Information for the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group
Access
Authentication
Circulation Policies & Settings
Collection Development (Budget)
Funding History
Hold Ratios & Additional Copies
How to Participate
Mailing List
MARC Records
Marketing Materials
Meeting Materials
Monthly Circulation Reports
Non-Resident Borrowers
OverDrive Advantage
OverDrive Marketplace (formerly Content Reserve)
Participating Libraries
Staff Training & Patron Assistance
Troubleshooting
Access
To view, checkout, and download digital titles owned by the Nebraska
OverDrive Libraries Group, patrons of member libraries can go directly to
the group's virtual branch website, located at:
https://nebraska.overdrive.com.
Some member libraries also provide access to digital titles directly via
MARC records in their online catalogs.
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Authentication
While anyone can go to the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries virtual branch
website site and browse or search to see what titles are included in the
collection, only authorized patrons of member libraries may sign in in order
to checkout and download titles. There are two primary ways in which member
libraries can authenticate their patrons:
- Libraries that use an integrated library system (ILS) that supports
remote patron authentication can set up authentication directly with
OverDrive by filling out and submitting an ILS Vendor Settings form. The
data submitted via this form
enables OverDrive to authenticate (or block) patrons based on real-time
data from the ILS. In our consortium we have member libraries with
SIRSI, Polaris, and Apollo using this authentication method. The ILS
Vendor Settings form can be requested from and submitted to
Susan Knisely.
- Libraries that use an ILS that doesn't support remote patron
authentication (e.g. Follett) can have the Nebraska Library Commission
handle patron authentication to OverDrive for them. In order for the
Nebraska Library Commission to
do this libraries will need to submit patron data (specifically
barcodes) for all patrons they want to have access to OverDrive.
Libraries will need to provide updated patron data to the Nebraska
Library Commission when they issue new cards or delete patron accounts.
To assist libraries in updating patron data on file with the
Nebraska Library Commission we have created a password-protected page on
our website that allows libraries to quickly and easily update patron data. This
page is located at
https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/overdrive/patronupload.asp and can
be used to:
- Add a Library Card Number
- Delete a Library Card Number
- Upload a File Containing Multiple Library Card Numbers
Individual library card number additions and
deletions will take effect
immediately, in real time. Uploaded files are handled manually by Library
Commission staff.
Please allow several days for uploaded files to be processed. Login
information needed to to access this page is available upon request from
Susan Knisely or
Devra Dragos.
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Circulation Policies & Settings
The following circulation policies and settings
have been established by vote by libraries participating in the
Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group. These settings can and should be
reevaluated in response to patron feedback and patterns of use. Changes can
be made at the discretion of the group.
- Circulation period for audiobooks = 7 or 14 days
(started with 14 days; changed to 7 days on June 16, 2008 due in part to
the fact that audiobooks couldn't be returned early at the time; changed to patron
choice 10-26-11)
- Circulation period for eBooks = 7, 14 or 21 days (eBooks CAN be returned early;
started with 21 days; changed to patron choice 10-26-11)
- Number of titles a patron can check out at
one time = 6 total (started with 3; went to 4 on November 1, 2008; increased to 6 on January 6, 2014)
- Number of titles a patron can have on hold
at one time = 3
- Number of days a title placed on
hold will be reserved for the patron once it becomes available for the
patron to check out = 3
days (starting when a notice is emailed informing the patron the title is
available)
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Collection Development
(Budget)
Annual participation fees submitted by participating libraries, in
addition to Nebraska eReads funds, are used to purchase content.
The group has typically divided the budget as
follows:
- Adult Fiction (current, popular,
bestsellers) - 57%
- Adult Non-Fiction (current, popular
bestsellers) - 20%
- Juvenile/Young Adult - 23%
The group currently purchase both audiobooks and
eBooks:
-
Audiobooks are available in MP3
format and have been purchased regularly since the group went live in
March 2008. The average cost of audiobooks purchased for the collection
in 2015-2016 was $55.00.
-
eBooks are available in EPUB, PDF, and OverDrive READS
formats and have been purchased regularly since July 2010. The average
cost of eBooks purchased for the collection in 2015-2016 was $22.00.
