NHS Blood and Transplant doubles library usage with Soutron ILS
Our long-term partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant demonstrates how Soutron Global’s Integrated Library System (ILS) transforms knowledge access for geographically dispersed teams.
The case study, titled “Empowering Healthcare Professionals: NHSBT Doubles Library Engagement with Soutron,” showcases how Soutron’s Integrated Library System has transformed knowledge access for a geographically dispersed healthcare workforce.
Led by Jane Gray, Knowledge and Library Services Manager at NHSBT, the organization supports more than 5,000 healthcare professionals working across multiple sites nationwide. With limited physical access to a central library and increasing demand for remote and digital resources, NHSBT required a robust, intuitive platform to ensure staff could easily discover and access critical knowledge anytime, anywhere.
Key NHSBT knowledge access objectives included:
- Provide easy, intuitive discovery for remote users
- Serve diverse professional groups with different information needs
- Integrate seamlessly into existing NHSBT digital environments such as SharePoint
- Support both print and electronic resources
- Scale and evolve over time
Soutron’s configurable ILS was implemented as a fully branded, visually engaging virtual library, embedded directly within NHSBT’s SharePoint intranet, bringing library services to staff regardless of location.
Key Library Solution Highlights from the Case Study:
- Remote Access & Discovery: Soutron’s ILS enables intuitive browsing of resources, including book jackets and automated new-item carousels
- Integrated Print & Digital Resources: Seamless access to EBSCO eBooks and other essential materials
- Customizable Portal: A branded, visually engaging catalog embedded within NHSBT’s SharePoint intranet
- Improved User Experience: Semantic metadata and subject browsing simplify resource discovery for diverse user groups
The results have been significant. NHSBT has doubled library usage, enabling staff who cannot visit the library in person to explore, discover and access vital knowledge resources.
“Soutron is like a shop window really for the people who can’t come into the library and browse,” said Jane Gray, Knowledge and Library Services Manager, NHS Blood & Transplant.
Key outcomes for NHSBT from their 20-year partnership with Soutron Global:
- Library engagement DOUBLED
- Remote staff gained equal access to critical knowledge resources
- Discovery improved across all professional groups
- The library became a visible, accessible service, not a physical location
The case study also highlights the strength of the nearly 20-year partnership between NHSBT and Soutron, demonstrating how the platform has evolved over time to meet changing organizational and technological needs.
“This case study is a powerful example of how discovery-led library systems can transform access to knowledge in complex, distributed organizations,” said Brad Frasher CEO, Soutron Global. “We’re proud to support NHS Blood & Transplant in delivering critical knowledge to an organization that helps save lives every day.”
Related links:
Soutron Information Management
Soutron Integrated Library System