Librarians & Publishers Advance Download Services at Digital Media Conference

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - August 4, 2008) - Online community building and advancing download technology at public libraries were the focus of Digipalooza '08 (www.digipalooza.com). The library download service user-conference, held July 24-27 in Cleveland, welcomed hundreds of librarians and publishers from across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for a weekend of sharing best practices, education, and networking. Librarians from public, academic, and corporate libraries that offer download eBook, audiobook, music, and video services from OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) shared and celebrated their experiences and innovations.

Sari Feldman, director of Cuyahoga County Public Library and president-elect of the Public Library Association, presented the conference keynote address and encouraged libraries to embrace digital media and become active participants in online communities. Digital Pioneer Awards, or "Digies," were awarded to leading libraries demonstrating excellence in the expansion and promotion of their digital download websites.

From the hundreds of public libraries and consortia that offer OverDrive-supplied download eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video, 13 were presented "Digies" on stage at Cleveland's House of Blues. The winners and their recognized areas of accomplishment are:

--  Boston Public Library - digitizing music from Boston bands and
    providing them promotion and exposure to new audiences from their download
    catalog.
--  Delaware County Library System (PA) - unique and effective community
    outreach programs for their download catalog.
--  Denver Public Library - customer survey programs to advance user
    experiences for download audiobooks and media.
--  Greater Phoenix Digital Library - leadership with digital media
    including record-setting growth for circulating digital book titles.
--  Lee County Library System (FL) - excellent online promotions,
    community outreach, and collection development practices.
--  New Hampshire State Consortium - effective programs for managing a
    large number of independent libraries sharing a digital media catalog.
--  Rochester Public Library (MN) - reporting systems for patron use and
    distributing locally produced student films.
--  St. Charles City-County Library District (MO) - promotional
    excellence, resulting in record circulation growth.
--  Sno-Isle Libraries (WA) - excellent digital media practices and
    promotional campaigns.
--  Southern Ontario Library Service - successful marketing programs for
    member libraries including contests and MP3 raffles.
--  Suffolk Wave (NY) - consortium site management and local digital book
    cataloging.
--  Unabridged: Digital Audiobooks for the Blind (10 states) - providing
    audiobooks to blind and visually impaired patrons, and website enhancements
    for visually impaired users.
--  Wisconsin Public Library Consortium - leading technologies for
    authentication for member libraries.
    

Digipalooza '08 was sponsored by leading audiobook, eBook, video, media, and technology companies including BBC Audiobooks America, Books on Tape, Brilliance Audio, HarperCollins Publishers, Blackstone Audio, Creative, Harlequin, Image Entertainment, John Wiley & Sons, Library Journal, and Random House.

Hundreds of Digipalooza 2008 attendees were also the first to tour the Digital Bookmobile. The 74-foot, high-tech community outreach vehicle launches its national tour on August 10, 2008 in New York City at an event in Central Park in association with New York Public Library.

"Digipalooza '08 provided a forum for librarians, publishers, and technologists to discuss advances, promotional opportunities, and best practices for library 'Virtual Branch' download websites," said Shannon Mangan, library partner services manager for OverDrive. "As a library user conference, we have brought together the leading innovators that provide 24/7 access to popular digital books and more."

OverDrive powers popular download media catalogs offering eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video at thousands of libraries, including institutions in New York City, Singapore, Boston, and Toronto. To see if your public library is a member of the OverDrive network, visit http://search.overdrive.com.

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. We deliver secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for thousands of publishers, libraries, schools, retailers, and aggregators serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com

Contact Information: Contacts: David Burleigh OverDrive, Inc. 216-573-6886 x220