-
The group made its first eBook purchase in July 2010 using funds
appropriated from the audiobook budget. Starting in October 2010, 1/3 of
the total budget was allocated for eBooks and 2/3 for
audiobooks. In April 2011, based on high demand for eBooks, the group
voted to shift funds into the
eBook budget so that approximately 1/2 of the budget goes for eBooks and
1/2 our budget goes for audiobooks.
Primary collection development responsibilities
are currently shared by two volunteer selectors from member libraries, both
of whom happily welcome title suggestions:
-
Mary Jo Mack, Director of
the John A. Stahl Library in West Point currently purchases adult
fiction. (Email title suggestions to
maryjo@wplibrary.com)
-
Karen Drevo, Youth
Services Librarian at Norfolk Public Library currently purchases adult
non-fiction and JUV/YA titles. (Email title suggestions to
kdrevo@norfolkne.gov)
Title suggestions may also be emailed to
Nebraska Library Commission staff members
Susan Knisely
or
Devra Dragos.
To search the complete catalog of titles
available to purchase, member librarians are encouraged to login to
OverDrive Marketplace. (See more
information about OverDrive Marketplace below.)
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Funding History
Funding for year one of the Nebraska OverDrive
Libraries Group consisted of the following:
- One-time cost to create group website: $28,000 (Nebraska Library
Commission)
- Year one maintenance fee: $12,000 (Nebraska Library Commission)
- Year one content budget: $28,552.34 (Participating Libraries)
- One-time content subsidy: $20,000 (Nebraska Library Commission)
Total Year One Budget: $88,552.34 / Year One
Content Budget: $48,552.34
Annual Maintenance Fee: NLC
has and will continue to pay the $12,000 annual maintenance fee. Beginning
in 2016, this fee will increase by $2,000 annually, for at least 5 years, so
$14,000 in 2016, $16,000 in 2017, etc.
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Hold Ratios & Additional Copies
In October 2011 the group voted to lower our target hold ratio (the
number of holds on a title divided by the number of copies owned) from 8 to
6; in December 2013 the group voted to lower the hold ratio to 5. This means that whenever possible we will buy additional copies of titles so that there is at least one copy of the title for every five holds on it.
Since 2013, changes to licesning models (specifically, titles expiring
after a certain number of checkouts or a certain amount of time) and cost
have complicated the decision about whether or not to purchase additional
copies -- or replacement copies after a licensed item expires. The group
voted for the selectors to exercise personal discretion in these decisions
going forward, taking into account licensing model, cost, and past
circulation.
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How to Participate
To learn how your Nebraska public library can participate in our group,
jump to our OverDrive Pricing Page.
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Mailing List
At least one staff member from each
participating library should be signed up for the
Nebraska OverDrive mailing list,
where concerns, announcements, and general information about the Nebraska
OverDrive Libraries project are shared. Additional staff members from
participating libraries are welcome to sign up as well.
To post a message to the group send an email to
NEBRASKAOVERDRIVE@nlc.state.ne.us
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MARC Records
OverDrive MARC Express offers ready-to-load MARC records to your library
at no cost. OverDrive creates these minimum MARC records in-house and
delivers them to OverDrive Marketplace the day after a content order is
placed. Your library can then load the record as is, or edit to suit your specific needs.
To access MARC Express records through Marketplace, your Marketplace
account must have "Download MARC records" permission. If you need this
permission added to your account, please contact
Susan Knisely.
For additional information, see
OverDrive Resource Center MARC Records.
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Marketing Materials
Visit OverDrive's
Marketing & Outreach website to download additional of print-ready
and digital marketing materials.
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Meeting Materials
Central Nebraska Coop and RBdigital Meeting, Online, August 12, 2020 (Video)
OverDrive Users Meeting, NLA/NSLA Conference, October 11, 2013
OverDrive Users Meeting, Lincoln/Online, November 22, 2013
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Monthly Circulation Reports
Reports include circulation statistics for each library including numbers of Advantage copies loaned to their patrons and others.
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Non-Resident Borrowers
Libraries that participate in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries group are
strongly encouraged to have written non-resident borrower policies in place
that outline not only who is eligible for a non-resident card, but also what
services non-resident card holders are entitled to use.
It is understood that libraries in the group will arrive at different
policies based on their different local situations (funding source,
philosophy, geography, etc.). However, libraries should keep in mind the
following clause from the OverDrive license agreement: "It is agreed
that the criteria for defining Authorized Patron shall include some
restrictions from allowing users with no practical physical access to the
Library's location."
