After careful review and consideration, Collection Development has made the decision to cancel Freegal [1]. The last day of service will be July 23^rd. However, customers will be able to transfer all downloaded music to a computer so they won’t lose the music they have acquired.  A set of transfer instructions are attached (thank you CIS).

With usage trending steadily downward, the service has become too costly. Customers have access to full albums available to stream or download through hoopla [2] – always available, no holds.

Cancellation Timeline

• Freegal [1] users notified
  • Monday, July 2 – Notification of service discontinuation with link to download instructions
  • Monday, July 16 – Reminder and another link to download instructions
• Social media posts (share if you can)
  • Monday, July 2 – Notification of service discontinuation with link to download instructions
  • Monday, July 16 – Reminder and another link to download instructions
• Last day of service
  • Monday, July 23

We do understand this change may upset some heavy Freegal [1] users. Please, encourage them to check out hoopla [2] and be prepared to walk them through the process of transferring their music.

Talking points

• We are no longer able to offer Freegal [1] but we find customers prefer streaming music. In hoopla [2], you can stream full albums.
• We are no longer able to offer Freegal [1] but we will continue to provide streaming and downloadable music in hoopla [2] and we offer cds at every location.
• We understand you are upset at the decision to cancel Freegal [1]. We did not take this decision lightly. We are committed to providing music for check out. Digitally, we have hoopla [2] and we offer CDs in the library branches.

Action Steps

• Review the transfer instructions.
• Practice transferring music in preparation of helping customers.
• Prepare to redirect customers to hoopla [2].
• Check out an album on [3]hoopla [2] to see what the experience is like.