Changes to RB Digital--Updated

From Marianne Lorio, 8/14:

In an effort to both save money and generate more usage, we are making some changes to what we offer through RBdigital starting September 1^st. Here is what you need to know:

•  We are switching to an unlimited simultaneous use plan that will offer fewer titles, but will include the most popular RBdigital audiobooks.
• We will start adding titles that are available exclusively through RBdigital to the collection. These will include titles by Danielle Steel, Fern Michaels, and Alexander McCall Smith among others.
• We are also reviewing the titles checked out from RBdigital for the past year for titles we need to add to the new collection.
• These added titles will not be unlimited use, but library customers will be able to place holds on the audiobooks that are checked out.
• The resulting collection will be smaller but more unique.
• Since I know someone will ask, some authors will have titles in OverDrive, but OverDrive can’t provide all of their titles. For example, Alexander McCall Smith’s juvenile titles are in OverDrive. However, the adult series he is best known for, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, is provided only by RBdigital.
• After September 1^st, it will take a couple of days for the records in the catalog to change to the new subscription.

From ML, 8/28: I just updated the description on the Research webpage to include a notice about this change. Please let me know if you get any questions you can’t answer or have any questions of your own.

From ML, 8/29: We’ve just found out that it is important for anyone who currently has an audiobook checked out from RBdigital to download it to their device before September 1^st. Otherwise their access to the audiobook will be impacted when our subscription plan changes beginning September. I have added this information to the description on the Research webpage, but anything you can do to spread the word will be appreciated.