DOL Recorded Books Offer for Public Libraries

The Department of Libraries has a strong interest in supporting the expansion of electronic resources for citizen access via Vermont’s public libraries. The Vermont Online Library offers subscription licensed content at substantial discount for libraries, and DOL wants to build upon those resources.

To supplement VOL content the Department of Libraries (DOL) is negotiating with a number of vendors to make available digital/web-based products for public libraries at discount prices. Recorded Books is one of those vendors. Academic libraries may also be interested to learn more about OneClickDigital in case we can negotiate a discount for academic libraries. Sorry: DOL cannot include school libraries in the Recorded Books offers in 2011.

Recorded Books

GOOD NEWS!  Please read the following announcement to learn about two Recorded Books products for public libraries, and about upcoming webinars that will give you more information about:

Universal Class

Will be available in 2011 for all public libraries with DOL paying 100% of the cost!

Recorded Books’ Universal Class is an educational service providing the highest quality online courses for patrons interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Lifelong learning not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also competitiveness and employability. To date, over 300,000 students have benefited from Universal Class state-of-the-art online courses! Libraries can offer more than 500 online courses to patrons.

The Department of Libraries plans to offer this service to all public libraries in Vermont at no cost to libraries. DOL is completing contract negotiations and hopes this service will be available for libraries this summer.

OneClickDigital Downloadable AudioBooks

DOL is working with Recorded Books to offer this product to public libraries at a volume discounted price; libraries subscribe at 100% of the discounted cost. Discount depends upon number of particiapting libraries.

Recorded Books is launching this new platform for downloadable audio. Public library audiobooks include a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles for (1) adults and (2) youth for unlimited simultaneous users. The collection includes core titles with new titles added on a regular basis. Pricing is based on library circulation.

  • Access to thousands of Recorded Books titles
  • Access to thousands of titles from other publishers
  • All downloads are iPod compatible

The Department of Libraries will act as the purchasing agent for public libraries, and local libraries will pay 100% of the discounted cost. (That means that libraries will be invoiced by the Department of Libraries. Service delivery will be dependent upon receipt of payment.)  Discount/pricing will depend on the number of subscribing libraries. The more libraries that subscribe to OneClickDigital – the lower the cost! Regular pricing for annual subscriptions ranges from $3100 to $6200 per library (for adult and youth titles) and we want to bring the cost down for Vermont libraries!

Libraries make no commitment to subscribe until we negotiate the volume discount with Recorded Books. But we will need to know how many libraries are interested in order to get the best price. Learn more by “attending” one of 4 scheduled webinars.

Libraries make their final commitment when they sign an agreement with the Department of Libraries.

  • Learn more at scheduled Recorded Books webinars (see schedule below)
  • Deadline to let DOL know that you’d like to subscribe: June 30, 2011

Send an email to renee.ancel@state.vt.us to let us know your library is interested. DOL will negotiate a price once we know how many libraries are interested and we will let you know the discount availaible.

  • Estimated start date for OneClickDigital Service: September 1, 2011.

This offer is for public libraries, but we encourage academic libraries to view these webinars. If there is interest, we will work with academic libraries for a similar discount program. Note: Recorded Books offers both (a) public library (popular adult) and (b) academic library collections.

Attend one of these webinars to learn more:

1. Friday, May 13, 2011 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

To join webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/190685258

Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (773) 897-3001

Access Code: 190-685-258

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 190-685-258

2. Wednesday, May 18, 2011 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

To join the webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/442986674

Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (415) 363-0071

Access Code: 442-986-674

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 442-986-674

3. Wednesday, May 18, 2011 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

To join webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/944759746

Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (213) 286-1200

Access Code: 944-759-746

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 944-759-746

4. Monday, May 23, 2011, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

To join webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/713871787
Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.
Dial +1 (213) 289-0010
Access Code: 713-871-787
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 713-871-787

Martha Reid
State Librarian
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Tel: (802) 828-3265
Fax: (802) 828-2199
martha.reid@state.vt.us
Website: http://libraries.vermont.gov/