Penguin Random House and Macmillan have implemented new terms for audiobooks and ebooks to public libraries. Collection managers who want to purchase more content for their branches will be able to receive new discounts from some of the biggest books. Macmillan has abandoned their embargo on all new titles and also ones from TOR. All of the wholesalers who power the digital side of things are offering the same deals, such as Overdrive.
Penguin Random House
To support the library and school communities during the global COVID-19 crisis, Penguin Random House (PRH) is offering additional purchasing options on PRH-published ebook and audiobook titles. These pricing updates are now reflected in OverDrive Marketplace and will be available through mid-June 2020.
Additional details:
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- PRH-published ebooks and audiobooks are now available in a 12-month term at 50% of the cost of the 24-month term option.
- PRH-published ebooks and audiobooks are also available in a cost-per-circulation model at 10% of the cost of the 24-month term option.
- These new models are offered in addition to Penguin Random House’s 24-month term for ebooks and One Copy/One User model for audiobooks.
- These updates are available to all library and school partners worldwide.
Macmillan US
Starting March 19th, Macmillan US ebooks will be offered in a Metered Access model at a 24-month term. Macmillan has waved the embargo on ebook titles with further details below.
Additional details:
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- With this change, libraries will no longer be restricted from purchasing additional copies during the first 8 weeks following a title’s publication.
- Macmillan is eliminating the one-unit perpetual access option. Titles currently pre ordered under the One Copy/One User model will be converted to the Metered Access model at a 24-month term. You can also order additional pre order units of these titles, as the one copy limit has been removed. Please contact your Account Manager if you’d like help reviewing these titles.
- All Macmillan US ebooks will be eligible to move or share via Advantage Plus, with the exception of any titles owned in the One Copy/One User model.
- There will be no changes to the lending terms for audiobook titles. Audiobook titles will remain available in the One Copy/One user model.
- In light of this change, we will remove applicable patron messaging from Libby and your library’s OverDrive website.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
