Bookshelf Bamboozlement – My Most Frequent Overdrive Question
As Tech “Guru” at my library, I get all the Overdrive questions, and the most frequent one is this: “I have the book on my bookshelf, but it won’t let me read it!” I get this question at least a few times a week, as I’m sure many of you do as well.
Here’s how I answer it: “I know – it’s confusing, but there are TWO bookshelves. One is on your online account, showing you what you have checked out, but not yet downloaded. The other is in the App itself, with titles you have downloaded and can read.” Once I explain this, there more often than not seems to be a light-bulb moment, and the patron changes from frustrated Overdrive attempter to savvy Overdrive user. Two bookshelves – who knew?
“Online” Bookshelf:
“App” Bookshelf:
In future, perhaps Overdrive could rename one of the bookshelves – I suggest “Checkouts” on the online cart and “Bookshelf” on the App itself. Until then, this is the best way I have found to explain to patrons this constant conundrum. If you have found another good way to resolve the “two bookshelf” question, please share it!
Heather Blake – Western Allegheny Community Library