Downloadable Audiobooks

Q:  When will the Downloadable Audiobooks service go live?

A:  SELCO has not announced a launch date but it will be in January 2011.

Q:  How does an Online Public Library sign up for Downloadable Audiobooks?

A:  Please see the [OverDrive Announcement Memo|^Intro Memo to Online Libraries 2010-06-24.pdf] for the form, which must be completed and returned to SELCO.

Q:  How are titles for the collection to be selected?

A:  A Collection Development committee of Online Library and SELCO staff will be tasked with making selections.  The committee's first meeting is on Wednesday, 11-03-2010.  This question will be updated based on the processes established at that meeting.

Q: What kinds of content can patrons use with OverDrive's Digital Library Reserve?

A: Content accessible through this service include:

• digital audiobooks
• eBooks
• music
• videos

Q: Can this content be used on iPods?

A: According to OverDrive, all of their content can be accessed via the iPod®. According to OverDrive's promotional materials, other supported platforms include:

• Mac® computers
• PCs
• iPhone®
• Zune®
• Sony® Reader™
• Nook™
• Windows Mobile®
• Android™
• "and thousands of other devices"

Q: Can OverDrive content be accessed via a website?

A: MARC records for OverDrive will be added to the SELCO Integrated Library System (ILS) and will be fully searchable via StaffPAC and the AquaBrowser online catalog. In addition, OverDrive will create a website patrons can use to search the content available through SELCO.

Q: Can patrons then download the content through their web browser?

A: Yes, after jumping through one small hoop. Once a title has been selected, the patron will be prompted to download and install a small piece of software. Note that this only happens the first time that patron uses the service. After that, the software will automatically take over and download the content.  The download process is pretty straightforward; the patron clicks a link and the software is automatically downloaded and installed.

Q: Can patrons use the service from public PCs in the library?

A: Yes, but not just from any PC. The download software is associated with a single patron card number, which makes it impossible to use in a public setting. Having said that, there is software that allows a library to designate one PC as a public download kiosk that can be used by multiple patrons. 

Q: OK, I'm listening...

A: OverDrive's Public Kiosk software turns one PC into a public station that anyone can use to download content. As this is a kiosk, the PC has to be dedicated to this function. OverDrive makes this software available as a separate product but has agreed to give each participating SELCO Online Library a license for no additional cost. Specifications for a Public Kiosk PC will be posted when they become available.

Q: You said that records for OverDrive content will be in the ILS. Where do the MARC records come from?

A: For an extra fee, OverDrive provides MARC records for their content. SELCO will absorb this cost and will be responsible for adding the records to the ILS bibliographic database.

Public Libraries online with SELCO may "buy-in" for a fee calculated on city population of 10 cents per potential user and a base contribution of $115 per library.  Included in SELCO's FY 2011 budget is a contribution of $10,000 towards this new Value Added Service and a cooperative purchase for Overdrive technology and content.

To be determined

To be determined 

NOTE: The following websites are created by OverDrive and are linked here as general-interest background information. The information in these pages do not reflect official SELCO policy or procedures and do not necessarily show how the service will work through SELCO.

• OverDrive product page
• OverDrive demo (FLASH)
• New York Public Library OverDrive page
• OverDrive blog
• OverDrive's Facebook page