OverDrive Digital Library

Even if you haven’t heard of overdrive, you’ve probably used it, if you have viewed an eBook or online article or magazine from your local library or mel.org.  You can check to see if your library participates in Overdrive by clicking on the link Library Search.  Overdrive host, maintains collections and distributes material for library collectives like Up North Digital and MeL.org.

 

  Overdrive interacts with most library systems, so patrons are unlikely to notice when they are accessing overdrive content.  While you probably haven’t noticed overdrive in the past you will likely come in contact with overdrive in some form in the near future, if you use a mobile device to read, listen or watch content from your libraries digital content catalog.  New apps have emerged to make accessing e-content easier for users of overdrive. 

“To use OverDrive’s titles, your students will need to install two free software applications on their computers; the OverDrive Media Console (for audiobooks, music and video) and Adobe Digital Editions (for eBooks). For Android phones and tablets, iPhone and iPad, BlackBerry, and Windows Phones, just OverDrive Media Console (audiobooks and eBooks).”[i]

Overdrive also provides statistical data reports on usage for their libraries, as well as, web based training for library staff in the use of the overdrive system; including managing content collections and marketing.   In addition, Overdrive provides 24/7 access to digital content and title transferring between mobile devices.

There are a few short comings associated with overdrive.  The first and what I believe is the biggest downside of what could make eBooks the biggest advancement since moving from rollout scrolls to paged material; limited eBook copy access.  Only the number copies available can be checked out, so, if there is only one digital copy available— only one copy can be checked out at a time.  Unless, in the rare circumstance a library, participating in Overdrive, has paid for unlimited copy access for that specific eBook, then unlimited checkouts of that eBook can be checked out. 

 Another problem with Overdrive is that only material bought through Overdrive may be used in the Overdrive system.  That means libraries that find e-material cheaper somewhere else, cannot add that material to their Overdrive library collective.  How does this affect your participating library further?  Only retailers and publishers that partner with Overdrive for e-content distribution, can be purchased from by libraries for use in Overdrive. 

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[i] FAQ | OverDrive - Global distributor of digital eBooks, audiobooks, music & video for library, school & retail. Accessed on Oct. 19, 2013 from http://www.overdrive.com/education/k-12-schools/faq/