Dear users,
We are writing to you today to share with you an important message about an upcoming change to CELA’s CD service. Effective July 31, 2025, CELA will no longer be sending out CDs to our users.
We know this is disappointing news for our users who rely on CDs and we want to assure you that it is not a decision we came to lightly. Due to a combination of factors, delivery of audiobooks and magazines on CD, a technology on which many of our users have relied, is no longer a viable option for CELA. Recent shifts in technology, the marketplace and in our federal funding, have required us to make the decision to cease distribution of CDs for audiobooks and magazines to all CELA users and CELA member libraries effective July 31, 2025.
It is important to note that it is only the CD service affected by this decision.Audiobooks and audio magazines will continue to be available through our many other distribution methods including Wi-Fi-enabled DAISY players, the Envoy Connect, digital downloads to apps and other devices, and our soon-to-be announced smart speaker option. CELA’s other services and formats, including all digital options for e-text audio and braille, physical braille and printbraille, are not affected by this change.
What is the reason for this decision?
CDs were introduced to the marketplace more than 40 years ago. But their declining popularity in the broader marketplace has made them both difficult and expensive to purchase and the equipment used to produce CDs is reaching the limits of its lifespan. In addition, CELA has received a reduction to our federal funding, so we have been forced to make this change more quickly than what we had initially planned.
We want to assure you that we understand how much your books matter to you. We also understand that the process of switching to a different technology to read your books may feel challenging, expensive or overwhelming. We are committed to doing everything we can to help you with a transition to new ways to read books.
Here is our plan to support you during this transition from CDs to other ways of reading audiobooks and magazines:
1. We are creating guides for reading audiobooks and magazines that will help you decide your best options, based on your current technology, your access to internet services, your reading preferences and your budget.
1. We will help you learn how to use new audio reading options:
We will have monthly webinars on various reading options. These will begin in April.
We will have weekly Q and A sessions with our Peer Trainers. These will begin in June.
You can join these webinars and Q and A sessions by Zoom using your computer or your phone. The sessions will offer time for you to learn new skills and ask your questions. The Contact Centre has more information and can help you register.
1. We will be holding an information session about transitioning away from CDs for our users on April 30 at 7 pm EDT.
Our Executive Director Laurie Davidson and other CELA team members will outline the reasons for this shift away from CDs and provide you with information on the many other different reading options available to you. We will also review the resources available and the schedule for the webinars and Q and A sessions. You can attend this session by phone or Zoom on your computer. Please visit our CD Transition Resources page to register online or call the Contact Centre to register for the phone service.
This session may be recorded.
1. Our Contact Centre will be available to support you and answer questions about the available options and technology for reading audiobooks and magazines. If you need some extra time, we can schedule an appointment to assist you.
1. We are working with local public libraries across the country to provide them with the resources and information they need to support you in making this transition.
To further support you, we have created a CD Transition Resource page on our website. This page includes:
1. A Frequently Asked Question section which has questions we anticipate you may have along with our answers.
1. Links to register for our Information session which will happen on April 30 at 7:00 pm. You will also find links to register for technology webinars which happen monthly and our weekly Q and A sessions with our Peer Trainers.
1. Tutorials, and quick guides for a variety of reading options and more.
We will update this page with new information and resources as they become available.
Do I have to make the change right away?
No. There is nothing you need to do right now. This letter is to inform you of the upcoming change in our service. Your CDs will continue to be mailed out to you until July 31, 2025. We have lots of resources to help you make that transition over the coming weeks and months. Our goal is to help you become just as comfortable with the alternatives as you are with CDs so that there is no interruption in your ability to enjoy your books.
We know that this news about the change to our services might be difficult to absorb. The CELA team is committed to doing everything we can to help you continue to enjoy your books and magazines. We look forward to serving you.
Sincerely,
Laurie Davidson, Executive Director
1-855-655-2273
help@celalibrary.ca
celalibrary.ca
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