Overdrive Redesign

[xendula]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Actually, a very nice lady had the misfortune of taking my call for a good fifteen minutes. I apologized that I was unable to speak directly with the devs and asked if she would be kind enough to forward my comments. She thanked me and said OD does indeed listen to its patrons. (?) As a matter of fact, she told me, as an example, the reason the Cart feature was removed was due to people complaining that their titles disappeared when they finally got around to the checkout hours later -- even though CLEARLY labeled that carts would expire in 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the library. Amazing that this a challenge to some.

She encouraged users to send comments/complaints via the links on the library site -- which can be inconvenient when one frequents more than one library!

BTW, I've always used the classic version of OD's search engine too -- it's the one that has slowed to a crawl. (regardless of my location or time of day/night). I complained about this too.

Interesting conversation! That email form is such a pain to use, but I'll write my 4 libraries as well then.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by xendula

Interesting conversation! That email form is such a pain to use, but I'll write my 4 libraries as well then.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as the saying goes...

[grumbles]

The BC Library system went to the new format a while ago and the Toronto Public Library went to the new format this week. I can't say that I like it. But then I didn't much like the old one either.

You can change the lending period for each type of media, at least you can on TPL's site. You have to go into your account and then into settings. I have settings for ebook (7, 14, 21 days), audiobooks (same as ebooks), music (3, 5, 7,14 days) and video (3, 5, 7 days). There is also the option to change the lending period when you download the book.

[DianNC]

I still prefer OneClickDigital's lending scheme of 1 to 14 days, and it's set up so that you choose just prior to checkout on each individual book.

So, if I check out an audiobook that's only three hours long, I'll choose the one-day lending period. For books that are 16 hours and upwards, I'll usually choose four or five days.

The beauty of their system, though, is that you can return their audiobooks early or renew them (I think up to 4 times).

Unfortunately, their site design is similar to OverDrive's, so points off for that.

[FizzyWater]

I talked to my mom for the first time today since Christmas (yes, I'm a bad, bad daughter). I asked her if she was still enjoying the Kindle my brother gave her. She said she couldn't get books from "that site I go to" anymore.

After a few questions, I finally realized that I'd shown her how to get library books, and when Overdrive switched to the "next generation" crap on the CLEVNET site, should couldn't figure out how to get her Kindle books any more!

I walked her through it best I could (I don't Kindle), but it brought home to me that it's not just us early adopters who are fairly tech savvy who dislike the redesign.

(I also had to show her that the Penguin books weren't available via the Amazon website and wi-fi any more. Apparently, he favorite authors don't write for Penguin, since that old chestnut hadn't affected her ability to download books yet).

[Sydney's Mom]

Hate, hate, hate this. I got a notice that two of my holds were available. I needed to return some books, but between going to ADE and returning and trying to check out my holds, it was about 15 clicks, and finally I found that the book was just sitting in my checkouts. I used to be able to tell how many slots I had when I went to my cart, and make my choices at that time. Obviously, this is not geared toward the power user.

[Skydog]

Everyone posting their complaints must do the same via links supplied within the library site(s).

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Hate, hate, hate this. I got a notice that two of my holds were available. I needed to return some books, but between going to ADE and returning and trying to check out my holds, it was about 15 clicks, and finally I found that the book was just sitting in my checkouts. I used to be able to tell how many slots I had when I went to my cart, and make my choices at that time. Obviously, this is not geared toward the power user.

Your slots should be on the right side once you go to my account.

You never could on the old one know how many slots unless you went into Holds or clicked checkout. The new way keeps you informed better.

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Everyone posting their complaints must do the same via links supplied within the library site(s).

I had to call my library on a totally separate issue this morning and once that was resolved I asked the reference desk lady if she'd had much feedback on the NextGen website. She said no but then proceeded to volunteer that she, personally, thought the old design was much better. Then she mentioned that she only reads paper books and kind of lectured me about all the electronic devices that are choking the environment with no way to adequately dispose of them.

I feel so guilty!

[treadlightly]

Originally Posted by DianNC

I had to call my library on a totally separate issue this morning and once that was resolved I asked the reference desk lady if she'd had much feedback on the NextGen website. She said no but then proceeded to volunteer that she, personally, thought the old design was much better. Then she mentioned that she only reads paper books and kind of lectured me about all the electronic devices that are choking the environment with no way to adequately dispose of them.

I feel so guilty!

And what about all the people who no longer have to drive to the library!

[xendula]

Originally Posted by DianNC

I had to call my library on a totally separate issue this morning and once that was resolved I asked the reference desk lady if she'd had much feedback on the NextGen website. She said no but then proceeded to volunteer that she, personally, thought the old design was much better. Then she mentioned that she only reads paper books and kind of lectured me about all the electronic devices that are choking the environment with no way to adequately dispose of them.

I feel so guilty!

Way to motivate patrons into eborrowing

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by xendula

Way to motivate patrons into eborrowing

It really was the oddest conversation and a perspective that I've not heard aired in defense of paper books before. We did agree on many of the negatives of the library's new website design and disliked many of the same things about it and even chatted a bit about the 'survey'.

I was having one of those "did she just say what I think she said?" moments...considering her career choice.

I can't ever imagine myself not being one of digital media's biggest fans, though...choked up environment or not.

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Your slots should be on the right side once you go to my account.

You never could on the old one know how many slots unless you went into Holds or clicked checkout. The new way keeps you informed better.

I really do like that aspect of the new design. Another feature of the new design I appreciate is it remembers my login information so I don't have to enter it every time as with the old design.

That's it though... in every other respect the old design was better and much faster.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Another feature of the new design I appreciate is it remembers my login information so I don't have to enter it every time as with the old design.

That depends on the library and the device you use. Before, all my libraries remembered my login info, now, one doesn't at all, and one doesn't on my phone but does on my computer, so remembering the login info seems to be unrelated to the new design.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by xendula

That depends on the library and the device you use. Before, all my libraries remembered my login info, now, one doesn't at all, and one doesn't on my phone but does on my computer, so remembering the login info seems to be unrelated to the new design.

I'm having the same issue which is really annoying! It worked fine before. My computer remembers my log-in but mobile device does not.