ANAHEIM, CA -- 06/25/08 --
America Library Association National Conference
-- OverDrive, the leading provider of download media in libraries and
schools, announced today that the District of Columbia Public Library went
live this morning with a new service to become the first public library in
the nation to offer popular audiobook titles in MP3 download format. The
new DRM-free format, OverDrive MP3 Audiobook, is compatible with Apple
iPod® players as well as thousands of other MP3 players including those
from Creative, Sony, Samsung, Rio, SanDisk, and most cell phones. The
service is available for library users at
http://overdrive.dclibrary.org.
The District of Columbia Public Library download media collection,
featuring the new OverDrive MP3 Audiobook format, will be demonstrated
throughout the American Library Association National Conference,
June 28-July 1 in Anaheim, CA, at OverDrive booth #1280.
"Thousands of public libraries are preparing to follow the DC Public
Library and add MP3 download audiobooks alongside their Windows Media Audio
format audiobooks," according to Erica Lazzaro, OverDrive licensing counsel
and Audio Publishers Association board member. "The OverDrive MP3 Audiobook
is an additional format option that will attract millions of new listeners
to discover, download, and enjoy the benefits of spoken work audio."
The initial OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks catalog for public libraries features
more than 3,000 popular novels, children's books, foreign language learning
titles, and classic works and is growing rapidly as publishers join the
program. Participating publishers currently include Books In Motion,
Blackstone Audio, L.A. Theatre Works, Gildan Media, Audio Realms, CSA Word,
plus others. The new catalog of OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles will
complement OverDrive's catalog of approximately 20,000 DRM-protected
digital audiobooks (WMA format) and over 80,000 eBooks in popular formats.
Other libraries adding OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks into their download
catalogs include New York Public Library, Cleveland Public Library, King
County Library System (WA), and Hamilton Public Library (Ontario), as well
as hundreds more throughout the end of 2008.
In order to download OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks, users must install the free
OverDrive Media Console version 3.0. OverDrive Media Console provides
users with a superior audiobook listening and navigation experience with
newly added support for easy transferring of OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to
iPod®, iPhone(TM), and iPod® touch. This new release also includes a
Burn Wizard feature for creating standard audio CDs from download
audiobooks. Library users can obtain the free software at
http://overdrive.com/software/omc.
To enable the DRM-free format, OverDrive is working with participating
audio publishers and OverDrive library partners to reinforce the copyrights
and permissions associated with download lending of OverDrive MP3
Audiobooks. These include new download steps for users seeking to borrow
the new format. Library users are required to acknowledge and agree to
specific terms of use to the borrowed MP3 files before they can download
from their library's 'Virtual Branch' website. After the lending period
expires, the OverDrive Media Console software disables access to the
expired title. OverDrive Media Console then prompts the user to delete all
OverDrive MP3 Audiobook files from their PC and any and all transferred
copies.
OverDrive powers popular download media catalogs offering eBooks,
audiobooks, music, and video at thousands of libraries, including
institutions in New York City, Singapore, Boston, and Toronto. To see if
your public library is a member of the OverDrive network, visit
http://search.overdrive.com.
About OverDrive, Inc.
OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor and supplier of
eBooks, audio books, music, and video. We deliver secure management, DRM
protection, and download fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers
and institutions (rights holders) and thousands of libraries, schools,
retailers, and aggregators serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986,
OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com
About District of Columbia Public Library
The District of Columbia Public Library is a vibrant center of activity for
residents and visitors to the nation's capital. Located throughout
Washington, D.C., the Library provides environments that invite reading,
learning, and community discussion. The D.C. Public Library is proud to be
a recognized force in the community for engaging the mind, expanding
opportunities, and elevating the quality of life.
Media Contact:
David Burleigh
Director of Marketing
OverDrive, Inc.
Email Contact
216-573-6886 Ext 218
