OverDrive Debuts Streaming Video Service to Libraries and Schools

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwired - Nov 20, 2013) -  OverDrive, the leading supplier of eBooks, audiobooks, music and video to libraries and schools, announced today that the Streaming Video lending service has launched in its first pilot at Los Angeles Public Library (http://lapl.lib.overdrive.com). The Streaming Video service is a convenient and exciting way to instantly borrow from your library and watch videos anytime, anywhere, on any computer, tablet or mobile device with an internet connection. While LAPL is the first to offer the service, OverDrive is preparing to roll it out to their entire network, expanding to additional markets in North America and worldwide.

Libraries spend millions of dollars purchasing DVD and Blu-Ray movies for lending in their communities. With OverDrive Streaming Video, this is a forward-looking service that libraries can invest in to reach new patrons through their website. As with other digital media services from OverDrive, titles are never late, never lost, and there are no late fees.

With OverDrive's service, video titles are hosted on the same platform as the library's eBook, audiobook and music titles, creating an easy user experience where library patrons can browse, discover and borrow videos or other media titles all in one place. Streaming Videos can also be browsed, searched and sampled on the OverDrive Media Station, OverDrive's in-library touchscreen eBook kiosks, and sent directly to any device via email, QR code or text message (SMS).

"OverDrive's Streaming Video service allows us to expand the library's e-media offerings while dramatically improving convenience and our users' experience," says Los Angeles Public Library City Librarian John F. Szabo. "For the user, it couldn't be easier. There are no apps to install, no software to download -- they can just click on a title and instantly enjoy it!"

Users can have fun viewing samples or checking out streaming video titles of all kinds including award-winning independent films, children's videos, foreign films, documentaries, comedies, dramas, educational videos and more. Movies starring Academy Award-winning actors such as Forest Whitaker, William Hurt, Cate Blanchett, Susan Sarandon, Philip Seymour Hoffman and others are accessible with one click through the OverDrive-powered digital library website. Whether you are interested in learning guitar, catching up on the classical adaptation of The Gift of the Magi or entertaining your family with titles like Inspector Gadget or The Adventures of Paddington Bear, OverDrive Streaming Video has something for everyone. Chief Strategy Officer Lee Milstein, General Counsel Erica Lazzaro and team have been busy in California talking with major motion picture studios, and big announcements are coming soon. Thousands of additional titles in all genres from major studios, including Hollywood blockbusters, will be added on a continual basis.

OverDrive is going live with several libraries as part of a limited pilot program starting this month. Visit search.overdrive.com to see available Streaming Video titles.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a leading multichannel digital distributor of eBooks, digital audiobooks, music and video. We supply a secure lending platform for 27,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide with support for all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Nook®, Android™ phones and tablets, and Kindle® (U.S. only). Recent enhancements to OverDrive's platform include multilingual user interface support, Streaming Video, in-library touchscreen services for browsing and instant sampling of eBooks or audiobooks, and OverDrive Read, the company's EPUB and HTML5 browser-based reading experience.

OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry and is a member of the 2012 Technology Fast 500. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland. www.overdrive.com.