Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Consortium
OverDrive is a popular web-based service that many libraries use to
provide their patrons with 24/7 access to custom collections of digital
content, such as eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Patrons typically access
this content through a custom website OverDrive creates for the
library or via the free Libby app.
Most Nebraska residents have access to OverDrive through their local
public library. Lincoln City Libraries and Omaha Public Library have
standalone OverDrive collections for their patrons (Omaha's collection also
serves patrons of Baright Public Library in Ralston). A majority of the
remaining Nebraska public libraries participate in the Nebraska OverDrive
Libraries consortium, coordinated by the Nebraska Library Commission. The
Nebraska OverDrive Libraries consortium launched its shared collection of
digital audiobooks on March 10, 2008, using OverDrive's Digital Library
Reserve system. On day one the consortium included 25 member libraries and
the collection included just under of 500 digital audiobooks.
From
inception to present, the goal of the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries
consortium has been to make it technologically and financially feasible for
Nebraska public libraries of all sizes and budgets to offer the OverDrive
service to their patrons. The consortium has met this goal through a
combination of cost-sharing by member libraries and financial support from the Nebraska
Library Commission. Starting in FY2014, the consortium budget received an
additional boost when the Nebraska Legislature approved
state aid funds for the Nebraska eReads program, which supports the
purchase of additional downloadable materials by Nebraska libraries. This
project has also been funded in part by the
U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, in the past through
grants to libraries allowing them to join the consortium, and currently
through the Federal eReads program, which supports the purchase of
additional downloadable materials.
Today
the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries consortium boasts
194 member libraries and
its collection includes over 21,000 audiobooks, 35,000 eBooks, and 4,000 magazines,
all in digital format.
Librarians and patrons can view the collection through the custom
Nebraska OverDrive Libraries
website, and also by downloading and setting up the
Libby app.
To learn more, see: