Public Libraries Power eBook Discovery to New Heights in 2012

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - Jan 15, 2013) -  Readers browsing eBook and audiobook collections at OverDrive-powered libraries and schools viewed 2.7 billion book and title catalog pages and generated 192 million registered visitor sessions last year. As more readers visit their library's digital collection to find their next great read, the digital library has become a critical hub of book discovery. Across OverDrive's network of 22,000 libraries and schools, browsing and sampling skyrocketed in 2012, giving fresh exposure to titles throughout OverDrive's catalog of more than 1 million eBooks and audiobooks. To find a library near you, visit search.overdrive.com.

"As a result of the continued expansion of OverDrive's library service platform and the addition of over 300,000 titles, including Harry Potter and other bestsellers, digital libraries saw record traffic last year," said Shannon Lichty, OverDrive's Manager of Library Partner Services. "For decades, readers have turned to the library to discover new books, and OverDrive's new responsive library platform is based on web-centric open standards to carry that tradition to the next generation of readers." For an example of OverDrive's Next Generation services, visit Los Angeles Public Library's e-Media site (http://lapl.lib.overdrive.com).

Key statistics:

• 192 million registered visitor sessions, up 93 percent from 2011
• 2.7 billion book and title catalog pages viewed, up 65 percent
• Sampling is up more than 500 percent, with a significant spike following the release of OverDrive Read samples in Sept. 2012
• Discovery has increased by more than 60 percent, with more than 1 billion cover image impressions in Dec. 2012
• OverDrive catalog now includes 1 million eBook, audiobook, music and video titles in 65 languages, including 300,000 titles added in 2012
• Mobile visits increased to 47 percent of all visits
• 16 million downloads of the OverDrive Media Console app in 2012
• 70 million digital titles checked out in 2012

At the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting (Washington State Convention Center, Booth 1115) in Seattle, Jan. 25 to 28, OverDrive will share additional eBook data and demonstrate how reader engagement is soaring at Next Generation libraries. The Cleveland-based digital distributor is pioneering a series of Next Generation enhancements that extend the value of its industry-leading eBook-lending platform.

Currently in pilot at 35 public libraries, OverDrive's Next Generation websites streamline the digital library experience with One-Step Checkout™, a powerful search engine, and the new HTML5-powered, instant-access eBook-reading technology OverDrive Read. In 2013, OverDrive will also implement streaming audio and video technology and release additional APIs that enable libraries to fully integrate digital and print catalogs.

OverDrive offers a catalog of more than 1 million eBooks and audiobooks with support for all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Nook®, Android™ phones and tablets, and Kindle® (U.S. only). To find a library near you, visit search.overdrive.com. 

About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading multichannel digital distributor of eBooks, digital audiobooks, music and video. We supply a secure lending platform for 22,000 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). 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