OverDrive enables access to wide collection of educational & entertainment titles

 

Washington State Conference Center, Seattle, WA – January 18, 2007 – OverDrive®, the leader in digital media content distribution for libraries, announced today that it will add download digital games & interactive software to its Digital Library Reserve® service offering.  The first agreement to enable this new service was announced today with Vosity LLC, a leading aggregator of digital games and other digital products.

This is the first time that library patrons will be able to download games and interactive software on the same platform used for audio books, music and videos.  With the free OverDrive Media Console, no other software or hardware is required.  OverDrive offers a growing catalog of the top premium titles in educational and entertainment categories from award-winning publishers, as well as additional benefits of virus-free downloading and variable lending periods that libraries can set for each title.

Vosity represents a number of publishers that will be included in the OverDrive service.  For example, Global Software Publishing, North America, Inc., one of the largest publishers of software for children and adults in the nation with an award-winning software catalog, offers:

  • More than 70 program titles in every educational curriculum category for every age group from preschool to adult
  • Game titles including the megaselling Sudoku Puzzle Addict, plus the trendsetting Kakuro Puzzle Addict, and perennial favorite puzzle, Crossword Addict
  • Productivity and hobby enthusiast titles such as Musicalis, Family Tree ScrapbookMaker, Show Me series, Travel & Culture series and Art Tours Interactive Guides
  • Arcade and Virtual Environment Gaming titles like Casino Poker, Casino BlackJack and Pool Hall

Another publisher, Charlesbridge Publishing, is an independent publisher of high-quality books for children. Their books promote reading and discovery in the classroom, library and home and reflect a belief in the power of knowledge and the value of story.  Vosity provides licensed technologies to electronically download Charlesbridge’s educational titles for interactive use, for example:

  • Educational children’s titles such as the Sir Cumference series and Spanish-language titles

Other titles from Vosity in OverDrive’s initial service include interactive titles for hobbyists, such as Eyewitness Photo Galleries, Landscape Vision and Cross Stitch Designer.

“We are excited to add games and interactive software to strengthen our industry-leading list of downloadable formats and titles,” said Erica Lazzaro, OverDrive licensing manager.  “Many of our library partners have asked for this new format to complement their existing digital content and to enhance their patrons’ library experience, and we’re happy to deliver.”

“As a leading aggregator of digital games in a variety of categories, Vosity is proud to embark on this new relationship with OverDrive and their extensive network of public libraries,” said Bob Walsh, Managing Partner of Vosity.  “We chose OverDrive because of their broad library experience, their easy download process based on the OverDrive Media Console, as well as the positive feedback from the libraries in their system.”

Digital Library Reserve, a web-based digital media service, provides patrons of member libraries the ability to download popular digital audio books, in addition to eBooks, music, video and (coming soon) games & interactive software.  OverDrive offers more than 50,000 downloadable titles in a variety of popular formats.  To see if your library is a member of OverDrive’s network, go to www.dlrinc.com/ListLibraries.asp.  To find other titles of eBooks, audio books, music, videos and games available from public libraries, search within the library web sites or go to www.ebooklocator.com.

 

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive is a leader in providing world-class infrastructure for distributing premium digital content.  We deliver secure management, protection and fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers and institutions (rights holders) and thousands of libraries, retailers and distributors serving millions of end users.  With more than 50,000 premium digital titles – including current best sellers – of eBooks, audio books, music, video and (coming soon) games & interactive software presentable in a single platform, OverDrive offers the industry’s best selection as well as the option to manage, protect and distribute proprietary content.  Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH.  www.overdrive.com

About Vosity LLC

Vosity LLC, a Needham, Massachusetts-based privately held company, is a digital solutions specialist that provides the latest digital distribution technologies and techniques to drive digital e-commerce and digital e-business revenue programs for digital content publishers.  Vosity’s digital content owners are provided a full suite of digital distribution services and integrated partner programs that incorporate order processing and fulfillment services coupled with the latest technologies for anti-piracy controls to track  and secure the ever-increasing availability of downloadable digital products (e.g., games, e-books, etc.). More information about Vosity can be found at: www.vosity.com

Contacts:

David Burleigh

OverDrive, Inc.

216-573-6886 x218

dburleigh@overdrive.com

 

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