Digital shift continues due to direct mobile access, Kindle® compatibility and improved ease of use

 

Cleveland, OH – October 12, 2011 – OverDrive, the leading global digital distributor of eBooks and audiobooks to libraries and schools, released 3rd quarter 2011 results showing continued exceptional traffic and circulation growth at libraries and schools worldwide.  Through September 30, the 15,000 libraries in the OverDrive network enjoyed nearly triple the number of eBook checkouts versus all of 2010, as well as more than 2 million new users and unprecedented expansion in mobile device use.  With total visitor traffic approaching an annual run rate of one billion impressions, this accelerated activity signals even greater demand over the upcoming holiday period.

Contributing to this growth are a number of factors, including upgrades in the OverDrive platform, compatibility across major desktop and mobile devices including Kindle®, and direct mobile access to devices including smartphones, tablets and Sony® Reader.

“We at North Carolina Digital Library have seen another huge spike in circulation this year to date, and are already looking to double what we did last year,” said Ruth Ann Copley, director of libraries for the Davidson County (NC) Public Library System.  “The recent Kindle announcement has only fueled the fire as we prepare for another record holiday season!”

Circulation statistics through September 30, 2011 at OverDrive’s 15,000 libraries and schools worldwide:

  • eBook checkouts already up 200% versus all of 2010 to more than 12 million and on pace to exceed 16 million
  • Nearly 2 million new users signed up with libraries in the OverDrive network (on pace to nearly double in 2011 vs. 2010)
  • Readers browsing on their smartphones and tablets grew significantly, as mobile checkouts increased to 21 percent of overall checkouts
  • Installs of the free OverDrive Media Console application for eBook and audiobook reading and listening have passed 9 million, including more than 2 million on smartphones and tablets such as iPhone®, iPad® and Android™

As part of OverDrive’s WIN platform enhancements (“Want It Now”), which will streamline user experience and provide more access to more content, OverDrive has made significant upgrades to its search services, website user interface and help pages and reduced the steps to browse, checkout and download from the library.  Compatibility with popular eReaders and smartphones has also contributed to the massive growth, as OverDrive added download access to Kindle and Sony Reader in 2011.

OverDrive provides digital distribution services for more than 15,000 libraries, retailers, and schools worldwide with support for Windows®, Mac®, iPod®, iPhone, iPad, Sony® Reader, NOOK™, Android™, BlackBerry® and Kindle®.

 

About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading multichannel 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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