Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 16:49:14 +0530
From: Subbiah Arunachalam
This may be of interest to emala members and lis-forum members.
Arun
Subject: eBooks Are Flying Off the Library Shelves
Dear friends,
The success of the Cleveland Public Library's Digital Connection has been
phenomenal with hundreds of best-selling eBooks being checked out within
the first days of opening. OverDrive is issuing the following press
release on Monday, May 5 which we have sent to you as a courtesy. If you
have any questions, please contact me or Loree Potash at
lpotash@overdrive.com.
Best regards,
Jennifer Jackson
OverDrive, Inc.
jjackson@overdrive.com
*******************************************************
eBooks Are Flying Off the Library Shelves
Library website offers self-service checkout and return of eBooks for
reading on PCs and PDAs
CLEVELAND -- May 5, 2003) All day and night an automated service is
sending out email notices to patrons that their library eBook is now
available for check-out. With the click of a mouse, card holders of the
CLEVNET online lending library at http://dlc.clevnet.org can download
digital versions of Prey, Lovely Bones, Cliff's Notes, or copies of
hundreds of other popular fiction, travel, business, study guides, IT, or
other titles from leading authors and publishers. The eBook titles are
available in both Adobe Acrobat and Palm Reader formats that allow
patrons to read eBooks using their own PC, notebook, Tablet PC or PDA
devices.
Since the opening of Digital Library Connection on April 8 the vast
majority of the opening collection of 1,000 eBook titles was checked out
from the virtual shelves in a matter of days. Now every time an eBook's
lending period expires or a patron returns an eBook early, a programmed
email notice is instantly sent to the patron next on a waiting list for
the title. The waiting patron can click on the link in the email notice
and immediately download the title. The website manages the circulation
of the eBook collection based upon the rules established by the
librarians at the Cleveland Public Library.
"We are exceptionally pleased with both the ease of use and patron
acceptance of the circulating eBook system," stated Cindy Orr, Head of
Collection Management for Cleveland Public Library. "To keep up with the
unexpected demand for eBook titles we have already re-ordered and added
hundreds of new eBook titles to the collection. The CLEVNET Digital
Library Connection provides 24/7 access to a growing digital collection
to serve our patrons from the convenience of their homes, offices or
schools," Ms. Orr added.
The success of the Cleveland Public Library system has gained
international attention for both Cleveland Public Library and OverDrive,
Inc. the eBook technology vendor providing the services and titles for
the system. "We are installing similar digital library systems in several
US and UK libraries. The service automates access for both librarians to
develop and manage their digital collection, and self-service access to
the collection for their patrons," stated Pamela Turner, OverDrive's
Director of Content. "We have added new categories of eBooks for
libraries to circulate. These include reference, scientific, and
educational materials to support school and library learning
initiatives," according to Ms. Turner.
Media Contact: Loree Potash (216) 573-6886 ext. 202 -
lpotash@overdrive.com
********************************************
Jennifer A. Jackson
OverDrive, Inc.
(216) 573-6886, ext. 207
jjackson@overdrive.com
