Yearly Archives: 2020

OverDrive takes data security and patron privacy very seriously. They continue to invest in updating their services to adhere to the latest standards for data protection and security. To be able to offer more current technologies, they are also sometimes required to discontinue support for legacy services that do not meet the newer standards.

Accordingly, OverDrive is preparing to end support for devices that use the outdated TLS 1.0 and 1.1 security protocols. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the technology that keeps data private when it is sent over a secure (https) internet connection. TLS versions 1.0 and 1.1 date back to 1999 and 2006, respectively, and have since been replaced on most devices by TLS 1.2, which addresses weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the earlier versions. At OverDrive, TLS protects the privacy of patron data, including library card information.

Upcoming Changes

In alignment with security best practices, and following suit with other technology industry leaders like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, OverDrive will end support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 on October 30, 2020. After October 30, the OverDrive app and OverDrive websites will no longer work on devices that don’t support TLS 1.2.

User Impact

This change is most likely to affect Android devices that cannot upgrade to at least Android version 5, including early Kindle Fires, early Samsung Galaxy tablets, and Kobo Arc devices (all of which were released in 2014 or earlier). Based on OverDrive analytics, usage of these devices has been declining and currently accounts for approximately 0.5-1% of users across all OverDrive libraries.

To keep using the OverDrive app and OverDrive websites, affected patrons will need to either update their device’s operating system (if possible) to a version that supports TLS 1.2 or switch to a device that supports TLS 1.2. Users can also choose to only update their device’s browser to a version that supports TLS 1.2, which will allow them to use OverDrive websites in their browser (though they won’t be able to use the OverDrive app). Users of early Kindle Fires and other ereaders that don’t support TLS 1.2 will still be able to read library ebooks if the book is delivered or transferred to their Kindle Fire or ereader from a supported device.

Current Libby users on Android devices should not be affected, as Libby’s minimum system requirements were already raised to Android 5 in June 2020.

User Message

Beginning September 1, 2020, the OverDrive app and OverDrive websites will display a message on devices currently using TLS 1.0 and 1.1 to alert affected users of the upcoming change. This message will link to a help article that explains the change and provides information about the system updates that will be needed to access our OverDrive digital library after October 30.

~ Hilary, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

IMDb has long been a frequent online destination for me. When you swear you have seen a certain actor in something before, it’s satisfying to quickly go to the movie you’re watching’s IMDB page and find the actor’s credits—you end up clicking through to more and more films, more actors.

While still remaining as a great resource for this kind of fact finding mission, IMDB has also entered the streaming wars. However, unlike Netflix and Hulu, you can access IMDbTV for free. Unfortunately, commercials are included, but with the price tag and available library, this is still a great resource to suggest for patrons looking to supplement their library-aided viewing.

An account with IMDbTV is required, but you can sync your existing account from Amazon, Facebook, Google, or Apple so there would be no additional username and password to remember.

IMDbTV currently includes bingeable TV series like Mad Men, Murder, She Wrote, Lost, and Schitt’s Creek. The movie library includes Oscar winners like The Prince of Tides, cult favorites like Battle Royale, comedies like There’s Something About Mary, and there’s plenty of selections for family movie nights, including Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Monsters vs. Aliens. Obviously, these are not especially new titles, but they can scratch a certain itch for both nostalgia purposes and to watch certain titles for the first time that you’ve always meant to watch but just hadn’t gotten to.

Additionally, I have to mention the IMDb game. I discovered this game through one of my favorite podcasts: This Had Oscar Buzz, which highlights one movie each episode that seemed like an obvious Oscar contender on paper, but it didn’t result in any nominations. The hosts end each episode with what they call the IMDb game. One host selects an actor and the other has to guess the top 4 movies associated with that actor according to IMDb’s algorithm. It’s best to avoid actors that have appeared in Marvel, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter films as those tend to clog up their top 4. A fun time-waster that can work in a big group or even as a solo practice.

Here’s Sharon Stone’s IMDb “known for” as an example:

Happy viewing/playing!

Jeff, South Park

You might have heard that we’ve signed a one year agreement with the Post-Gazette to allow in-library use of post-gazette.com from now through July 28, 2021. Now that the paper version has cut back, I’m sure we’re all getting more questions about accessing the electronic Post-Gazette – so this will be good news for all.

Authentication is based on your library’s IP address (which means no remote access). Access is available within your IP range which may reach out to your parking lot depending on your WiFi signal. This means that patrons can bring a laptop or mobile device and access it as long as they are connected to the library WiFi…so from a distance for those who don’t want to come in, and after hours for night owls!

You should have full access to the articles on the website, as well as each days’ Online Edition, the link for which is under “Subscriber Services.”

The website has been tested from within various libraries, but please test it before putting the link on your website. We also recommend saying very clearly in your advertising that access is only available from within your library. I’m sure there will still be questions about why the link isn’t working remotely, but at least it will give you a point of reference if people ask!

Check out this link to try it out (if you’re at the library, that is!): https://www.post-gazette.com/

SelectReads is a site you can browse for new titles available in Allegheny County libraries, plus it offers numerous newsletters. Subscribe for weekly or monthly updates about new titles about your favorite subjects or by certain authors.

Now that we can request and read physical copies again, it might be nice to hold a book and not just a tablet. SelectReads lists only titles that are owned by County libraries, and you can check availability directly from the site. Get a quick start on ideas by looking over award-winning books.

Note: Checking availability links to the classic catalog, and ebooks are not included in these search results. It can also be glitchy and show ‘No Results’, even when the item is actually owned, so you may have to open a new window and search the catalog manually.

You can subscribe to receive email alerts for titles that have recently arrived in your local library.

Does one of your favorite authors FINALLY have a new book to devour? Find out here. You can also look for new authors and read biographies about them. In addition, there is a link here to request items for purchase.

Christy @ CLM