UPDATE

18 March 2025

Included in this update

In this EPIC Update I have highlighted some changes to EPIC subscription options for 2025-2026 as well as listing a range of new subscription options that will be available. The update will include:

Changes for 2025-2026 to subscriptions from the following vendors:

JCS Online Resources
James Bennett
RMIT Publishing
NewsBank

New subscription options in 2025-2026 from the following vendors:

New Zealand Geographic
Bloomsbury
Digitales
Infobase
Gale Cengage

The How to access information about EPIC subscription options section of EPIC – a guide for member libraries outlines how to find out more about subscription options available through EPIC, including how to access subscription pricing information from the secure section of EPIC pricing and sub-licence agreements page of the National Library website by using your EPIC account login.

Changes for 2025-2026

JCS Online Resources:

FindMyPast - a separate UK 1921 Census subscription is no longer required:

In previous years, subscribers have had to set up a separate UK 1921 Census subscription to be able to access UK 1921 census information through FindMyPast. This is no longer necessary. UK 1921 census information can now be accessed through a standard FindMyPast subscription.

James Bennett:

StoryBox Library – replaced by StoryBox Hub subscription options:

StoryBox Hub is the new name for a combined subscription to StoryBox Library and Story Tools.

There are 2 StoryBox Hub subscription options available through EPIC:

StoyBox Hub – Value – access to StoryBox Library and one video from the Story Tools selection – this is the equivalent of the original StoryBox Library subscription.
StoryBox Hub – Premium – access to StoryBox Library plus all Story Tools and all printable resources.

RMIT Publishing:

Informit Core replacing ALL separate Informit database collections:

RMIT Publishing have merged ALL the Informit database collections that were previously available as individual subscriptions through EPIC into a single, flagship research collection called Informit Core.

Informit Core provides multi-disciplinary access to over 3.7 million records from journals, conference proceedings, books and reports across a broad range of subjects.

In recognition of this change, RMIT Publishing are offering special introductory pricing to subscribe to Informit Core through EPIC in 2025-2026 for both current individual Informit database subscribers and new subscribers.

NewsBank:

New tertiary library pricing band – EFTS less than 500:

NewsBank have added a new pricing band for small tertiary libraries with EFTS less than 500 to subscribe to either Access Global NewsBank 2025 or Access New Zealand 2026

The new pricing band to look out for is C Small Tertiary Libraries A.

New subscription options in 2025-2026

New Zealand Geographic:

A subscription option available to all Library sectors either packaged with other NZ Geo products or a stand alone subscription.

NZ Geo AI

Working with RNZ and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, New Zealand Geographic is building the first artificial intelligence application for public release designed to answer general interest questions about New Zealand.

A preview of NZ Geo AI will be available in April with public release scheduled for July.

Bloomsbury:

Below are new collections that will be available as subscription options to all library sectors on the following Bloomsbury platforms:

Drama Online

Global Plays Collection
Open Clasp Video Collection.

Bloomsbury Fashion Central

Bloomsbury Historic Dress in Detail.

Bloomsbury Video Library

Bloomsbury Video Library - The Animators' Survival Kit Animated
Bloomsbury Video Library - The London Symphony Orchestra 2006-2020 Collection
Bloomsbury Video Library - The London Symphony Orchestra 2020-2023 Collection.

Theology and Religion Online

Theology and Religion Online - The Bible and Western Literature Collection
Theology and Religion Online - Christian-Muslim Relations Collection
Theology and Religion Online - Ancient Christian Writers Collection
Theology and Religion Online - Classics of Western Spirituality: Pre-1500
Theology and Religion Online - Classics of Western Spirituality: Post 1500.

Screen Studies

Screen Studies - BFI TV Studies Collection.

Bloomsbury Visual Arts

Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Art, Race and Gender Collection
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Global and Regional Art Collection
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Contemporary Art Collection
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Art Markets, Museums and Collecting Collection
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of New Media Art
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Art and Material Culture
Bloomsbury Visual Arts - Global Encyclopedia of Women in Architecture.

Digitales:

Three new options for public libraries:

Australian Art Auction Records - lists art auction sale results for Australian and New Zealand artists, from the early 1970s to the present time.
Australian Art Sales Digest Online - a database of sales results of fine art auctions in Australia and New Zealand from 1969 to the present.
Zip Phonics – a supplementary program to support reading using phonics.

Infobase:

An option available to all tertiary libraries:

Artificial Intelligence Video Package - a curated collection of videos on AI – what it is and how to use it – offering a structured, engaging way to teach and learn about this evolving technology.

Gale Cengage:

Two new options for public libraries and all tertiary libraries:

Transparent Language – language learning software that supports users to learn over 120 languages, including English as a second language and Māori.
Universal Class – access to hundreds of accredited online skills training courses for job seekers and lifelong learners.

A new option for University Libraries:

Gale Primary Sources Library for Universities

This subscription will provide University Libraries with access to the following Gale Cengage Primary Sources collections (if, at the end of the subscription period, a subscribing library would like to purchase any of the resources included in this subscription option, Gale Cengage will deduct the 2025-2026 EPIC subscription price from the purchase price):

Archives of Sexuality and Gender

Archives of Sexuality & Gender, Part I: LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940
Archives of Sexuality & Gender, Part 2: LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940
Archives of Sexuality & Gender, Part 4: International Perspectives on LGBTQ Activism and Culture
Archives of Sexuality & Gender part 6: Community and Identity in North America.

Environmental History

Environmental History: Conservation and Public Policy in America
Environmental History: Colonial Policy and Global Development, 1896-1991.

Political Extremism and Radicalism

Political Extremism and Radicalism: Part 1: Far Right and Left Political Groups in the US, Europe, and Australia in the Twentieth Century
Political Extremism & Radicalism, Part 2: Far-Right Groups in America
Political Extremism & Radicalism, Part 3: Communism and the Far Left
Political Extremism and Radicalism Part 4: Archives from the Berkeley Center for Right-Wing Studies.

Refugees, Relief and Resettlement

Refugees, Relief and Resettlement, Part 1: Forced Migration and WWII
Refugees, Relief and Resettlement, Part 2: The Early Cold War and Decolonization.

Women’s Studies

Women's Studies, Part 1: Issues and Identities
Women's Studies, Part 2: Voice and Vision
Women’s Studies, Part 3: Rare Titles from the American Antiquarian Society, 1820-1922
Women’s Studies, Part 4: Female Forerunners.

Power to the People

Power to the People!: Counterculture, Social Movements, and the Alternative Press, Nineteenth to Twenty-first Century.

Hei konā mai

Paula Banks - EPIC Manager