New interactive multimedia plus DRM-free eBooks, periodicals, streaming music & video, and management tools coming to digital catalogs

 

(Portland, Oregon) – Public Library Association National Conference – March 22, 2010  – OverDrive (www.overdrive.com), the leading global distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content, today announced a series of new digital content offerings and enhancements that will significantly increase the value of its library services for years to come.  Libraries will soon be able to add interactive multimedia, DRM-free eBooks, streaming music and movies, and other third-party hosted content to their OverDrive-powered ‘Virtual Branch’ websites. OverDrive is also actively developing apps and APIs to help libraries manage their collection and allow patrons to access digital books on the go. OverDrive will preview many of these latest enhancements at the Public Library Association National Conference, booth #2347, in Portland, Oregon, March 24-26.

New content and features to be exhibited at the PLA National Conference include:

  • OverDrive Dashboard™: OverDrive is developing apps that will provide library staff with valuable information, including real-time statistics and charts. With OverDrive Dashboard, libraries can analyze content usage and identify relevant trends to manage and optimize their digital catalog.
  • Content Reserve® Plus: In addition to the more than 300,000 digital titles already available to libraries, new content for online and offline use will be integrated into OverDrive’s catalog for libraries. Plans include support for databases, magazines, newspapers, streaming video, music by the track, interactive eBooks, and other third-party hosted content. OverDrive also plans to release APIs for developers to create apps that can be integrated with OverDrive-powered library websites.
  • “Open eBooks”: DRM-free eBooks in both EPUB and PDF formats are being added to OverDrive’s catalog for libraries. These OverDrive “Open eBooks” will be compatible with nearly any eBook reader or software that can display EPUB and PDF files. Titles from Harlequin’s Carina Press, Saddleback Educational Publishing, and Rourke Publishing will be among the first DRM-free eBooks available to libraries.
  • LibraryBIN™: Featuring eBook and audiobook downloads from top publishers, LibraryBIN is a new e-retail store from which a portion of each sale goes to a patron’s favorite participating library or to a general fund to support America’s public libraries. Libraries can add a “buy it now” retail option on their ‘Virtual Branch’ website and generate revenue for their digital collection.
  • LEAP (Library eBook Accessibility Program): A collection of accessible eBooks is now available to the print-disabled patrons of libraries in the OverDrive network. Through a partnership between OverDrive and Bookshare (bookshare.org), qualifying individuals will receive access to Bookshare’s catalog of print materials in accessible digital formats. OverDrive fully funds this program and offers LEAP at no cost to the library or patron.

OverDrive will demonstrate these and many other content and service enhancements throughout the PLA National Conference, March 24-26. Visit booth #2347 during the show for the latest information about OverDrive’s digital services for libraries.

OverDrive currently provides digital distribution services for more than 10,000 libraries, retailers, corporations, and schools worldwide with support for Windows®, Mac®, Sony® Reader™, nook™, Android™ devices, and BlackBerry® smartphones as well as the largest collection of iPod®-compatible audiobooks for libraries. To see if your public library is a member of the OverDrive network, visit http://search.overdrive.com. OverDrive also operates the Digital Bookmobile (www.digitalbookmobile.com), a high-tech 18-wheeler traveling North America to raise awareness about free digital books and more from public libraries.

 

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 hundreds of publishers and thousands of libraries, schools, and retailers, serving millions of end users. OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com

Contact:
David Burleigh
OverDrive, Inc.
216-573-6886 x218
dburleigh@overdrive.com

 

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