March 24, 2025

We are writing today to share with you an important upcoming change to CELA services with regards to audio CD production and distribution. Effective July 31, 2025, CELA will no longer be sending out CDs to users or libraries. Member libraries are a crucial part of the team supporting users with print disabilities and I wanted to share this with you in advance of our general announcement to users on March 25, 2025. This letter includes information about the resources CELA will offer to support libraries and users through this transition as well as an FAQ to help you and your users understand this change to CELA services.  

Why has this decision been made?  

This decision has not been made lightly. While recent circumstances have required us to make this change earlier than anticipated, we have been planning for this eventuality for quite some time.  CDs and the technology required to support them are becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain and maintain. In addition, CELA is facing a reduction to our federal funding.  This combination of factors has resulted in the decision to stop production and distribution of CDs effective July 31, 2025. It is important to note that all our other services and formats, including digital options, embossed braille and printbraille sent in the mail, are not affected by this change. We want to reassure you that audiobooks and audio magazines will continue to be available through our many other distribution methods.   CD services will continue uninterrupted through until July 31, 2025, and we will be working with users and libraries until then to prepare for the transition. 

What alternatives are available to our users with print disabilities? 

We recognize that this change may be difficult for some CELA users who rely on CDs.  There are a number of options that patrons can choose to read their books including: 

• Envoy Connect, an affordable and easy to use portable mp3 player.  
• Humanware 4M and 12 M Wi-Fi-enabled DAISY players,  
• Digital downloads to apps like EasyReader and other devices,  
• Our soon-to-be announced smart speaker option.  

How will CELA support users as they transition to new ways of reading?  

We are committed to supporting both member libraries and their users through this transition. As part of our plan to support users, CELA will be offering resources, training and workshops, Q&A sessions with our Peer Trainers and personal support to our CD users and libraries who may require additional assistance. This information will be available on our CD Transition Resource page.  

What support will CELA offer libraries? 

As part of our plan, CELA will have a dedicated webpage that will launch immediately following the announcement to users on March 25. This will be a centralized resource page to provide users and libraries with resources, links to tutorials, and information about our CD Transition Resources.  

How can libraries support their users with print disabilities?  

We know that libraries are committed to providing the best possible service to their users with print disabilities. We also understand that the capacity and resources available to libraries can vary.  

As a library you may be able to: 

• Assist users with reloading their devices such as Envoy Connect devices. 
• Loan library owned DAISY players that have been configured to connect to the library’s wifi to add books directly to the player, Envoy Connects or tablets with the EasyReader app to patrons from books accessed through your CELA account. 
• Offer training or host peer training sessions with experts from your community to help patrons get comfortable with new devices or apps.  
• Direct patrons to resources offered by CELA if they have questions 
• Circulate this letter and the FAQs to all staff who may be involved in providing services or information patrons with print disabilities.  

What will happen with CD deposit collections?  

Deposit collections will no longer be produced or distributed as of July 31, 2025. However, your library can continue to receive deposit collection CDs from CELA until then.  

We do have ways to ensure that you can continue to provide accessible audiobooks for your patrons using different devices such as Envoy Connect. Using your main CELA account, which is a different account number than for your deposit collection, you can load CELA books and magazines on any accessible devices such as DAISY players or Envoy Connect devices you circulate. You can find more information about these options on our website. We have tutorials and monthly webinars to help you transition from offering CDs to providing access audiobooks on other devices. If your library is interested in receiving a deposit collection of CDs prior to July 31, please reach out to Member Services to be set up for a deposit collection or to discuss other ways to receive more CDs.  

What should we expect going forward?  

We want to assure you that CELA is committed to offering quality and innovative accessible reading services to public libraries and users with print disabilities across Canada. We continue to be dedicated to offering format choice in accessible audio, braille, printbraille and text, and to adapt to and introduce new technologies as they become available. We truly appreciate your support as we work through this transition. Libraries are an integral part of the team which makes accessible reading possible for people with print disabilities in your community.  

Please review the FAQs below for more information for you and your patrons. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Member Services.  

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to accessible reading.   

Laurie Davidson, Executive Director