Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Checking out Software Licenses: Expanding Equitable Access and Maximizing License-Use Efficiency
Date/Time
3/19/2025
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
Event Registration
Competency
Collection Management and Information Technology
Event Description
Are you looking for a better way to provide your patrons with access to expensive software like Adobe Creative Cloud and Apple’s Final Cut Pro? Rather than only providing in-library access to software, the Miami University Libraries have developed a process for checking out short-term access to software licenses that users can request and use on their own devices. These short-term loans have led to student cost savings and high rates of license utilization and a strong return on investment.
This innovative strategy takes advantage of the software industry’s move away from device based licensing to user-based licensing models (SaaS), allowing us to allocate access on an as-needed basis.
This project makes high-end software more readily available to library users, mitigating some effects of the digital divide, particularly when paired with the library’s laptop lending program. By providing access to software on users’ own devices, it allows the Libraries to meet users where they are, making services more accessible to users.
Aimed at e-resources librarians, library technologists and forward-thinking library leaders, this presentation will explore the benefits and challenges of the system, and provide guidance on the circumstances under which libraries can make use of a similar model. This model can work for universities, community college, school systems, businesses, or government agencies (public library implementation may be possible, but may require further development). We will provide an overview of the SaaS model, the technical processes we use, and the usage, growth, and cost savings we have seen in the first four years of this program.
Learning Objectives:
This innovative strategy takes advantage of the software industry’s move away from device based licensing to user-based licensing models (SaaS), allowing us to allocate access on an as-needed basis.
This project makes high-end software more readily available to library users, mitigating some effects of the digital divide, particularly when paired with the library’s laptop lending program. By providing access to software on users’ own devices, it allows the Libraries to meet users where they are, making services more accessible to users.
Aimed at e-resources librarians, library technologists and forward-thinking library leaders, this presentation will explore the benefits and challenges of the system, and provide guidance on the circumstances under which libraries can make use of a similar model. This model can work for universities, community college, school systems, businesses, or government agencies (public library implementation may be possible, but may require further development). We will provide an overview of the SaaS model, the technical processes we use, and the usage, growth, and cost savings we have seen in the first four years of this program.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how the program can increase equitable and cost-effective use of software licenses.
- Identify the resources needed to implement a software checkout program at their library.
- Describe the mechanisms of an open-source software project that they can use to circulate software licenses in their library.
Location
Setting: Live Virtual
Online via Zoom
UNITED STATES
Online via Zoom
UNITED STATES
Contact Person
Details
Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in learning about checking out software
Competency: Collection Management, Technology Ifrastructure Support and Management
Non-Member Cost: $40
NEO-RLS Bronze Member Cost: $24
NEO-RLS Silver Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Gold Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Individual Member Cost: $20
Can't attend on the date or time listed? Sign up anyway! All of our webinars include archive access for later viewing at your convenience.
Competency: Collection Management, Technology Ifrastructure Support and Management
Non-Member Cost: $40
NEO-RLS Bronze Member Cost: $24
NEO-RLS Silver Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Gold Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Individual Member Cost: $20
Can't attend on the date or time listed? Sign up anyway! All of our webinars include archive access for later viewing at your convenience.
It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO-RLS Memberships are pro-rated! Call us today to join.
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