It should also be noted that licensed, online/electronic resources are
outside the scope of the NebrasKard program.
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OverDrive Advantage
OverDrive
Advantage gives libraries that are members of a consortium the ability to
offer titles exclusively for their patrons. OverDrive Advantage members can
purchase additional copies of popular titles that are already in the shared
collection as well as titles that are not yet available in the shared
collection. OverDrive Advantage membership allows libraries to offer their
patrons reduced waiting lists on popular titles, plus a custom collection of
titles developed specifically for the local community
OverDrive Advantage members receive a special login to their consortium's
current Marketplace account. This allows them to purchase titles for their
Advantage collection. Loan periods and lending rules established by the
consortium remain the same for OverDrive Advantage titles.
The Advantage enrollment fee is currently $250. This fee will be
applied as an OverDrive Advantage content credit that can be used by the
library to purchase content. Advantage libraries can purchase additional
content at any time, as long as account is in good standing. Content
purchases will be billed to the library. For more information or to request
an Advantage enrollment form, email
Susan Knisely.
Advantage Plus: Advantage libraries can also choose to
participate in Advantage Plus, which allows them to share some or all of
their Advantage titles with other libraries in the consortium, while
maintaining priority on holds for their own users. Libraries that
participate in Advantage Plus are eligible to receive lender compensation
from the Nebraska Library Commission. If libraries aren't already set up to
receive lender compensation for OCLC interlibrary loans to Nebraska
libraries, they will need to
fill out paperwork
in order to be eligible.
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OverDrive Marketplace (Formerly Content Reserve)
OverDrive Marketplace is the password-protected
acquisition, circulation, and site management portal for OverDrive's Digital
Library Reserve system. It allows authorized library staff to review titles
available for purchase, generate usage reports and statistics, reactivate
download links, and more.
Marketplace accounts have been set up for
directors of participating libraries. Accounts can be set up for additional
staff members of participating libraries upon request.
To access OverDrive Marketplace go to
http://marketplace.overdrive.com
If you need to have your login information sent
to you again or if you need to request an additional account email
Susan Knisely.
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Participating Libraries
The following 174 libraries are currently participating in the Nebraska
OverDrive Libraries group:
- Ainsworth | Ainsworth Public Library
- Albion | Albion Public Library
- Alliance | Alliance Public Library
- Alma | Hoesch Memorial Public Library
- Arapahoe | Arapahoe Public Library
- Arlington | Arlington Public Library
- Arthur | Arthur County Library
- Ashland | Ashland Public Library
- Atkinson | Atkinson Public Library
- Auburn | Auburn Memorial Library
- Aurora | Alice M Farr Library
- Axtell | Axtell Public Library
- Bancroft | Bancroft Public Library
- Bartley | Bartley Public Library
- Bassett | Rock County Public Library
- Battle Creek | Lied Battle Creek Public Library
- Bayard | Bayard Public Library
- Beatrice | Beatrice Public Library
- Beaver City | Beaver City Public Library
- Beemer | Karlen Memorial Library
- Bellevue | Bellevue Public Library
- Benkelman | Dundy County Library
- Bennington | Bennington Public Library
- Blair | Blair Public Library & Technology Center
- Bloomfield | Bloomfield Public Library
- Blue Hill | Blue Hill Public Library
- Bridgeport | Bridgeport Public Library
- Broken Bow | Broken Bow Public Library
- Bruning | Bruning Public Library
- Burwell | Garfield County Library
- Callaway | Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library
- Cambridge | Butler Memorial Library
- Central City | Central City Public Library
- Chadron | Chadron Public Library
- Chappell | Chappell Memorial Library & Art Gallery
- Clarkson | Clarkson Public Library
- Clay Center | Clay Center Public Library
- Clearwater | Clearwater Public Library
- Columbus | Columbus Public Library
- Cozad | Wilson Public Library
- Crawford | Crawford Public Library
- Creighton | Creighton Public Library
- Crete | Crete Public Library
- Culbertson | Culbertson Public Library
- Curtis | Klyte Burt Memorial Library
- Dakota City | Dakota City Public Library
- David City | Hruska Memorial Public Library
- Deshler | Jennifer Reinke Public Library
- Elgin | Elgin Public Library
- Elmwood | Elmwood Public Library
