OverDrive Holds Inaugural Digipalooza in Cleveland

Digipalooza, downloadable audio and ebook distributor OverDrive’s first annual user group meeting, was an upbeat presentation of librarian success stories and publisher presentations of their fall lists. Held in Cleveland, July 26–28, the meeting drew roughly 250 librarians, audiobook publishers, and hardware manufacturers from more than 30 states, Canada, and Mexico. In addition to showcasing innovative uses and marketing of digital media by librarians, the meeting highlighted upcoming features from OverDrive. New additions include a wiki for users (dlrwiki.overdrive.com), improved collection development tools with preordering capabilities and RSS feeds, and multilingual capabilities. There were also demos of OverDrive’s new Digital Library Reserve, which enables librarians to load local content into their library’s digital offerings.

OverDrive CEO Steve Potash reminded attendees that the company’s genesis was in libraries. In fact, Cleveland PL’s Cindy Orr, who worked with OverDrive to develop the first collection of downloadable ebook products in 2003, presented with other colleagues on collection development tips.

Although OverDrive content is not available for iPods, Potash “is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based [digital rights management]-protected materials on the iPod/Mac.”

Finally, New York Public Library (NYPL) announced its plans to roll out a direct download service (ebooks.nypl.org), which will enable patrons to check out digital content directly from their cell phones and other personal devices. Michael Ciccone, head of acquisitions for the NYPL Branch Libraries, presented statistics on circulation, which has been averaging 400 titles per day. Top circulating subject categories include computer technology, classic literature, and mysteries.

The Cleveland affair included the presentation of the inaugural Digital Pioneer Awards, a.k.a Digies, by Digital Library Reserve and OverDrive to 13 public and special libraries for “demonstrating leadership and excellence with digital media.” The winners are Cleveland Public Library; King County Library System, Issaquah, WA; Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH; Denver PL; Michigan Library Consortium; New York Public Library; Mid-Ohio Library Digital Initiative; North Suburban Library System, Wheeling, IL; Davidson County Public Library System, Lexington, NC; Orange County Public Library, CA; National Association of Realtors; Hamilton Public Library, CA; and Bibliotecha Digital Librisite, Mexico.