Overdrive is the company primarily responsible for powering 90% of all US libraries audiobook and e-book collection. They have just released a new website and it has dozens of innovative features including enhanced security to attract new users to the library. The ease-of-use simplifies the borrowing process and enhances discoverability so readers don’t leave empty-handed.
Here is the full list of new changes to the website for patrons and collection managers
Fast, Streamlined User Experience.
- With the new simplified interface, readers are always one click away from discovering more titles and managing their checkouts.
- Auto-complete search functionality. Users can begin to type an author’s name or book, and search results display a list of titles, series or authors.
- New browse, search and sort by subject and dates titles were added to the library.
- See new pre-released or “coming soon” titles and place a hold immediately.
- Clear and visible title availability, so readers always know what titles can be checked out.
- When placing a hold, users will see recommendations of titles available now to borrow.
- If a library doesn’t have a specific eBook or audiobook in their digital collection, users can recommend that their library purchase the title for patron driven acquisition.
- All readers need is a library card to get started reading.
- The entire reader experience uses HTTPS to protect a library users’ security and privacy.
Enhanced Tools for Librarians to Connect with Readers.
- Create custom collections of interest on the library’s homepage and feature titles to their community such as popular book club reads, a local author spotlight, book-to-movie tie-ins and more.
- Curate content for language or subject specific “rooms” (areas with specially curated collections). For example, to reach new areas of their community, librarians could create a language room with eBooks and audiobooks available in Spanish.
- Kids and/or Teens’ eReading Rooms offer a youthful design and safe environment for young readers.
- Individual collections and search results are shareable through a persistent direct link to that content.
- Stronger support for library consortiums and shared collections. Each library can create a browsing experience specifically designed for their community or leverage the curated collections of the consortium’s.
- Non-English readers. To reach readers who prefer to browse and read in their community language, a multilingual interface in 15 languages.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
