UPDATE

24 February 2025

Included in this update

• Rollout of EPIC subscription pricing options for 2025-2026
• EPIC – a guide for member libraries
• Britannica Library training webinars

• Gale Cengage webinars

Rollout of EPIC subscription pricing options for 2025-2026

This is to let you know that I am beginning to roll out the EPIC subscription pricing options for the new EPIC subscription year beginning 1 July 2025.

I won’t be seeking subscription confirmations until April, with a deadline of 30 May 2025 to return completed subscription confirmations for 2025-2026, but this is just to let you know that I have started loading information about the EPIC subscription options for 2025-2026 (as they come in) to the secure section of the EPIC pricing and sub-licence agreements page of the website for viewing. To access the secure pricing information on these pages, you will be required to login to your authorised EPIC account. (The Create an EPIC account page provides instructions on how to set up an EPIC account).

Once you are logged in, scroll down the page and you will be able to view the full list of links to subscription pricing option PDFs (by vendor) for your sector.  The PDFs will also provide links to vendor contact information (should you want additional information about their subscription offers through EPIC) and in some cases to trial and additional supporting information about the subscriptions.

To avoid confusion, I have removed all the 2024-2025 subscription pricing option PDFs. Therefore, if you are investigating pro-rated subscription options in the current subscription year, please email me at epic@dia.govt.nz and I can provide you with a quote.

Please note that not all options have been confirmed, so please don't panic if there isn't a pricing option yet for something you are specifically looking for. I will continue to add the additional options as they come in. I will also update you soon on changes and new options etc.

EPIC - a guide for member libraries

I have recently created EPIC – a guide for member libraries which is an introduction to subscribing to e-resources through the EPIC consortium. I created it as an introduction for EPIC member library staff that are new to working with EPIC and as a quick reference guide.

The guide includes:

• A timeline of the annual EPIC subscription processes
• Instructions on completing and returning the EPIC subscription confirmation form on behalf of your member organisation
• How to access information about the subscription options available to your library sector
• How to determine your library's pricing band/s when reviewing pricing information
• The EPIC sub-licence agreement and sub-licence agreement renewal process
• The annual invoicing process
• Instructions on how to set up a new subscription through EPIC
• Information about EPIC vendors.

Britannica Library training webinars

In March and April Bonnie Campbell from Britannica Education will be hosting webinar training sessions for public library staff on how to use Britannica Library in your library.

The session times and registration links are as follows:

• Monday 24 March, 12pm
• Monday 28 April, 12pm

Gale Cengage webinars

In March, Damian Almeida from Gale Cengage will be hosting introductory webinars on some of the Gale resources that will be available through EPIC in 2025-2026.

The session times and registration links are as follows:

• Tuesday 11 March, 9am-9.30am – Gale Resources for Public Libraries in 2025-2026
• Thursday 13 March, 9am-9.30am – Gale Resources for Polytechnics and Specialist Libraries in 2025-2026
• Tuesday 18 March, 9am-9.30am – Researching Family History with the Gale Historical Newspapers
•  Thursday 20 March, 9am-9.30am – DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion): Uncovering Stories Through Archival Material

Hei konā mai   

Paula Banks - EPIC Manager