Science & Nature").
• "New Year, New Series": Feature the first book in popular series to get students hooked on a long-running story.
• National Year of Reading 2026: For our UK customers, a spotlight on this national campaign is a must! Feature award winners or "Staff Picks" to celebrate the launch.
• Year Level Collections: Create tailored lists like "Best for Year 7," "Middle School Must-Reads," or "Senior Study Texts" to help students find relevant books faster.
• Audiobook Spotlight: Create a "Listen While You Learn" row for students who prefer audio learning.

3. Spread the Word: Promote Your eLibrary

It’s hard for students (and staff!) to use your eLibrary if they don’t know about it. Even if you promoted it last year, the holiday break often acts as a "reset" button on student habits. Promote your ePlatform around your school community to drive those early borrowing numbers.

For the Teachers

Send our short ePlatform Overview for Staff Video to teachers in each department (especially English and Learning Support). Remind them that ePlatform isn't just for leisure; it includes dyslexia-friendly fonts and settings that support classroom accessibility.

For the Parents

Send home a Letter to Parents via your school newsletter or app to encourage reading at home. Remind them that 2026 is a big year for literacy and that they have 24/7 access to the library by using their child's ePlatform login.

For the Students

Show classes the Getting Started on ePlatform for Students Video during orientation, homeroom time, or library sessions. A visual reminder is often all it takes to get them browsing again.

Helpful Resources

You don't need to create these materials from scratch. You have access to our suite of Free Promotional Resources including posters, social media images, digital banners for your LMS, and much more.

Click here to explore ePlatform's full suite of Promotional Resources
(Or go to your ePlatform Portal > Admin > Promotional Resources)

FAQs

How do I verify if my new students are synced?

Go to the Patrons section in your Admin portal. Search for a known new student. If they appear with the correct Year Level, your sync is working. If not, please contact support.

Can I automate my patron updates?

Yes. If you are currently uploading CSV files manually, we highly recommend switching to an automated sync (integration) with your management system. This saves time and ensures data is always accurate. For more information, see details on Patron Authentication.

Is the National Year of Reading relevant for schools outside the UK?

While the official campaign is UK-based, the spirit of the event is global! Schools in Australia, New Zealand, US, and Asia can absolutely use the buzz to run their own "Year of Reading" challenges within the school.

Many students received new devices (tablets or phones) as gifts. How do they access the library?

ePlatform is compatible with almost every device. Remind students they can download the free ePlatform App from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Microsoft store. They can also read directly in any web browser without installing an app.

My borrowing statistics dropped significantly over the holidays. Is this normal?

Yes, a dip in usage over the break is very common as routines change. Do not be discouraged! This is exactly why the "Spread the Word" step in this checklist is vital. A quick relaunch campaign in the first weeks of the term usually sees those numbers bounce back quickly.

Final Thoughts

It only takes a small effort now to make a big impact on your students' reading throughout the rest of the year. By ensuring your users can log in, your content looks fresh, and your community knows you are open for business, you are setting the stage for a successful 2026.

If you have any questions about your ePlatform, are seeking ideas to promote it, or require technical help, feel free to contact us. We’re here to support you in your role.

Wishing you and your students a great start to the year!