Aspen pilot evaluation

Aspen is an open-source discovery system, which is provided by our Koha LMS supplier, Open Fifth.

Aspen offers many additional features above and beyond the existing Koha OPACs, including an Aspen app.

During 2025, five library services in the YorCat region agreed to assist with a pilot of Aspen. They received training from Open Fifth and developed Aspen sites to evaluate with their end-users. The pilot sites were:

• Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
• Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 

Each library service undertook a small number of individual interviews with end users to evaluate both Aspen and the existing NHS Knowledge and Library Hub (EBSCO Discovery Service).

9 interviews took place with end users from a range of professions, both clinical and non-clinical.

There were a number of key themes and findings that were identified during the interviews:

Information needs

Participants were asked about their current information needs, including the types of information that they usually search for. As expected, some participants indicated that they need “traditional library” resources, such as books and journal articles.

However, many participants highlighted non-traditional resources such as clinical guidelines, medical information, CPD resources and grey literature.

Current search practices

Participants were asked about where they currently look for information and which resources they access. They reported that they use a range of library resources, including those that required NHS OpenAthens. They also stated that they access information from other freely available systems, including AI. Google and Google Scholar remain very popular options for finding information.

Participants reported that they usually use a PC or laptop for searching but value mobile access for quick look-ups. Some participants requested a library app to help find resources.

Barriers to access

Participants were asked to comment on any barriers they currently face when accessing information. The most common barriers were login difficulties with NHS OpenAthens and interface complexity, but other barriers were also identified, including embargoed content and information overload. Ebooks were specifically identified as problematic to access.

Aspen discovery and NHS Knowledge and Library Hub evaluation

Participants were asked to undertake a series of tasks in Aspen Discovery and then repeat the same tasks in the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub (see appendix 1). They were asked to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both systems and then state which they preferred.

Participants identified that Aspen’s key strengths include an intuitive interface, quick searching, consolidated clinical resources, a clear layout and integrated BMJ Best Practice and NICE guidelines.

On the other hand, some participants found Aspen had limited filtering and searching options.

The Knowledge Hub’s strengths were identified as advanced filtering options, including a peer-review option, the ability to save searches and its professional academic interface. By contrast, participants were frustrated by OpenAthens login requirements, slower navigation, a bias towards journal articles and a complex interface for new users.

Overall, Aspen was preferred for speed, simplicity, visual clarity and relevance of results. The Knowledge Hub was preferred for advanced filtering, academic depth, and research functionality.

Platform preference

User feedback indicates that platform preference depends on the context of use. However participants were asked directly which platform they preferred – 7 out of 9 stated that they preferred Aspen Discovery. 2 participants stated that they did not have a preference.

Next steps

Aspen Discovery evaluated well with end-users and the findings will be considered during the 2026-7 discovery re-procurement process. Participants also identified desired improvements for both Aspen Discovery and the existing Knowledge and Library Hub, which should be considered as potential future system developments.