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OverDrive Digital Audiobooks & Video
Information for Library Staff

Trouble? Check the Digital Book Center FAQ.

Basics

What is OverDrive?
How will patrons find it?
What publicity materials are available?
What content is there?
Who selects this content?
Who can have access to this service?
How much do patrons use this service?
Did SCLS buy this service?

Help & Support

Where can I find answers to patrons' frequently-asked questions?
Can I install the OverDrive software on my library computers?
Can patrons still check out titles from within the library, even without the software?
Why does OverDrive only work with Windows?
What about iPods and Macs?
Who can library staff call for help?

Basics

 

What is OverDrive?

OverDrive is a vendor (like OCLC or ProQuest). Their product is called "Digital Library Reserve" and features downloadable audiobooks and video, and can be found here: http://dbooks.wplc.info/.

 

How will patrons find it?

 

What publicity materials are available?

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium is working on building the collection, and, once the collection is a bit bigger, we will be providing SCLS libraries with more publicity for this service. In the meantime, SCLS has created these publicity materials:

Sample press release (doc) | Bookmarks (pdf) | Flyer (pdf)

 

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What content is there?

Dozens of audiobook publishers' offerings are in the catalog, as well as a small video collection.

 

Who selects this content?

A WPLC selection committee is selecting the content. Mary Knapp from Madison Public Library is on that committee. If you have suggestions for content to purchase, please contact her at mknapp@scls.lib.wi.us.

The WPLC Digital Selection Policy is available on the Digital Book Center FAQ.

 

Who can have access to this service?

Any patron living in the 7-county area of SCLS.  Reciprocal LINK library card holders who live outside of the 7-county area cannot have access through SCLS.  These patrons can access the service through their local library system if their system is a WPLC member.

 

How much do patrons use this service?

Statistics for OverDrive are available in the Reference Databases Information area of the SCLS web site, under "Usage Statistics for Reference Databases." The service was started in October 2005.

 

Did SCLS buy this service?

Yes, with the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC), a group of library systems around Wisconsin.

 

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Help & support

 

Where can I find answers to patrons' frequently-asked questions?

Please check the Digital Book Center FAQ (http://overdrivefaq.pbwiki.com/) for answers to patrons' most frequently asked questions.

Content for the Digital Book Center FAQ was created by Winnefox Library System, Milwaukee County Federated Library System, Outagamie Waupaca Library System, South Central Library System, and the rest of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium.

 

Can I install the OverDrive software on my library computers?

This service is primarily intended as a remote service, but the Overdrive Media Console may be installed in the library on non-LINK network computers.

LINK libraries may optionally have the software installed on LINK patron PCs as part of the ongoing Windows XP upgrade process. Watch for more information as the Windows domain migration project continues.

 

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Can patrons still check out titles from within the library, even without the software?

Yes. Patrons can check out the titles in the library, and then go home to download them.

 

Why does OverDrive only work with Windows?

OverDrive audiobooks and video are only delivered in the WMA format, which requires Windows Media Player. There are no digital audiobook or video products currently on the library market that work with anything other than Windows.

This article from the Associated Press, published on Forbes.com, discusses this issue and how it has affected libraries: Update 3: Libraries Offering Audiobook Downloads.

 

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What about iPods and Macs?

OverDrive audiobooks and video are delivered in a digital rights management (DRM)-protected Windows Media format. Currently, neither iPods nor the Mac version of Windows Media Player support protected Windows Media files.

For more information, see Library Journal, Apple's website, and discussion threads on web4lib.

 

Who can library staff call for help?

The OverDrive website includes help. Patrons can also contact their local library as the first line of support, and library staff may find answers on the Digital Book Center FAQ site.

If the problem is not covered elsewhere, SCLS Administration will support SCLS libraries. When you call for support, please have the following information available:

 

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For more information about OverDrive, contact Kerri Hilbelink.


Page created 11/05.
Page updated 08/07.

South Central Library System
5250 E Terrace Drive
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 246-7970