Monthly Archives: October 2017

Why I Like Libby!

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I was reluctant to try Overdrive’s new app, Libby, for two reasons. First of all, I thought the Overdrive app was pretty good, and secondly, I don’t like change! But now that I’ve tried it out, I note several improvements which give it an edge over the classic app.

  1. Easy toggle between “Library” and “Shelf.” This is NUMBER ONE for sure. I don’t know how many patrons I have assisted who can’t figure out how to find their library or their checkouts in the classic app, and I have to explain about the “hamburger menu” and toggling back and forth. This easy, instant tap makes it worth it for me in and of itself.
  2. Multiple library card option. For families sharing one device, this is a really nice feature. Johnny can look at his books, and then switch to Mary’s checkouts when she’s using it without having to log out & in again. Brilliant.
  3. Quick click on current read. That audiobook I was listening to is front and center, no matter where I am in the app. AND I might mention, it’ll keep playing in the background while I look for & check out the next title in the series.
  4. Speedy Gonzales! I don’t know if it’s just me, but the response and refresh speeds seem much improved with Libby.
  5. Automatic downloads. Yes. This feature makes me wonder – why did they make us go to our checkouts to download stuff in the first place? If I’m checking it out on this device, I probably want to read it on this device. And now. Note that this feature can be turned off for larger downloads or be reserved for Wi-Fi connection only, for those who are out & about and don’t want to use up their mobile data.

All these features I found on my own within a few minutes of using the app. I’m sure there is even more shiny to be discovered with use, and I encourage all those who, like me, don’t like change – give Libby a chance!

Heather Auman
Western Allegheny Community Library

Continue ReadingWhy I Like Libby!

Kindle Enhancements on OverDrive

This week’s post is a message from OverDrive about upcoming Kindle Book format improvements:

“We are excited to preview upcoming updates to your OverDrive-powered website related to the Kindle® Book format. Working closely with Amazon, OverDrive identified opportunities to improve the discovery and borrowing experience for Kindle users. Below is a summary of the changes scheduled to launch on Monday, October 30.

  • The Kindle Book will be the first format option presented to users on the Loans page.

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  • A new option will be added to the Settings page enabling users to select Kindle Book as their preferred format. If a user selects Kindle as their preference, the Kindle Book will be the presented format for titles where it is available (with the exception of OverDrive Read-along titles). Note: Users can change or reset this preference at any time.

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  • When a user filters a search to Kindle Book or borrows a Kindle Book, we will present them an option to select Kindle as their preferred format going forward (unless they already have Kindle set as their preference or have declined this selection previously).

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  • A new Kindle Books link will appear in the navigation menu, which will generate a search for all Kindle Books in your library’s collection, sorted by date added.

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  • We will add a new message at your OverDrive-powered website to promote the convenient options that are now available for Kindle users.
  • A Kindle link and icon will be added to your website’s footer as an additional way for users to discover Kindle.

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We expect that the thousands of users in your community who prefer Kindle as their eBook format—whether they read on the popular Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, or in the Kindle reading app on their tablet or phone—will enjoy this streamlined experience to connect them to their next great read faster.”

Continue ReadingKindle Enhancements on OverDrive

eResources for Children

Below is a highlight of some great eResources available for kids.

 

AR BookFinder

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With AR BookFinder, you can search for book titles based on authors, topics, titles of books, IR Levels, ATOS levels, and more!

 

BookFlix

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With BookFlix, you can enjoy classic video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning.

 

Little Pim

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With Little Pim, you can enjoy the #1 interactive early language learning program.

Languages include: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

 

NoveList K-8 Plus

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With NoveList K-8 Plus, you can find books that are just right for your reading level and interests.Parents, teachers, and librarians can also find tools to teach with books and engage young readers.

 

Overdrive Kids Edition

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With OverDrive, you can borrow and enjoy free eBooks, audiobooks, and more from your library’s digital collection.

 

POWER Kids

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With POWER Kids, you search PA’s digital resources for kids including databases, photos, magazine articles and more!

 

TrueFlix – Scholastic

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With TrueFlix, you can search for topics in science and social studies for highly-engaging multimedia resources!

 

Tumble Book Library

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With Tumble Book Library, you can enjoy animated talking storybooks, ebooks, read-alongs, graphic novels, music, games, and more!

Continue ReadingeResources for Children

Reading History feature is live on our OverDrive site!

With reading history, patrons can see which titles they have already read from a certain author or the last book they read in a series.

HOW READING HISTORY WORKS

Titles are automatically added to the History page (under THREE BOOKS OVERDRIVE ) when borrowed. Each title on the History page is marked with the date of the loan or the date it was manually added. At launch, patrons will see an empty history until they borrow a title, or manually add one.

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If a title is borrowed more than once, it will appear in the history multiple times.

ADDING TITLES MANUALLY

To manually add a title, select THREE DOTS OVERDRIVE from a collection or search results page, then Add to history. Patrons can add titles they read before the start of the history, or titles read from other sources (print, purchased, etc.).

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REMOVING TITLES

To remove a title, go to History under My Account, select THREE DOTS OVERDRIVE for that title, then Remove from history. If a title listed more than once is removed, all instances of that title are removed from the history.

IMPORTING YOUR RATED TITLES

If patrons have any rated titles, they can be added to history using the Add rated titles button. If a rated title is already in history, it will not be added again.

OPTING OUT OF READING HISTORY

A patron can choose to opt out of maintaining their history from Settings under My Account. If a patron opts to display their history again at a later date, they will only see titles added from that point forward.

~ Hilary Lewis Lackner, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Continue ReadingReading History feature is live on our OverDrive site!