Q: What's happening to RBdigital? Are there changes coming to Zinio eMagazines, streaming video, and other services through RBdigital?

Changes to RBdigital

The RBdigital app and website retired May 20, 2021.

In 2020, the library vendors Recorded Books and OverDrive came under the same parent company, and OverDrive acquired the digital library portion of Recorded Books/RBmedia's business known as RBdigital. Much of the content on the RBdigital websites and apps migrated to OverDrive's platforms to consolidate and shut down the RBdigital system.

Johnson County Library has used RBdigital to provide eMagazines, LawDepot, and various streaming video services. Our patrons also have access to the State Library of Kansas collection, which did offer eAudiobooks on RBdigital. Some content has already been migrated out of RBdigital, and the remainder will transition to a new platform in phases throughout 2021.

Learn more about changes to each of these services:


eAudiobooks from RBdigital 

The State Library of Kansas eAudiobook collection moved from RBdigital to cloudLibrary on December 2, 2020. learn more about accessing these eAudiobooks on cloudLibrary.

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eMagazines from RBdigital

We now offer eMagazines on Libby as of April 1, 2021. Most magazines that had previously been available on the RBdigital platform are now available through Libby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did eMagazines move from RBdigital to Libby?
OverDrive, the company who makes Libby, acquired the digital library portion of Recorded Books/RBmedia's business known as RBdigital. The RBdigital website and app have been retired. The eMagazines on RBdigital were provided by Zinio, a consumer-facing digital magazine supplier, and OverDrive made a new arrangement to support Zinio magazines on its Libby platform so libraries can continue subscribing to these eMagazine titles.

Do I use the same login information?
Login to Libby by adding your Library card number and PIN/password. Do not use the email address and password that you created for RBdigital, as it will not work for Libby.

If I'm already signed into Libby through another library, can I also use it for Johnson County Library's eMagazines?
Yes! You can add multiple library cards to Libby so you can easily switch from one library's collection to another's. You will need to add your library card(s) to Libby on each device or web browser you want to use.

How do I sign out?
Remove your Library card from Libby or reset the app to remove your data from a specific device or web browser. These actions apply only to that device/browser, and you can always re-add your Library card to see your checkouts and holds again. See the Libby Help site instructions for signing out »

Will checkouts transfer? Can I access my past eMagazine checkouts?
Past checkouts did not transfer to Libby, but all eMagazine issues you checked out through RBdigital can still be accessed through Zinio's consumer-facing site Zinio.com or the Zinio app. Simply register for a new Zinio account using the email address you use for RBdigital. Please note Zinio also uses this website to sell access to magazines, but anything checked out will remain freely accessible to you in the "My Library" section of your Zinio account, no purchase necessary.

How long can I keep eMagazines checked out on Libby?
The eMagazines on Libby are checked out for 21 days, and they can be renewed or checked out again an unlimited number of times while the issue remains in the collection.

Is there a limit to how many eMagazines I can check out or renew? Are there limits on any titles?
Enjoy unlimited checkouts and renewals on all magazines in Libby! There are no limits on individual titles, so all titles and back issues are always available for checkout. Borrow as many as you'd like and continue to borrow and re-borrow your favorite issues.

Does Libby have the same eMagazine titles as RBdigital?
The majority of the collection remains the same because the magazines are supplied by Zinio, the same digital magazine company that provided magazines to RBdigital. Libby supports over 3000 magazines with a rolling 3 years of back issues, where available. Back issues older than 3 years are automatically removed from the collection.

Is reading eMagazines in Libby the same as in RBdigital?
The reading experience is very similar. Libby provides a thumbnail view of all pages, a full 1-page or 2-page spread view, and an article view that allows you to adjust certain display features. Libby does not currently have text-to-speech for articles or a print button, but these features are under consideration. Libby does not plan to support automatic checkout of new magazine issues, but you can sign up to be notified when new issues of your magazines are available.

Will you be offering any eBooks, eAudiobooks, or other content on Libby?
Only our eMagazines are on Libby at this time. In late 2020 we gathered a variety of community input about what was most important in an eBook/eAudiobook platform, and we are in discussions with key vendors who provide these platforms to learn how they can best meet our community's priorities. We love that our eLibrary has a prominent role in so many facets of library service and community life, and we are eagerly and diligently planning to meet the diverse needs asked of our eBook/eAudiobook platform. Stay tuned for more details.

How do I get started with Libby?
From the Libby website or the Libby app (for iOS and Android), find Johnson County Library and add your Library card, then dive in!

For more guidance, watch a tutorial of magazines in Libby (4-minute video) and visit the Libby Help site for a variety of step-by-step instructions such as:

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Acorn TV from RBdigital

Access to the streaming video service Acorn TV ended May 14, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Library stop offering Acorn TV?
We love Acorn TV and are disappointed by this news too! Acorn TV decided to stop offering 7-day streaming passes to libraries, and currently no comparable alternative is available to us. Our access had been made available through RBdigital, which was acquired by the company OverDrive. OverDrive shared that it was in discussions with Acorn about alternative ways to bring this streaming content to libraries through their own platform. No timeline has been announced, so we eagerly await additional details.

What happens to my Acorn TV account I created through RBdigital?
Acorn TV informed the library that up to May 15, 2021, our patrons would be bale to log into the Acorn TV website and apps using the email address you used for RBdigital and the password you created for the associated Acorn TV account. Beginning May 15, Acorn TV said they would completely deactivate accounts associated with the email addresses used with RBdigital. If you wish to delete your Acorn TV account, contact support@acorn.tv to make this request.

