Download event includes New York Times best-selling authorFrank Delaney and other activities

 

New York, NY – August 6, 2008 — The Digital Bookmobile (www.digitalbookmobile.com) will launch a national tour promoting audiobook, eBook, music, and video downloads from public libraries on Sunday, Aug. 10 in New York City’s Central Park.  The digital download event, held in association with The New York Public Library, creates an engaging experience around The New York Public Library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ download website (ebooks.nypl.org), one of the world’s leading public library download websites.  The Digital Bookmobile will continue to promote digital books and more from public libraries through 2009 with events scheduled across North America.

“Taking the Digital Bookmobile to Central Park—and all across North America—illustrates just how easy it is to access digital downloads anytime, anywhere from public libraries,” said David Burleigh, director of marketing for OverDrive. “At home, at work, in a coffee shop, and at just about any Wi-Fi hotspot, a library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ download website is always open for patrons who want to check out and download digital books and more.”

The one-day Digital Bookmobile event in Central Park will feature tours of the 74-foot, 18-wheel Digital Bookmobile, plus storytelling, children’s crafts, musical performances, a visit from one of the NYPL Lions, and an appearance by best-selling author Frank Delaney (Tipperary, Simple Courage).  Residents of New York will be able sign up for a library card and learn more about The New York Public Library at information stations.

The Digital Bookmobile’s interactive stations are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. The complete schedule includes:

  • 11 a.m. – Storytelling for Children
  • 12 p.m. – Musical Performers: World Beat & Percussion
  • 1 p.m. – Frank Delaney, Best-Selling Author of Tipperary and Simple Courage
  • 2 p.m. – Crafts Table: Make Your Own Journal

The Digital Bookmobile event is located in Central Park on Dead Rd. between Sheep Meadow and the Mall.  Visitors can enter the park from the East at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue, following 72nd Street past Bethesda Fountain; Dead Road will be on the left. From the West, visitors enter the park at 72nd Street and Central Park West and follow 72nd Street past Cherry Hill; Dead Rd. will be on the right.

After launching the national tour with the Central Park event, the Digital Bookmobile will travel coast-to-coast promoting digital downloads at public libraries through 2009. Libraries in Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis, Phoenix, and places in between will host the 18-wheeler as it weaves across America.

The Digital Bookmobile, developed inside a 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor-trailer, is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The community outreach vehicle creates an engaging download experience around the host library’s digital media collection and ‘Virtual Branch’ download website. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players. Interactive computer stations give visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video from the library.

The Digital Bookmobile is hosted by individual libraries in support of their download services and operated by OverDrive, Inc. OverDrive powers download media catalogs at thousands of libraries, including institutions in New York City, Singapore, Boston, and Toronto.

 

About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. We deliver secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for thousands of publishers, libraries, schools, retailers, and aggregators serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com

Media Contact:
David Burleigh
Director of Marketing
OverDrive, Inc.
dburleigh@overdrive.com
216-573-6886 Ext 218

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