Frequently asked questions

Our access to Lynda.com has been discontinued. We're exited to bring you a the eLearning service Udemy, presented by Gale! 

What happened to Lynda.com?

In 2019 LinkedIn (parent company of Lynda.com) announced that the Lynda.com platform would be shutting down, and the Lynda content would migrate to the LinkedIn Learning platform, a paid service through LinkedIn. The proposal at the time included conflicts with library policy and values. Johnson County Library is committed to providing online courses for patrons, so immediately began evaluating alternative eLearning resources available to libraries. The Library's subscription to Lynda.com ended December 31, 2019, and we're exited to instead bring you the eLearning service Udemy, presented by Gale!

Why did this eResource go away?

In 2019 LinkedIn (parent company of Lynda.com) announced it would discontinue the Lynda.com platform after December 31, 2019. At that time, the new LinkedIn Learning option designed for libraries had considerable changes to the terms of use and did not fully align with JCL policies and values of ensuring access and privacy. Many libraries warned LinkedIn that its new platform violated core library values, and after many months, LinkedIn began working with the American Library Association to modify its platform to address these concerns. During that time period when the final version of LinkedIn Learning for libraries was still in development, the timeline and availability of the Lynda.com platform remained uncertain, so JCL began evaluating alternative eLearning resources that would ensure patron access and privacy.

What Johnson County Library values conflict with the LinkedIn Learning option?

Access to information is ensured: JCL strives to ensure access to information for people of all ages, abilities and means, but LinkedIn restricts access to users age 16 and older. Users 15 and under are prohibited from using the service, according to the LinkedIn Learning terms.

Privacy and confidentiality are rights: JCL safeguards each patron right to request and obtain information in confidence, and each person can choose to make their Library usage public. In contrast, for LinkedIn Learning originally required that each patron have a LinkedIn account; LinkedIn has since announced that they are changing this requirement for library patrons.

As originally proposed by LinkedIn, library users would be required to create a LinkedIn profile. When registering their profile, all account settings default to permitted user information to be publicly visible to other LinkedIn user accounts, third parties and search engines, as well as allowing additional marketing emails. LinkedIn does allow users to change account settings from the defaults, but it is up to each user to take extra action to establish privacy by opting out. Hidden LinkedIn user accounts still remain in the LinkedIn network. You can learn more about LinkedIn privacy settings at https://privacy.linkedin.com as well as recommendations from Consumer Reports for managing LinkedIn privacy settings.

We recognize that integrating LinkedIn with online learning is desirable for some users. Ultimately JCL advocates for all of its patrons to have a baseline of privacy by default with the option to opt-in for that LinkedIn integration. Eventually months after the Library's Lynda.com subscription ended and setup for Udemy, presented by Gale was underway, LinkedIn did revise the registration process to keep library user data separate from a LinkedIn profile and network.

Do you have a replacement coming?

Yes, JCL is excited to bring you the eLearning service Udemy, presented by Gale! 

I love Lynda.com! I want to keep using the Lynda courses myself on LinkedIn Learning. How do I sign up?

Lynda.com content moved to the LinkedIn Learning platform. In order to access, you’ll need a LinkedIn account to sign up for LinkedIn Learning, a paid service. Fees apply, and you must be 16 or older to sign up. Please note that LinkedIn defaults to permit user information to be publicly visible to other LinkedIn user accounts, third parties and search engines, as well as allowing additional marketing emails. You can make changes to your LinkedIn privacy settings.

If I sign up for LinkedIn Learning on my own, will my Lynda.com learning history through the library transfer to a personal LinkedIn Learning account?

LinkedIn did not offer a way for users to transfer their learning histories from the Library subscription to individual consumer subscriptions. Users who had their own paid consumer account on Lynda.com had the option to transfer their learning history into LinkedIn Learning through a tool available in the LinkedIn Learning Settings menu.

Where can I stay up-to-date on the Library's online learning options?

Visit the eLearning section of our website to explore a wide variety of options for online learning and discover what's new!

Still have questions? Contact us!