Will the Library consider offering Acorn TV again in the future?
The Library is eager to resume providing streaming access to this popular Acorn TV content if feasible.

Is there another way to access Acorn TV?
Explore our extensive DVD collection! We've got a list of Acorn TV favorites on DVD as well as a variety of British TV programs, free to check out with your Library card from your local branch. Neighboring KC metro libraries may also offer streaming services that feature select Acorn TV programs; applicable library card required. Individuals may choose to subscribe to their own personal Acorn TV streaming membership at their own expense at https://store.acorn.tv, and Acorn advises that customers do this with a different email address than the one used with RBdigital. 

What other ways can I access British TV and film?
Check out our extensive DVD collection, which includes hundreds of Acorn TV favorites as well as a variety of British TV programs. For streaming, check out Kanopy and IndieFlix for a wide variety of films and series from the U.S., Great Britain, and around the world.

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IndieFlix from RBdigital

Passes to the streaming video service IndieFlix are available on the Libby app and website as of May 18, 2021. Access through RBdigital ended May 20, 2021. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did access to IndieFlix move from RBdigital to Libby?
OverDrive, the company who makes Libby, acquired the digital library portion of Recorded Books/RBmedia's business known as RBdigital. The RBdigital website and app have been retired. OverDrive made an arrangement to continue offering 7-day passes to IndieFlix on its Libby website and app.

Do I use the same login information?
Login to Libby by adding your Library card number and PIN/password. Do not use the email address and password that you created for RBdigital, as it will not work for Libby.

If I'm already signed into Libby through another library, can I also use it for Johnson County Library?
Yes! You can add multiple library cards to Libby so you can easily switch from one library's collection to another's. You will need to add your library card(s) to Libby on each device or web browser you want to use.

How do I sign out?
Remove your Library card from Libby or reset the app to remove your data from a specific device or web browser. These actions apply only to that device/browser, and you can always re-add your Library card to see your checkouts and holds again. See the Libby Help site instructions for signing out »

How do I get started with Libby?
From the Libby website or the Libby app (for iOS and Android), find Johnson County Library and add your Library card, then dive in!

To find IndieFlix in Libby, go to the Extras section and select Get a 7-Day Pass then Continue to IndieFlix to be taken to the IndieFlix site, where you will also manage your own IndieFlix account. Return to Libby to:

  • access the provider again
  • go to your Shelf to see how much time remains on your pass
  • check out a new pass.

While your pass is active, you can also sign in directly to the IndieFlix website, mobile apps, smart TV channel or other streaming devices with your IndieFlix membership account. Learn how »

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Learn It Live from RBdigital

Access to Learn It Live ended May 20, 2021, in conjunction with the retirement of the RBdigital app and website. The Library will not be offering this resource through another platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Library stop offering Learn It Live?
The pricing model for this service has changed when OverDrive acquired RBdigital, and with consideration of its low use by our community, it is no longer an affordable service for our eLibrary.

What happens to my Learn It Live account I created through RBdigital?
Your Learn It Live account associated with your email address used for RBdigital will continue to exist. If you wish to delete your Learn It Live account, contact support@learnitlive.com with the request, "Please delete my account using (your email)." 

Is there another way to access Learn It Live?
Individuals may choose to subscribe to their own personal Learn It Live membership or pay for individual courses at their own expense at https://www.learnitlive.com.

What other ways can I access wellness and personal development classes?
Explore a variety of self-paced classes through Udemy, Universal Class, and other services in the eLearning section of our website. You can also check out unlimited eMagazines on Libby across many different subjects.

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LawDepot legal forms from RBdigital

Access LawDepot Legal Forms through the Libby app and website as of August 20, 2021. Access via RBdigital ended May 20, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did access to LawDepot move from RBdigital to Libby?
OverDrive, the company who makes Libby, acquired the digital library portion of Recorded Books/RBmedia's business known as RBdigital. The RBdigital website and app have been retired. OverDrive made an arrangement to continue offering access to LawDepot through its Libby website and app.

Do I use the same login information?
Login to Libby by adding your Library card number and PIN/password. Do not use the email address and password that you created for RBdigital, as it will not work for Libby.

If I'm already signed into Libby through another library, can I also use it for Johnson County Library?
Yes! You can add multiple library cards to Libby so you can easily switch from one library's collection to another's. You will need to add your library card(s) to Libby on each device or web browser you want to use.

How do I sign out?
Remove your Library card from Libby or reset the app to remove your data from a specific device or web browser. These actions apply only to that device/browser, and you can always re-add your Library card to see your checkouts and holds again. See the Libby Help site instructions for signing out »

How do I get started with Libby?
From the Libby website or the Libby app (for iOS and Android), find Johnson County Library and add your Library card, then dive in!

To find LawDepot in Libby, go to the Extras section and select Get Access then Continue to LawDepot to be taken to the LawDepot site. Return to Libby to:

  • access LawDepot again
  • go to your Shelf to see how much time remains on your pass
  • check out a new pass.

Will the legal forms I previously created in LawDepot via RBdigital still be accessible to me via Libby?
No, accessing LawDepot through Libby creates a new account for you that is different than your account created through RBdigital. You may be able to retrieve your previous documents by signing into LawDepot.com with the email address and password you used for RBdigital. If you have trouble, contact LawDepot Support

Does the library offer other legal forms and resources?
Yes! Explore more legal resources on our website, and browse our catalog for books and more providing guidance on legal topics

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Last Updated: Jul 29, 2022     Views: 5945
Answered By: Hope H.