20 February 2026

Included in this update

Rollout of EPIC subscription pricing options for 2026-2027
Sign up for webinar sessions from the following vendors:
- OCLC
- Fiero Learning
- Bookery
- NewsBank

Rollout of EPIC subscription pricing options for 2026-2027

A belated Happy New Year to you all!

I am beginning to roll out the EPIC subscription pricing options for the new EPIC subscription year beginning 1 July 2026.

I won’t be seeking subscription confirmations until April, with a deadline of 29 May 2026 to return completed subscription confirmations for 2026-2027, but this is just to let you know that you can start viewing the EPIC subscription options for 2026-2027 (as they come in) from the secure section of the EPIC pricing and sub-licence agreements page of the website. To access the secure pricing information on this pages, you will be required to login to your authorised EPIC account through your National Library website account. (The Create an EPIC account page of the website provides instructions on how to set up an EPIC account).

Once 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. This year, I have also added (if available) an indication the level of savings that the EPIC pricing provides in comparison to the vendor’s standard pricing (your will find this information below the pricing schedule for each subscription option).

To avoid confusion, I have removed all the 2025-2026 subscription pricing option PDFs. 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 options as they come in.

Please refer to EPIC – a guide for member libraries and/or email epic@dia.govt.nz if you need any additional clarification about subscribing to e-resources through EPIC.

Webinar sessions

In anticipation of the new subscription year, the following vendors are hosting webinar sessions in March to highlight subscription options that will be available through EPIC in 2026-2027 (some of these are new options).

Find out more about each of the webinar sessions below:

OCLC - EPIC opt-in subscription offers: Comics Plus, CloudLibrary, CloudLibrary NewsStand AND introducing biblio+

Thursday March 5, 2026 - 12pm (45 mins)
Registration link

The webinar will cover the following:

biblio+

OCLC’s NEW premier streaming video platform, a collection of movies, tv series and documentaries curated for public library users
Access approximately 6,000 titles, with new content added regularly at no extra cost, MARC records are available
Simultaneous use, unlimited access: no individual patron caps, no monthly viewing limits
biblio+ app/web interface, and Smart TV access - the video collection can also be integrated into the CloudLibrary app (for libraries subscribing to both resources).

Comics Plus

Approximately 25,000 digital comics, graphic novels and manga titles
All titles are simultaneous use, unlimited access
New content added weekly, MARC records are available
Comics Plus app and/or web interface, and the collection can also be integrated into the CloudLibrary app (for libraries subscribing to both resources)
Content for all ages, and a Children’s and/or Teen Library portal is available.

CloudLibrary NewsStand

Approximately 9,000 digital magazines and newspapers.
All titles are simultaneous use, unlimited access
CloudLibrary NewsStand app/web interface, and the collection can also be integrated into the CloudLibrary app (for libraries subscribing to both resources)
Comparable collection to PressReader – however always more affordable!

CloudLibrary

OCLC’s premier eBook and eAudiobook platform, dedicated app and web interface
Build your collection, and make use of OCLC’s Pay-Per-Use catalogue
Comics Plus, CloudLibrary NewsStand and biblio+ subscriptions can also be integrated into the CloudLibrary app
Migrate your digital collection to the CloudLibrary platform, create an NZ CloudLink Group.

Fiero Learning - Two Humble Learning Tools for Libraries with Heart – Fiero Code & Storykin

Thursday March 10, 2026 - 10am
Registration link

You are all invited to an upcoming webinar from our friends at Fiero Learning. They'll share about new features on updates in their popular learn-to-code platform for public libraries, Fiero Code, as well as introduce a brand new product available through EPIC called Storykin - a creative writing platform for teens and adults. Fiero Founder, Luke Miller, will be presenting, and he's recently gained a reputation for playing mandolin in webinars. Reach out to hello@fierolearning.com with any questions.

Bookery - Supporting your patrons undertaking English tests

Wednesday March 18, 2026 - 11am (40 mins + questions)
Registration link

It is likely your library has patrons who, for work, education or visa purposes, are preparing for an English language test.

Join Bookery for a webinar to discuss all-things English testing, covering a range of useful knowledge for your library support team.

Formal English tests (such as IELTS) and the role they play
Simple questions to ask your patrons to help them find the right resources to support their efforts
An overview of Road to IELTS and how it assists with test preparation.

The session will also include a 3-minute lightning review of Clarity English's new Learn English Online program for Public Libraries.

NewsBank - Access New Zealand 2027 & Access Global NewsBank 2026

Wednesday March 25, 2026 - 12pm (45 mins)
Use the following Zoom link to access the webinar on the day: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83693928391

Craig Pett, National Sales Manager at Bezi Publishing Services, will provide a webinar on the databases available from NewsBank through EPIC. The webinar will cover the new Access New Zealand 2027 database as well as the international database, Access Global NewsBank 2026. Within the 45-minute webinar, Craig will offer a ‘deep dive’ live-demonstration of the search functionality of the databases whilst introducing the new sources licensed by NewsBank and discussing their future developments plans. There will also be Q & A at the end.

Hei konā mai

Paula Banks - EPIC Manager