- Elwood | Elwood Public Library
- Emerson | Emerson Public Library
- Fairbury | Fairbury Public Library
- Fairmont | Fairmont Public Library
- Falls City | Falls City Library & Arts Center
- Franklin | Franklin Public Library
- Fremont | Keene Memorial Library
- Fullerton | Fullerton Public Library
- Geneva | Geneva Public Library
- Genoa | Genoa Public Library
- Gering | Gering Public Library
- Gibbon | Gibbon Public Library
- Gordon | Gordon City Library
- Gothenburg | Gothenburg Public Library
- Grand Island | Grand Island Public Library
- Grant | Hastings Memorial Library
- Gretna | Gretna Public Library
- Harrison | Sioux County Public Library
- Hartington | Hartington Public Library
- Hastings | Hastings Public Library
- Hebron | Hebron Secrest Library
- Hemingford | Hemingford Public Schools
- Hildreth | Hildreth Public Library
- Holdrege | Holdrege Area Public Library
- Hooper | Hooper Public Library
- Howells | Howells Public Library
- Humboldt | Bruun Memorial Library
- Humphrey | Humphrey Public Library
- Hyannis | Grant County Library
- Imperial | Lied Imperial Public Library
- Kearney | Kearney Public Library
- Kimball | Kimball Public Library
- La Vista | La Vista Public Library
- Laurel | Laurel Community Learning Center
- Leigh | Leigh Public Library
- Lexington | Lexington Public Library
- Louisville | Louisville Public Library
- Loup City | Loup City Public Library
- Lyons | Lyons Public Library
- Madison | Madison Public Library
- McCook | McCook Public Library
- Mead | Mead Public Library
- Meadow Grove | Meadow Grove Public Library
- Milford | Webermeier Memorial Library
- Minden | Jensen Memorial Library
- Mitchell | Mitchell Public Library
- Morrill | Morrill Public Library
- Nebraska City | Morton-James Public Library
- Neligh | Neligh Public Library
- Nelson | Nelson Public Library
- Norfolk | Norfolk Public Library
- North Bend | North Bend Public Library
- North Platte | North Platte Public Library
- Oakland | Oakland Public Library
- Ogallala | Kathleen Lute Public Library
- O'Neill | O'Neill Public Library
- Orchard | Orchard Public Library
- Ord | Ord Township Library
- Orleans | Cordelia B Preston Memorial Library
- Osceola | Osceola Public Library
- Oshkosh | Oshkosh Public Library
- Osmond | Osmond Public Library
- Oxford | Oxford Public Library
- Palisade | Palisade Public Library
- Palmyra | Palmyra Memorial Library
- Papillion | Sump Memorial Library
- Pawnee City | Pawnee City Public Library
- Paxton | Paxton Public Library
- Pender | House Memorial Library
- Pierce | Lied Pierce Public Library
- Pilger | Pilger Public Library
- Plainview | Plainview Public Library
- Plattsmouth | Plattsmouth Public Library
- Polk | Polk Public Library
- Ponca | Ponca Carnegie Library
- Randolph | Lied Randolph Public Library
- Ravenna | Ravenna Public Library
- Red Cloud | Auld Public Library
- Rushville | Rushville Public Library
- Saint Edward | St Edward Public Library
- Saint Paul | St Paul Public Library
- Sargent | Sargent Township Library
- Schuyler | Schuyler Public Library
- Scottsbluff | Lied Scottsbluff Public Library
- Scribner | Scribner Public Library
- Seward | Seward Memorial Library
- Shelby | Shelby Community Library
- Sidney | Sidney Public Library
- South Sioux City | South Sioux City Public Library
- Spalding | Spalding Public Library
- Springfield | Springfield Memorial Library
- Stanton | Stanton Public Library
- Stapleton | Logan County Library
- Stromsburg | Stromsburg Public Library
- Superior | Superior Public Library
- Sutherland | Maxine White-Sutherland Public Library
- Sutton | Sutton Memorial Library
- Syracuse | Syracuse Public Library
- Tecumseh | Tecumseh Public Library
- Tekamah | Lied Tekamah Public Library
- Thedford | Thomas County Library
- Tilden | Raymond A Whitwer Tilden Public Library
- Trenton | Trenton Public Library
- Valentine | Valentine Public Library
- Valley | Valley Public Library
- Valparaiso | Valparaiso Public Library
- Verdigre | Verdigre Public Library
- Wahoo | Wahoo Public Library
- Wakefield | Gardner Public Library
- Walthill | Walthill Public Library
- Waterloo | Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library
- Wauneta | Wauneta Public Library
- Wausa | Lied Lincoln Township Library
- Wayne | Wayne Public Library
- Weeping Water | Weeping Water Public Library
- West Point | John A Stahl Library
- Western | Struckman-Baatz Public Library
- Wilber | Dvoracek Memorial Library
- Winside | Lied Winside Public Library
- Wisner | Wisner Public Library
- Wood River | Maltman Memorial Public LIbrary
- Wymore | Wymore Public Library
- York | Kilgore Memorial Library
- Yutan | Yutan Public Library
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Staff Training & Patron Assistance
To prepare your staff to assist patrons with OverDrive, be sure to take
advantage of training opportunities!
