Overdrive - recent changes to library website

[FizzyWater]

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but if so, I missed it...

A recent update to the Overdrive library websites I visit finally sunk in to my consciousness tonight.

We've been talking about the update to allow Kindle borrowing, and that part of that change would be a switch that allow libraries not to have to rebuy ebooks to have formats available for the Kindle.

Well a change that's been in place for at least a week, but didn't really sink in, shows they've upgraded the sites to say how many ebooks the library "owns" in total, rather than by format.

For example, I was looking at a book that the library only has 1 copy of, but it's being offered in ePub, PDF, and Mobipocket formats. Used to be, if the library had multiple formats available, the total would be listed under each format - 1 ePub, 2 PDF, whatever. Now it's just a total available, regardless of formats.

So they're that much closer to the changes they mentioned when announcing the Kindle availability...

[mldavis2]

Thanks for the "heads up." I haven't used Overdrive as I own a Kindle, but access would be nice, if not essential. My fear is that my local small-town library, with its low operating budget being cut more and more, may well not be able to afford the Overdrive subscription fees. This year is covered by a generous, anonymous benefactor because the basic budget isn't there. If that fails for next year, the economy being what it is, we may well lose Overdrive. The annual fees are not insignificant!

[Strayer]

My local library isn't able to afford doing ebooks.
Barnes & Noble and Baker Taylor are doing a new type of llbrary lending for ebooks. I want to see how that looks. They will be using a different system from Overdrive.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Strayer

...
Barnes & Noble and Baker Taylor are doing a new type of llbrary lending for ebooks...

Please elaborate on that.

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

For example, I was looking at a book that the library only has 1 copy of, but it's being offered in ePub, PDF, and Mobipocket formats. Used to be, if the library had multiple formats available, the total would be listed under each format - 1 ePub, 2 PDF, whatever. Now it's just a total available, regardless of formats.

With the 'old' system, the ePub and PDF formats were always the first to get snatched up, but I could frequently find available mobipocket offerings. I think the additional 'work' of adding the mobipocket reader with PID to one's computer is part of the reason.

Now, however, all three formats go to 'hold' status if even just one format is checked out.

I think wait times for digital books just got much longer

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DianNC

With the 'old' system, the ePub and PDF formats were always the first to get snatched up, but I could frequently find available mobipocket offerings. I think the additional 'work' of adding the mobipocket reader with PID to one's computer is part of the reason.

Now, however, all three formats go to 'hold' status if even just one format is checked out.

I think wait times for digital books just got much longer

Maybe. But it also means that if the library didn't have an ePub edition and there is one, now they have it. All those PDF purchases instead of ePub now have ePub. Overall this is good. It also means that if there was 2 PDF 1 Mobipocket & 1 ePub, there's now 4 copies regardless of format.

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Maybe. But it also means that if the library didn't have an ePub edition and there is one, now they have it. All those PDF purchases instead of ePub now have ePub. Overall this is good.

That may be a future change contemplated, but didn't occur with this latest modification. No formats were added to current offerings where one didn't exist before.

It also means that if there was 2 PDF 1 Mobipocket & 1 ePub, there's now 4 copies regardless of format.

Technically, it will show a quantity, but I think that's misleading. For instance, I have had a title on my wish list for several months. The title prior to the change was listed in 3 formats -- ePUB, PDF and Mobipocket and showed each format as having one copy each. The ePUB and PDF each had a long waiting list, but the Mobipocket was always available so that's the format I put on my wish list (just as a reminder that I'd eventually get around to readng it).

Immediately after the latest change, the Mobipocket format of the book went to a 'hold' status indicating, to me, that it went into the wait queue of the other 2 formats. So, rather than increasing availability, the recent change, IMO, has actually reduced it.

[JSWolf]

Overdrive has merged formats. You no longer buy an ePub or Mobipocket or PDF copy. You buy a copy. You get it in all the available formats. But only one at a time.

But one thing I am not sure of though is for libraries that started eBook after Mobipocket has fallen out of favor, will those libraries get the Mobipocket editions of just the ePub & PDF?

[ATimson]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But one thing I am not sure of though is for libraries that started eBook after Mobipocket has fallen out of favor, will those libraries get the Mobipocket editions of just the ePub & PDF?

No, it doesn't look like they're retroactively adding Mobipocket support to libraries without it already.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by SCION

Please elaborate on that.

So far I have found this:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...124481498.html

Axis 360 is the state-of-the-art system for accessing digital content that libraries have been looking for. Starting this fall, patrons at Axis 360-powered libraries will be able to check out ebooks to read on their personal NOOK devices. From Axis 360, patrons will also have a link to the Barnes & Noble online store for purchasing digital content and physical products.

Libraries, readers and NOOK customers will find Axis 360 offers several key benefits, including ease of use, intuitive search and browse and reading recommendations. Built on state-of-the-art technology, Axis 360 showcases the digital library collection on a Magic Wall and makes it quick and easy for patrons to check out the titles they want. Starting this fall, librarians and patrons at Axis 360-powered libraries will also have access to EPUB and spoken word audio titles, as well as a patron reviews module that will allow users to contribute book reviews and assign star ratings to titles to be shared within a library system or with other Axis 360 participating libraries.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by SCION

Please elaborate on that.

Here is the website. It makes sense for B&T to get involved since libraries purchase both physical and digital books from B&T already.

http://www.baker-taylor.com/axis360/home.html

[gojisube]

Regarding the recent OverDrive changes, I just checked out a pdf copy of an ebook that I know my library only had epub before. No mobi on my library's site yet as far as I can tell.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by gojisube

Regarding the recent OverDrive changes, I just checked out a pdf copy of an ebook that I know my library only had epub before. No mobi on my library's site yet as far as I can tell.

If they didn't have mobi before the change, they won't have it now.

[FizzyWater]

I think it may also depend on whether Overdrive has the book available in that format.

One of the books I was looking at had all three formats available, but another only had two. I don't think any new books are being converted into Mobipocket format, but if they had it in that format already, it will be available now.

And as Jon said, it might also depend on whether that particular library ever offered Mobipocket as a choice.

[mldavis2]

For text, Mobipocket conversion is just a split-second away. No excuses.