Today we announced the innovative WIN Catalog, OverDrive’s latest in the series of WIN initiatives to streamline user experience and provide more access to more content. The WIN Catalog will be mutually beneficial to libraries and users, as well as publishers. This opt-in feature will enhance the role of libraries as a “reader connecting point” to more content – even that which has not yet been acquired for lending – including front-, mid-, and backlist eBook titles, early works, and complete series. It’s an additional way to help readers discover more titles!
Users will have more options to discover, sample, and immediately access eBook titles directly from the library even if they are not available for lending from the library’s digital catalog (or have long wait lists). Participating publishers will supply their entire catalog for readers to discover other works from favorite authors and series they may enjoy. For these titles, libraries can connect readers with samples, “Recommend to Library” (patron-driven acquisition) and “Buy It Now” from booksellers offering the titles. Each purchase will support the local library as each referred sale will earn affiliate fees from booksellers.
Please stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Brianne Carlon is a public relations specialist at OverDrive.
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Sounds great, just what we need. Will this be available to libraries in the UK too?
Hi Michelle, thank you for writing. The WIN Catalog will be available to all libraries who opt-in to the service. -Brianne
Is there a library’s Overdrive site that we can go to to see this in action? As I imagine it, the service sounds problematic. I am worried that having a full back catalog appear during browse or search will lead to frustration for patrons, as most of the books they find won’t be available for “free” right away. I want to see an active implementation to see how Overdrive is addressing this issue.
Hi Brianne,
Will this service be available to consortium and will we be able to track which library’s patron makes the request?
Hi Scott, more details regarding the WIN Catalog will be coming. Keep checking in for updates!
Hi Ruth Ann: Additional details on the mechanics of the WIN Catalog will be coming soon. Please keep checking back for updates! -Brianne