In-school awareness can boost reading rates more than 100%
By: Kelly Hladek, Library Media Specialist and Technology Liaison, Morton High School. The School City of Hammond, in Hammond, Indiana, is starting off 2017 on a celebratory note. In one year’s time, OverDrive checkouts for the district have grown 183 percent from 4,094 to 11,571!…
Hot chocolate vs hot cocoa: a sweet history lesson
By: Alissa Berman, Account Specialist. When the temperature drops, most of us crave a hot drink. As a child, the best part of coming inside from playing in the winter snow was enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa. Adults might increase coffee intake when…
Books to celebrate holidays around the world
By: Bethany Porter, Collections Analyst. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. It is not, however, celebrated by everyone. I found about a dozen holidays around the world during December, January, and February that are just as exciting. Here are a few of the major ones…
How to keep kids reading over winter break
There will be no shortage of snowball fights, visitors and other fun distractions over the holiday break from school. Kids will probably try to keep up with all the attention-grabbing mayhem, and they may not take the quiet time they need to refuel and recharge….
‘Tis the season to be eReadin’: new holiday materials
It’s almost that time of year when exams wrap up and students head home for holiday break (and you do too!) and that means it’s time for you and your students to get cozy than with your favorite eBook or audiobook, some marshmallow loaded cocoa,…
How K-12 uses devices in the classroom
Eighty percent of schools and districts use eBooks, audiobooks and digital textbooks in their classrooms. That’s a lot of devices to manage, and the technology is constantly changing. We wondered how students were using devices in the classroom to access that digital content. Was 1:1 most…
8 ideas to create a Literacy Week at your school
By: Elmarie Pierce, Reddam House School, South Africa. No matter where you live, one way to promote reading happiness is by organizing a Literacy Week at your library or school. Elmarie Pierce, one of OverDrive’s international school partners, shares how Reddam House School in Constantia,…
20 things to do in a blanket fort
Cooler temperatures make this the perfect time to revisit a favorite childhood project: the blanket fort. Whether you use your dining room table, sofa cushions, high back chairs, or something more elaborate, try these 20 suggestions (once settled in your fuzzy igloo) for things to…
Digital citizenship and our new heritage
By: Christina Samek, Marketing Specialist. There are probably several moments in your life as an educator where you’ve thought, “Well, I wasn’t quite prepared for this.” I know because most of us have felt that way. No matter how hard we prepare, how many certifications…
20 ways to show gratitude this holiday season
By: Nikka Hronis, Account Specialist. Anyone who has ever received a sincere ‘thank you’ knows how meaningful and memorable a genuine expression of gratitude can be. With the pace and distractions of daily life, it is easy to get caught up in a whirlwind mentality…