Patrons can easily access popular ebooks and audiobooks through award-winning app

 

BERLIN – 8.10.2019 – Public libraries in Bavaria, Cologne and Leipzig recently joined libraries throughout Germany in upgrading to modern technology through Rakuten OverDrive, the leading global digital reading platform. OverDrive’s technology is renowned for its ease-of-use and award-winning app, Libby. In addition, OverDrive offers the industry’s largest catalog of millions of titles in over a hundred languages, including hundreds of thousands of German-language ebooks and audiobooks from major native publishers such as Hanser Publications, Holtzbrink, S. Fischer and Rowohlt. These include titles from German and SPIEGEL bestselling authors such as Nele Neuhaus, Charlotte Link, Arno Strobel and Cornelia Funke.

OverDrive partner libraries in Germany and around the world show regular circulation growth, especially Berlin Public Library which set record checkouts for 21 straight months. OverDrive has partner libraries in all German cities with a population of one million and above.

“OverDrive has proven themselves a valuable partner providing a world-class service to our library and patrons,” said Tanja Keller, spokeswoman for the Bayern Digital Consortium in Bavaria. “We are proud to provide our patrons with the finest German ebooks and audiobooks through OverDrive and the easy-to-use Libby reading app they love reading with.”

In a market of limited competitive options, German libraries of all sizes from consortia to small counties selected OverDrive for their superior catalog of ebooks and audiobooks offering millions of German, English and other language titles. OverDrive’s licenses and prices for German content are equal to any other digital book provider, following the well-established traditional model of providing fair and equal access to the same lending models for public libraries.

Library consortia also benefit from tools catered to their needs such as Custom Collection Development assistance and OverDrive Advantage, which gives consortium member libraries the ability to offer titles exclusively for their patrons in addition to the shared collection.

OverDrive has provided ebook services for Germany since 2014 and recently partnered with Libreka, one of the largest distributors in Germany representing over 40,000 publishers and more than 1,000 domestic and international trading partners. Libreka’s technical knowledge of the ebook industry and the DACH area, experience with publishers and deep knowledge of German-language content enable them to deliver quality service for OverDrive’s library customers.

Public libraries in the OverDrive network also provide their patrons with access to the award-winning one-tap reading app, Libby. The Libby app allows users to borrow ebooks, audiobooks and more with their library card 24/7 and was built with feedback from librarians and readers for maximum ease-of-use. Libby provides the same app experience on mobile devices, desktops or operating systems for Apple®, Android™ and Windows®. Downloading and reading digital titles on eReaders, including the Tolino 4 HD, is easier than ever through Libby.

To learn more about OverDrive, visit https://company.overdrive.com/. To learn more about Libby, visit https://meet.libbyapp.com/ or download Libby from the app store (iOS®, Android™, Windows®).

 

 

About Rakuten OverDrive

OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. Named one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and one of TIME’s Best Apps of 2018, the award-winning Libby is the “one-tap reading app” for libraries. We are dedicated to “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 43,000 libraries and schools in 76 countries. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten. www.overdrive.com

David Burleigh
Director of Brand & Communications
dburleigh@overdrive.com

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