Cindy Orr, in her monthly blog post, envisions a library website that can better serve users when the buildings are closed.
Since I no longer work in an actual library building, it's sometimes easier for me to think about services from the point of view of a customer than it was when I was actually physically in that building every day and feeling totally comfortable and familiar with all its services.
Here's a thought: Have you ever considered what happens when a patron has a library question after hours?
I'm guessing that typically, this patron will go to the library's website, get a bit overwhelmed with all the options, and perhaps go away unhappy about the library's service hours.
I'd like to suggest that we consider a simplified front page for library websites that would load during the hours that the buildings are closed, and switch back to the full page when the buildings are open... just like the answering machine message that many libraries turn on and off at closing and opening.
The website might go something like this:
Our library buildings are closed at the moment, but here are the things you can do right now online (each of these entries would link to the appropriate place):
- Find the locations and hours of our buildings
- Apply for a library card
- Check our catalog of titles
- Place holds on titles (we'll let you know when they're available)
- View your library account to check due dates and holds
- Renew the due date on items you have already checked out
- Go beyond Google - do free research using the fee-based databases the library has subscribed to on your behalf
- Talk to an after hours librarian for live free homework or reference question help... or just ask for suggestions on what to read
- Check out and download free (legal) digital books, audio books and movies for immediate use on your own PC, Mac, iPod, Sony Reader, and many other devices
It seems to me that simplifying the website for users who want or need to use online services only, would be a great way to create good will and help frustrated and confused patrons who can't call or visit a library branch because it's closed. It could also be a way to let patrons know about your OverDrive collection. I've emphasized the word "free" and explained some of the items in the section above because a surprising number of people don't realize that library services are free or understand our jargon.
It's good to get out of that building sometimes and think about the library from another point of view.
February's Romantic 'Pick Our Read' poll is closed and the decision is made. And the winner is...
The Greek Tycoon's Defiant Bride by Lynne Graham
This is from Harlequin's best-selling The Rich, the Ruthless and the Really Handsome series. We are looking forward to seeing what will happen with Maribel and the handsome Leonidas Pallis...
We will post our thoughts at the end of the month. The Greek Tycoon's Defiant Bride is available as an eBook, so feel free to read along with us and let us know what you think!
Get your coupon clippers ready! BBC Audiobooks America is giving a 40% off coupon** for signing up for a BBCAA Download Standing Order Plan* during the month of February. You can put it towards one order of any other audio product (CD's, MP3 CD's and more) from BBC Audiobooks America.
So stock up and save big on your patrons' favorite authors - Patterson, Evanovich, Baldacci, Connelly, Hoag, Winspear, Brockmann, and many more! With a BBC Audiobooks America DSOP you are guaranteed to have the latest bestsellers automatically added to your digital catalog every month. This promotion ends on February 28, so don't miss out on this great offer! Contact the the Collection Team to get started!
*Plan must have a minimum of 5 titles per month.
**Coupon to be emailed March 1 and expires March 31, 2010.
We would like to thank all of our library partners for choosing OverDrive as your digital media partner. We are certainly part of the crowd of Library Lovers!
As you build your Library Lovers campaign this month, please remember to include information about your digital audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video. As Dan shared earlier this week, you’ve all experienced exceptional growth over the last year, and we’re just getting our feet wet. If you’d like our assistance in promoting your OverDrive service, please contact partnerservices@overdrive.com. We’re happy to help!
Happy Library Lovers' Month! Enjoy.
Img. sources: gaiaonline.com, paulenglish.com
The Digital Bookmobile is on the road again in 2010! Here's some video of the recent news coverage from our events in the New Orleans and Houston areas last month. Don't forget to stay up to date on the national tour on by following us on Twitter and Facebook.