- Visit OverDrive's
Staff
Training website to register for online training sessions, view
recordings of training sessions, and access additional training
resources!
- View recordings of online training sessions by Nebraska Library Commission staff members.
- Nebraska OverDrive
Libraries Basic Training
This "basic training" session will provide brief background
information on the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries group (history,
funding, policy, procedure), as well as a tour of the
Nebraska OverDrive
Libraries digital collection website. Attendees will learn how
to search and browse the website for content and borrow and place
holds on titles. We’ll also review the most popular methods of
reading and listening to eBooks and audiobooks, including browser-
and app-based options. This session was conducted by Susan
Knisely. Date: December 7, 2017. 1:33:55.
Slides (PDF)
- OverDrive Marketplace:
Shopping, Statistics, and Support
Marketplace is OverDrive’s shopping
and admin portal, available to library staff at
http://marketplace.overdrive.com. At least one person at each
Nebraska OverDrive library should have a Marketplace account.
Additional staff accounts can be created upon request. This session
reviews how to search the OverDrive Marketplace Shop in order to see
what titles are available to purchase through OverDrive. Even if
you’re not authorized to make purchases yourself (most Marketplace
accounts aren’t set up with purchase permission), having access to
this information can help you answer patron questions about content
availability and also make informed purchase recommendations, which
are always welcome. You’ll also learn how to run a variety of usage
reports, access end-user support tools, and submit a support form
requesting technical assistance. This session was conducted by Susan
Knisely. Date: November 10, 2016. 1:22:35.
Slides (PDF)
- OverDrive Advantage Plus
This training session is aimed at
Nebraska OverDrive Advantage libraries. It will provide instructions
on setting up and customizing an Advantage Plus Plan in order to
shar titles originally purchased for the exclusive use of your own
patrons with patrons of other libraries in the Nebraska OverDrive
consortium. You'll also learn about reports you can use to track
circulation activity generated by your participation in the
Advantage Plus program and get answers to questions about using
Marketplace as an Advantage library. This session was conducted by
Devra Dragos. Date: November 28, 2017. 47:33.
The following handouts may be of use to both staff and patrons:
Don't forget these helpful online resources available directly from
OverDrive:
- OverDrive Help
Videos - Access short videos demonstrating how to use OverDrive.
- OverDrive Device
Profiles --
Each profile lists recommended software and/or apps, compatible formats,
and links to articles and videos containing step-by-step instructions to
help you get started with a particular device.
-
OverDrive Help - Access
articles on a variety of help topics.
-
Libby Help - Get help using
Libby, the newest app from OverDrive. Libby is recommended for patrons
who are new to OverDrive. Libby is available for Android, iOS
(iPhone/iPad/iPod touch), and Windows 10.
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Troubleshooting
The first line of defense for patrons who experience problems with
OverDrive should be their local librarian. If the local librarian is unable
to troubleshoot the problem, the librarian can login to OverDrive
Marketplace and fill out a support form.
What follows is a sampling of the types of information that may be
required in order to troubleshoot a problem:
- Patron's Library Card Number
- Patron's PIN or last name (if applicable)
- Title and Format (MP3, EPUB, PDF, Kindle) of Problem Media
- Patron's Operating System (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS X,
Android, iOS, etc.)
- Patron's Browser and Version Number (IE 7.x, Firefox 3.x, etc.)
- Device that patron is using
- Text and/or screen shot of any error messages
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