Big Changes are Coming to RBdigital

By Jamie B. RSS Wed, August 26, 2020

Have you heard the news? OverDrive has acquired the RBdigital platform. For Free Library users, this means that on September 8, 2020, RBdigital content will move to OverDrive. The RBdigital website and application will eventually be retired.

For now, this change will only affect RBdigital audiobook content. Digital magazines will still be available via RBdigital.

If you are a current RBdigital user, please read the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to learn how this change will affect you.

Why are RBdigital audiobooks moving to OverDrive?
OverDrive has acquired RBmedia’s library business, RBdigital. This means that audiobooks from RBdigital will be transferred to the OverDrive platform. You will be able to access these titles through the OverDrive website, the classic OverDrive app, and the Libby app. When this transfer is complete, audiobooks will no longer be available through the RBdigital platform and app.

When will audiobooks be transferred from RBdigital to OverDrive?
RBdigital audiobooks will be transferred to OverDrive on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The process will take approximately 24 hours. During this time, RBdigital audiobooks will not be available.

What happens if I have a title(s) currently checked out on RBdigital?
Current checkouts will be available through the remainder of their lending period in the RBdigital app. Current checkouts will not be moved to OverDrive. This will allow you to finish your title without disruption or risk of losing your place in the book.

What happens to holds I have through RBdigital?
Holds will not be moved to OverDrive. You can export your Transaction History from the RBdigital websites by accessing My Account > Profiles.

Can I move my holds to OverDrive?
Yes! You can manually place yourself on a new holds list in OverDrive. Please see our full list of FAQs for instructions.

What happens to my checkout history and wish lists from RBdigital?
Checkout history and wish lists will not be moved to OverDrive. You can export your Transaction History from the RBdigital websites by accessing My Account > Profiles.

Access the full list of FAQs for details about how to move your holds and even more answers to your questions. If you’re new to OverDrive, visit freelibrary.org/digitalmedia to access our OverDrive collections, check out this getting started guide, or watch these videos to learn more:

If you need more support, Free Library staff are available by email, chat, and phone. Feel free to ask a question or add a comment below!

On September 8, RBdigital content will move to OverDrive.
On September 8, RBdigital content will move to OverDrive.
You will be able to access titles through the OverDrive website, the classic OverDrive app, and the Libby app.
You will be able to access titles through the OverDrive website, the classic OverDrive app, and the Libby app.
24 Comments | Add a Comment

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The RB Digital app always crashes. I hope there will eventually be a new app for borrowing magazines.
Joselle - Mt Airy, Philly
Friday, August 28, 2020
Joselle - thanks for sharing your experience. OverDrive is working to integrate RBdigital magazines. We will provide updates when details are available.
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
I am on board with this change as the Overdrive app is head and shoulders better than RBdigital. One concern I have is that I have had a book on hold on RBdigital for months. I am now finally #1 in line for this audio book. Are you telling me that won't matter now and I may have to wait even longer and it's first come first serve to hold that title in Overdrive once it is available? The title is not in your collection. I actually recommended this audio book in Overdrive awhile ago. Will that recommendation carry over?
Phil
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
I have a library card #2244926 but I can't sign in. It says my card and pin can't be verified. Before this card worked perfectly
Jacalynn McCord Sweitzer
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Phil - unfortunately you are correct. Holds will not transfer. We have devised a workaround to help our patrons move their holds, but we understand it is not ideal. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you used the Recommend to Library feature to recommend this title for purchase in OverDrive, when the title transfers from RBdigital to OverDrive, you'll be added to its wait list automatically and will receive an email when your hold is available. (This new holds list will be in the order the title was first recommended.) You can check to see if this title is in your recommendations list by going to My Account > Recommendations.
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Jacalynn - That is certainly something we can help you with. Please email us using this form, and we can get started: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/contact/
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Thursday, September 3, 2020
I am really angry as, like Phil, I am #1 on books I have been waiting for for months. I went on the Overdrive website, and the "recommend to library" option is not coming up. I realize this is not the FLP's fault, but it will certainly not endear me to Overdrive. I hope they keep their hands off of Hoopla.
Nadine Bonner - Philadephia
Saturday, September 5, 2020
Nadine - We understand your frustration and apologize for the inconvenience. Here's a link to the instructions to recommend a title in OverDrive: https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0860.html Remember, the Recommend to Library feature is only available through the OverDrive website or classic OverDrive app. It's not available through Libby. If you need assistance, please contact us via email and we can walk you through the process: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/contact/
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
@Jamie B. - Well that was pretty disappointing. I did have a recommendation on a book but was not automatically added to the hold list. I was #1 in RBdigital. I had to Place a Hold in Overdrive and am now #12. Any way for you to look into this?
Phil
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
@Jaime B. - Correction, I am #16! Beyond frustrated that I followed the instructions as followed and yet am at the back of the line now.
Phil
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Phil - I absolutely can look into that for you! Please contact me via https://libwww.freelibrary.org/contact/
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
i am new to this library.. what is the difference between HOOPLA and Overdrive?
mary
Thursday, September 24, 2020
I use the RBdigital app for the magazines, graphic novels and comic books. Please tell me those are moving over to Libby too?
Stacey Anderson - Edmonton
Monday, December 14, 2020
I just found out about the move. I wondered why I had not been notified about books on hold. I cannot find what the books were that were on hold. I cannot remember all of them. I already have Libby app. Can you help me find my list of holds? Thanx.
KERRY ANN MORTON - Pensacola fl
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Hi I have been locked out of my r b digital account as I had trouble logging in please advice ps my library card no is G W P 2025241 2 Many thanks
Lynda Scott - North wales
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Why hasn't Rbdigital updated some of the magazine s
Bed Nevi - Mollymook NSW Australia
Friday, January 1, 2021
I can not get any magazines on rb Digital since 12/30 Help
Michele Dichiara - Deerfield beach, florida
Monday, January 11, 2021
I've just registered for Rbdigital. Now I find out it's been taken over. Should I reregister to Overdrive. Confused.
Irene Richards - Enfield
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
This library is not acknowledged on the Libby ap? So cannot access free ebooks
Ann Archer - Market Harborough Leicestershire England
Sunday, March 14, 2021
As per normal overdrive has taken out competition and screwed up a perfectly good app for magazines with half the content and no offline reading.
Tony - Alberta
Saturday, April 3, 2021
What will happen to Great Courses. I have added several lectures to my watchlist. will they transfer to overdrive?
Misha - England
Thursday, April 15, 2021
I used to use RB Digital to read magazines. Really disappointed RB is discontinued as reading magazines is no longer a pleasure. Libby and Overdrive apps are horribly clunky and not a good substitute.
Lesley Kirk
Saturday, May 8, 2021
I no longer read online magazines since rbdigital stopped providing them for my library; Libby and OverDrive are annoying; they are blurred and do not use the full screen with simple navigation and print functions: they are rubbish.
David Groves - WA Perth Orange Grove 6109
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Hi, I have been using JB and Libby for a good time now. On JB there were lots of Robyn Carr Books, only a few transferred over to Libby (overdrive) will the remainder be transferred and can we have more Robyn Carr books please 🙂
Diane - Uk
Sunday, July 4, 2021

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