Penguin Random House Extends Terms

Andrew Albanese of PW has posted that Penguin Random House (PRH) is extending its Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries.

As the pandemic continues to impact the country, Penguin Random House has announced that it is extending its temporary digital license terms for libraries through December 31, 2020.

"With the uncertainty of what this upcoming school year will bring—either home-learning, in-classroom or a combination of both—and the pressures that our library partners are facing with closures, modified openings and budget constraints, we are extending our Temporary Library Terms of Sale," reads a note sent to digital vendors from Penguin Random House senior v-p Skip Dye. "It is clear that this extension is necessary to assist in meeting the needs of patrons and homebound school kids," Dye writes, adding that announcing the extension now will hopefully give librarians and educators a chance to better plan for the rest of the year.

Under the terms of its temporary program, PRH is offering libraries the option to license e-books and digital audio for one-year terms at a 50% prorated price as an alternative to the existing two-year term (for e-books) or perpetual access (for digital audio). A cost-per-circulation model is also available.

The news comes after PRH last month announced that it is also extending its Open License for online story time and read-aloud videos through December 31. The program was first announced in March to encourage digital read-aloud sessions for libraries and schools closed by the novel coronavirus outbreak. PRH officials say that program has surpassed more than 25,000 unique requestors since it began.

In March, librarians told PW the change in PRH's terms was appreciated and useful as libraries tried to minimize the impact of physical closures on their digital holds lists—and their budgets.

Skip Dye, Senior Vice President, Library Sales and Digital Strategy, has emailed RF to say that PRH will be reaching out to libraries to regroup with you about the terms, review any reporting issues or needs, and to “help assess if we are getting to you all the necessary information needed to implement these temporary terms” and “work directly with your sales rep if you have any questions.”

RF thanks PRH for continuing this program in a time of budget uncertainty!