MLC Digital Libraries

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MLC Digital Libraries is a shared, growing, collection of digital materials including: eBooks, downloadable audio books, and downloadable videos; all available at one site. Content is available to patrons of participating libraries through the OverDrive/DLR system.

The site is designed for remote use by library patrons so libraries do not need to purchase any additional equipment to provide this service. Patrons access the digital materials via the web, so the process is virtually hands free for library staff. Over the past year, an average of over 500 NEW patrons have accessed the site every month. Materials may be checked out for a limited period of time, downloaded to the patron's device, and automatically returned to the collection when the checkout time expires. Statistics, reports, training, and marketing materials from OverDrive are available for all participants.


Contents

Participating Libraries

Our current MLC Digital Libraries group is closed to new participants. OverDrive and MLC are now working together to create new OverDrive groups based on cooperative regions. Please contact MLC for further details.


MLC Digital Libraries User Group meetings are held twice a year, usually in March and August. The next scheduled meeting is August 12, 2009, to be held at 10 AM at the MLC offices in Lansing. Documents for the March 2009 meeting:

Agenda
Circulation by format
Checkouts by branch
Current holds
New patrons by month
New OverDrive patrons
Titles purchased to date
Max access orders
Checkouts by subject
Purchase transactions
Community reserve titles
Community reserve titles in pending status


Participating library contacts are included in an email listserv where concerns, announcements, and general information are shared. All actions are decided by the group via consensus or majority vote.

Patrons with support questions should contact their home library directly.

Access

eBooks (short for 'electronic book'), are digital versions of print books that have been optimized for on-screen reading, are available in a variety of different formats, and may be downloaded to a PC, supported PDA, or other reading devise.

Downloadable Audio Books are digital versions of audio books that are DRM-protected and optimized for download. They may be downloaded to a PC/laptop, burned to CD, or transferred to over 500 portable devices, including most MP3 players, smartphones, and car stereos. Click here for a list of compatible devices.

Downloadable Video titles are digitally-protected video files that have been optimized for download. OverDrive Video titles are built using the Microsoft® Windows Media Video format, which enhances the quality for desktop viewing and portable device use. Please note that OverDrive Video is a high speed Internet-only product.

When a patron locates a digital book record in the library catalog, they click on the URL to go to the MLC Digital Libraries site where the book may be checked out. Digital books are checked out for 21 days and are automatically returned to the collection when the checkout time expires. Adobe titles may be returned early, but downloadable audio titles cannot, because of publisher restrictions. The primary checkout model is one book/one user; however the collection does contain multiple copies of popular titles. Patrons may access a synopsis of the book without downloading. There is a hold list available, and patrons are automatically notified via email when the digital book is available for their use. The patron may read (or listen to) the book on their PC or download the information to another device for both the eBook and downloadable audio, or burn a downloadable audio book to a CD. Prior to checking out a MLC Digital Libraries title, patrons must install free software on their PC or PDA. This will activate the DRM (Digital Rights Management) that protects the copyright of the digital book. The required software varies by digital book format (e.g. Adobe Reader, Mobipocket Reader, OverDrive Media Console).


Digital Rights Management

DRM is used for protecting copyrights and permissions for electronic resources. For more details, and lists of compatible devises, go to the OverDrive Device Resource Center.


Digital Library Reserve®

DLR is a web-based digital media platform developed by OverDrive that enables library patrons to download popular digital audio books, eBooks, music, and video remotely from a library web site. DLR delivers easy technology and a selection of titles that may be purchased through Content Reserve.


Community Reserve®

Community Reserve is a digital resource sharing service within the OverDrive Digital Library Reserve platform that enables participating libraries to manage and share download audio books, eBooks, music, and video in supported formats.

Content Reserve®

Content Reserve is a secure, web-based, wholesale distribution service for the sale and delivery of copyright-protected digital media, including eBooks, audio books, music, video, and games & interactive software. Content for the MLC Digital Libraries collection is selected and purchased through this site. All participating libraries receive training and passwords to access the system. Reports and statistics are available through Content Reserve to all participants. Reports include collection information, title lists, circulation statistics, and many more!

Group Policies

Click on the links below for more information:

Promotional Material

OverDrive promotional services flyer

Support

The first place to look for support is the HELP link that appears in the top green bar and at the bottom of the MLC Digital Libraries home page: http://ebooks.mlcnet.org/B21D445D-2685-4A35-961C-D5EE28CD67C2/10/221/en/Help.htm

Also, the Supported Portable Audio Devices link is quite helpful - http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/

Common patron support questions:

Cost

Please contact MLC for new pricing details for OverDrive.

Interested libraries should contact Brian Austin at austinb@mlcnet.org or 800-530-9019 ext 139.

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