Library dropped Overdrive for 3M. You could be next! - Page 6

eschwartz · 12-02-2014, 11:56 AM

171 is a lot.

BearMountainBooks · 12-02-2014, 12:40 PM

Mine has 4 in the consortium.

BearMountainBooks · 12-02-2014, 12:42 PM

Oh--the consortium is done to save money--but it does complicate which books they order. They have to meet and decide which books to add. This is why I mentioned that you may need to check with your library about the best way to suggest a book for overdrive. It also takes longer. When I suggest a book, my library first looks to see if it is already in paper--the can mean it won't make the suggestion list. Then it has to be researched for popularity/reviews so that the information is available when presented to the consortium for deciding what books to order. My library has some discretion and can add some book on their own without checking with the other libraries. But, best sellers, for example are done in conjunction with the consortium so that there isn't too much overlap.

tubemonkey · 12-02-2014, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Just looked at my consortium (Ohio digital library) and counted 171 member libraries in it.

Is that a typical amount for a consortium? I suppose if my county decides to ditch Overdrive, I would have to drive to the next county over to get a card there. Financially I can't imagine that happening - I doubt any of the smallish members could stand on their own.

That's a few. Only one of my libraries belongs to a consortium (42 members) and I don't use it. The rest are city or county libraries.

DuckieTigger · 12-02-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

171 is a lot.

Ah thanks. I should take more advantage of it then. Just doesn't feel right - almost like getting something for free and kind of stealing it from more "needy" people. Well, I am paying for it in taxes, so why not use it. I just think of it as an extension to my KU subscription.

DuckieTigger · 12-02-2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

That's a few. Only one of my libraries belongs to a consortium (42 members) and I don't use it. The rest are city or county libraries.

Some members of the 171 are county library systems (e.g. my own county). Too bad I can't join Clevnet though. Theoretically I could for free, but several hours car ride to apply in person is way too expensive.

Bookworm_Girl · 12-02-2014, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the explanation on how book buying works.

My consortium was 11 members and is now 9 after mine and another city have dropped out. Although 1 of the members actually represents 15 smaller cities.

My library is saying that the prime motivation for switching systems is customer experience. Being able to have more freedom to buy the books that their users want (rather than what the consortium wants) is listed as one of the reasons they have changed. It's just that my library picked 3M, and the other city that dropped out picked Overdrive. I've been trying to research more about the other city to find out why they dropped from the consortium too. Losing 2 big cities has got to put more cost pressure on the cities remaining in the consortium. I wonder how those other city libraries feel about it.

tubemonkey · 12-02-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Some members of the 171 are county library systems (e.g. my own county).

Same here. I limit myself to using five libraries and the consortium doesn't make the cut, because of its small collection size.

BearMountainBooks · 12-02-2014, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Thanks for the explanation on how book buying works.

My consortium was 11 members and is now 9 after mine and another city have dropped out. Although 1 of the members actually represents 15 smaller cities.

My library is saying that the prime motivation for switching systems is customer experience. Being able to have more freedom to buy the books that their users want (rather than what the consortium wants) is listed as one of the reasons they have changed. It's just that my library picked 3M, and the other city that dropped out picked Overdrive. I've been trying to research more about the other city to find out why they dropped from the consortium too. Losing 2 big cities has got to put more cost pressure on the cities remaining in the consortium. I wonder how those other city libraries feel about it.

Could just be that your library wants more control over what books to order and in a consortium they didn't have that. Could be politics (Sue doesn't like Jane). Could be Sue Knows Jane At 3M. Could be they got a grant from 3M or other and thus have money to spend on that particular project for now.

With this sort of thing, what you see in your rear view mirror may be closer, larger and different!

Hampshire Nanny · 12-02-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I know most of my libraries have disabled OverDrive Recommend books.

The only library that has enabled the OverDrive Recommend is the one that is not in an Overdrive Consortium. When I discussed the feature with the librarian at my local library, she said that she thought the issue would be that one person is designated the primary contact from Overdrive and that it would be difficult to have all the requests flowing to just one person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Just looked at my consortium (Ohio digital library) and counted 171 member libraries in it.

Is that a typical amount for a consortium?

171 is a LOT. My local library is in a regional consortium that shares a card catalog and allows borrowing from any library in the group. However the Overdrive consortium that most of these libraries was "full", so when my library decided it wanted to offer Overdrive, it had to join a different consortium.

Update: I should have said that the "full" group had 15 members.

Bookworm_Girl · 12-02-2014, 02:09 PM

I found out more information on the other city that dropped out of the consortium. They wanted to control their own purchases rather than competing in the consortium. Their residents downloaded 50,000 ebooks annually from the consortium compared to 36,000 for my city. Their process is more transparent. They tell you how many companies competed, what their evaluation criteria and score was, what the different proposal costs were, etc. They decided to select two companies with three-year contracts. What's fascinating is that it says Overdrive will be the primary contractor during Year 1 (2014) and possibly Year 2 due to the timing of the Baker and Taylor new software platform currently in beta testing. Sounds like that city plans to switch to a different, non-Overdrive primary system in the future too!

EDIT: That city currently has about 5,000 ebooks in their independent Overdrive library compared to 70,000 in the consortium and 3,500 in my city's new 3M catalog.

Joykins · 12-02-2014, 02:24 PM

One of my libraries is in an Overdrive consortium but it also has 3M. I checked out the 3M catalog and it had like 40 books in it. Not worth the bother, at this time. Not to mention I prefer to read from a Kindle. But I guess if they move over I will have to look at it again.

eschwartz · 12-02-2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Same here. I limit myself to using five libraries and the consortium doesn't make the cut, because of its small collection size.

I don't limit myself at all, if I can help it. I use [GUI Plugin] Overdrive Link to find the books I want, and there is no real burden in searching more of them, so if I can get a card (usually from friends) I add it.

Oh, yes. And the plugin supports Axis360 and 3M as well -- so I listed those ones too, I just haven't really had the opportunity to borrow any yet.

BearMountainBooks · 12-02-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I found out more information on the other city that dropped out of the consortium. They wanted to control their own purchases rather than competing in the consortium. Their residents downloaded 50,000 ebooks annually from the consortium compared to 36,000 for my city. Their process is more transparent. They tell you how many companies competed, what their evaluation criteria and score was, what the different proposal costs were, etc. They decided to select two companies with three-year contracts. What's fascinating is that it says Overdrive will be the primary contractor during Year 1 (2014) and possibly Year 2 due to the timing of the Baker and Taylor new software platform currently in beta testing. Sounds like that city plans to switch to a different, non-Overdrive primary system in the future too!

EDIT: That city currently has about 5,000 ebooks in their independent Overdrive library compared to 70,000 in the consortium and 3,500 in my city's new 3M catalog.

There is a baker and taylor one coming out. I don't know much about it other than I'm opted into it in Smashwords. I don't think it's up and running yet. They buy books in batches and if I recall how it work (DO NOT QUOTE ME) they BUY a book from smashwords and then OWN it so they can lend it out for life even if I pull my books from smashwords.

For those of you who can do a recommend--can you also see indie titles/request them? Here is how you can tell:

Go to advanced search, and scroll all the way to the bottom and see if there is a selection that reads: "additional titles to recommend."

You can search to see if it works IF you know an indie author who has her books in the overdrive program (you can use mine if in doubt):

Go to advanced search, put in name of indie author, and then down at the bottom click "additional titles to recommend" Clicking "All Titles" DOES NOT WORK. You have to click the "ADDITIONAL titles to recommend."

Here is a library that has the option of searching for "additional titles."

http://kingcounty.libraryreserve.com...en/Default.htm

Most libraries have additional titles TURNED OFF. My library does not have ANY recommendation settings turned on (and had a heck of a time finding the additional titles to do a search to find some of the small press and indie titles when I asked about them.)

This is just for curiosity purposes. If you don't have time to fool with it, don't feel in the least bit obligated. I'm curious about how many libraries have the functions turned on or off.

Bookworm_Girl · 12-02-2014, 06:04 PM

Quote:

For those who use Axis360, do you recommend Blio or AxisReader for tablet/smartphone reading?

I've answered my own question. I've tested AxisReader. It's not beautiful for browsing, but the customization for reading is great. Many more options for adjusting text than the 3M app.

I've learned through this process that I have many more alternatives for borrowing books than I thought.

12-02-2014, 02:09 PM	#86
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I found out more information on the other city that dropped out of the consortium. They wanted to control their own purchases rather than competing in the consortium. Their residents downloaded 50,000 ebooks annually from the consortium compared to 36,000 for my city. Their process is more transparent. They tell you how many companies competed, what their evaluation criteria and score was, what the different proposal costs were, etc. They decided to select two companies with three-year contracts. What's fascinating is that it says Overdrive will be the primary contractor during Year 1 (2014) and possibly Year 2 due to the timing of the Baker and Taylor new software platform currently in beta testing. Sounds like that city plans to switch to a different, non-Overdrive primary system in the future too! EDIT: That city currently has about 5,000 ebooks in their independent Overdrive library compared to 70,000 in the consortium and 3,500 in my city's new 3M catalog. Last edited by Bookworm_Girl; 12-02-2014 at 02:14 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Overdrive coming to MY Library :-)	mikeayers	General Discussions	21	06-04-2012 09:43 AM
US Navy Overdrive Library	DoctorOhh	News	6	09-27-2011 05:48 PM
Library/Overdrive issues?	JSWolf	General Discussions	7	12-10-2010 03:16 PM
Australian Library goes into Overdrive	SneakySnake	News	26	12-05-2010 12:47 AM
Classic Got Nook? Try Overdrive Library	TrendyGuy	Barnes & Noble NOOK	32	08-26-2010 08:59 AM

12-02-2014, 11:56 AM	#76
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	171 is a lot.

12-02-2014, 12:40 PM	#77
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Mine has 4 in the consortium.

12-02-2014, 12:42 PM	#78
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Oh--the consortium is done to save money--but it does complicate which books they order. They have to meet and decide which books to add. This is why I mentioned that you may need to check with your library about the best way to suggest a book for overdrive. It also takes longer. When I suggest a book, my library first looks to see if it is already in paper--the can mean it won't make the suggestion list. Then it has to be researched for popularity/reviews so that the information is available when presented to the consortium for deciding what books to order. My library has some discretion and can add some book on their own without checking with the other libraries. But, best sellers, for example are done in conjunction with the consortium so that there isn't too much overlap.

12-02-2014, 01:01 PM	#82
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	Thanks for the explanation on how book buying works. My consortium was 11 members and is now 9 after mine and another city have dropped out. Although 1 of the members actually represents 15 smaller cities. My library is saying that the prime motivation for switching systems is customer experience. Being able to have more freedom to buy the books that their users want (rather than what the consortium wants) is listed as one of the reasons they have changed. It's just that my library picked 3M, and the other city that dropped out picked Overdrive. I've been trying to research more about the other city to find out why they dropped from the consortium too. Losing 2 big cities has got to put more cost pressure on the cities remaining in the consortium. I wonder how those other city libraries feel about it.

12-02-2014, 02:24 PM	#87
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,610 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	One of my libraries is in an Overdrive consortium but it also has 3M. I checked out the 3M catalog and it had like 40 books in it. Not worth the bother, at this time. Not to mention I prefer to read from a Kindle. But I guess if they move over I will have to look at it again.

Advert

Advert