You can view more recent news articles from the Digital Bookmobile National Tour on the 'News' page of DigitalBookmobile.com
This afternoon, someone, somewhere checked out the 20 millionth digital title from a library in OverDrive's global network. It was only a year ago that we hit the 10 million all-time checkout milestone, but eBook, audiobook, music and video downloads from libraries' 'Virtual Branch' websites have grown exponentially. Our library partners have now accomplished in a little more than 12 months, what took five years since the service launched in 2004. In fact, January 2010 was the first time in a single month that library users checked out more than 1 million digital titles from OverDrive-powered libraries.
The 20 million checkout milestone comes on the heels of a year of significant growth for OverDrive library partners. With the steady popularity of audiobooks and the recent surge in eBook downloading thanks to compatible devices like Sony® Reader™ and nook™, digital book circs are growing faster than ever. And collections are growing, too, with more than 300,000 titles available in our catalog for libraries. Yes, the year ahead looks to be another big year for library downloads.
Congrats to all of our library partners on achieving this significant milestone. And remember, your success is our success. If you need any promotional support, contact partnerservices@overdrive.com to learn about new ways to capitalize on this momentum and raise awareness about your library's 'Virtual Branch' download website.
The OverDrive Device Resource Center has recently been updated to include compatible eBook reading devices like the Sony® Reader™ and Barnes & Noble nook™. If your users are looking for somewhere to learn what MP3 players or other mobile devices are compatible with the OverDrive service, have them check out the Device Resource Center. There you will find a list of compatible MP3 players and eBook readers that have been hand tested by our Support Team.
You’ll not only be able to read through a list of compatible devices, but you’ll also see pictures, links to the manufacturers' websites, and even links for Google Product Search. Another great feature of the Device Resource Center is for you to test your device for compatibility.
What’s the easiest way to direct someone to the Device Resource Center? Right from your Virtual Branch website! Almost all download websites have a link readily available from the homepage. If your download website doesn’t, have the coordinator for your Virtual Branch contact your Project Manager.
*Special note: devices listed on the OverDrive Device Resource Center are only tested for compatibility with the service. They are not tested for any special features or functions.
January's Most Downloaded Books from the Library Lists are full of titles making their comeback.
There are those titles whose imminent movie releases have catapulted their popularity. Kathryn Stockett's sensational debut, The Help, was undoubtedly one of the best novels of 2009 and the movie adaptation was recently announced. All of this excitement has affected The Help's rank on the Most Downloaded Lists as it moves up to number two on the fiction audiobook list. Another title with an upcoming film adaptation, starring Julia Roberts, Eat, Pray, Love has also risen in rank. This highly anticipated film coupled with the Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, Committed, gave Eat, Pray, Love the momentum to move up on the nonfiction audiobook list.
Several titles are making their return to the list, due in part to the release of their newest series counterparts. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo again made the top ten on the audiobook list, this as the final title in the Millennium series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, is set to release in May. Just as The Women's Murder Club is about to encounter its next mystery in The 9th Judgment, readers are going back to the beginning with 1st to Die, which nabbed the number ten spot on the same list.
Making its debut in the top ten Most Downloaded eBook list is Going Rogue, the biography written by controversial political figure Sarah Palin.
The Most Downloaded Books from the Library lists are organized by subject and format, and compiled based on activity at more than 10,000 libraries in the OverDrive global network. You can view these lists of Most Downloaded Books for January 2010 in Content Reserve.
It's back! With Valentine's Day approaching we could not resist starting up 'Pick Our Read' for February with romance! Below are a mix of genres to please any romance lover interest. Click on the links to learn more about this month's picks and vote in the poll below to Pick Our Read. Here are the titles:
Voting ends on Wednesday, February 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. As we did in December will report back on what we thought at the end of the month.
Our next open Community Outreach training is Thursday, February 4th at 2:00 PM ET. Get ready for a lot of fun as we think outside the box to increase awareness of your digital collection. We’ll touch on ideas to promote the service online, inside the library, around your community, and more.
Register now! If you are unable to attend next Thursday, feel free to join us the first Thursday of every month at 2:00 PM ET. I hope to meet you online, so register today. If you have any questions or comments, leave them here or contact partnerservices@overdrive.com.