Free Software Streamlines Download Audiobook Use

CLEVELAND, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 17, 2006 -- OverDrive, Inc., a leading digital media distributor, announced today the release of Version 2.1 of OverDrive Media Console, free PC desktop software that enables download, management, and playback of digital audiobooks, music, and video. This free upgrade includes "Transfer Wizard," a feature that with two mouse clicks transfers a downloaded audiobook from a PC to supported portable MP3 players, PDAs, or mobile phones.

OverDrive Media Console has earned widespread praise for its ease of use for downloading audiobooks offered at websites of over 4,000 libraries using OverDrive Digital Library services including The New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Boston Public Library and thousands of others. With a PC, Internet connection, and a library card, patrons can download audio books, eBooks, music and videos to their Windows-based PC, laptop or portable device. The digital titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period, so patrons will never accrue late fees.

"OverDrive Media Console makes the download and transfer of long, unabridged audiobooks to a portable MP3 player a snap," stated Bobbi Slossar, Technology Librarian at the New Hampshire State Library. "This is the easiest way for anyone with a PC and Internet connection to download and enjoy audiobooks on the go from your library website," Ms. Slossar added. New Hampshire Downloadable Audio Books provide patrons of 32 public libraries instant access to the service at http://nh.lib.overdrive.com/

The new software, available at http://www.overdrive.com/MediaConsole/, also provides audiobook listeners with book marking, speed adjustment, chapter navigation, resume from furthest point played, and hot key navigation features. OverDrive provides access to thousands of award-winning audiobook titles from the leading publishers, authors, and narrators including best sellers by John Grisham, Richard Patterson, Tom Clancy, Amy Tan, Janet Evanovich, Mitch Albom, David Sedaris, Dave Barry, Meg Cabot, Dean Koontz and hundreds more.

"Our patrons live and work in rural mountain locations," stated Shelly Kilgas, Systems Administrator for the Grand County Library District in Granby, Colorado. "The OverDrive Media Console and our download audiobook service at http://marmot.lib.overdrive.com provide our patrons with easy access to best-selling audiobooks," she added.

Users of earlier versions of OverDrive Media Console 2.0 will be prompted to update to the newer version. All new patrons of libraries offering OverDrive Audio Books will automatically be offered this new release. For more information see www.overdrive.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Loree Potash Email Contact (216) 573-6886 x202