Smarter Integrations and Fresh Tools for Academic Libraries

At OverDrive, we’re always looking for ways to make life easier for librarians and more rewarding for students. This fall, we’ve rolled out several important updates to make workflows more efficient and boost discoverability. Here’s what’s new: 

If your library uses Alma, you’ll see a smoother experience right away. The enhanced integration with Ex Libris makes syncing between Libby and Alma more seamless, reducing the need for manual updates. Bibliographic and holdings data now refresh in real time, enabling students to see accurate availability and metadata. Plus, the improved metadata flow ensures that digital content is easier to find in Primo. For librarians, that means less duplication of effort; for students, it’s a more polished discovery experience. 

We’re also excited about our new integration with EBSCO. Libby and Kanopy titles are now easier to discover through EBSCO Discovery Service, which means your digital collections will get more attention from students and faculty alike. Automated MARC record delivery via EBSCO streamlines cataloging, reducing turnaround times and simplifying workflows.  Users will now get the most relevant results more quickly, no matter where they’re searching, and libraries gain a stronger bridge between digital content and the systems they rely on. 

We know librarians juggle a lot, to make information easier to access, where your students and faculty already go – we’ve launched an OverDrive LibGuides presence. OverDrive will provide both Libby and Kanopy curated guides for librarians and students, with everything from collection development support to platform navigation and collection management as well as reporting. Step-by-step tutorials walk users through borrowing, troubleshooting, and other common questions. Content spotlights will offer timely themes to support Heritage months including Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May), LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June), and Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15). Most importantly, OverDrive’s staff of academic librarians will provide catalog and content updates by subject area.  Making it easy to discover new titles, suppliers, uncover top evergreen titles on subjects that are important for what is happening that has new relevance. It’s a resource designed to help librarians promote digital collections more effectively, while also empowering users to find answers and explore content on their own. 

Each of these updates reflects our goal to simplify, streamline, and strengthen the way libraries connect students with knowledge. OverDrive though Kanopy and Libby are thrilled to offer these updates with Alma, increasing visibility through EBSCO, and delivering practical resources via LibGuides, to support you and your campus community. 

Want to dive deeper? Explore these updates in your library’s workflows today and let us know how they’re making an impact.