Bridging the Gap: A Collaborative Finnish Approach to Integrated Electronic Resource Management (ERM) in Koha

Finnish academic libraries have established an open consortium to collaboratively maintain and develop a modular library system with Koha as its central component. As the importance and usage of electronic resources continue to grow in higher education, academic libraries require efficient tools and integrated workflows to manage the acquisition and activation of resources, usage monitoring, and discovery.

This presentation introduces a modular, API-driven approach to ERM that streamlines key processes across the resource lifecycle. Core components include the automated activation of electronic resources within the acquisition workflow, harvesting and analyzing COUNTER usage data via the COUNTER API (formerly SUSHI), and visualizing usage patterns in Microsoft Power BI to support informed decision-making. The project also explores enhancements to end-user discovery, including the implementation of EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) and its integration within the VuFind-based Finna search services.

By sharing practical outcomes, technical solutions, and lessons learned, this session highlights how collaborative development can advance Koha’s ERM capabilities and improve both staff workflows and user experience.