The holidays are jing’ jing’ jingling our way, and we would be willing to bet there will be eBook readers and tablets galore gift wrapped for loved ones these next few weeks. This means many more digital checkouts are coming your way. And while we are sure you loaded up your digital catalog with bestsellers and popular nonfiction, don’t forget one of the best assets in your arsenal: Project Gutenberg titles!

OverDrive first added Project Gutenberg titles to ‘Virtual Branch’ websites in the US and UK in August 2010, then expanded to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. While Project Gutenberg titles can be found elsewhere on the web, OverDrive removes duplicate titles; then tens of thousands of DRM-free eBooks are made available to readers around the globe, all with no holds, waiting lists or authentication. Plus there is no cost to the library. And, as an extra bonus for users, titles downloaded from your library’s Project Gutenberg collection do not expire and do not count against patrons’ checkout limit. However, it does count toward your circulation!

With Project Gutenberg, users will always be able to find a great title, such as the Adventures of Pinocchio and The Adventures of Robin Hood or Alexander the Great and Anecdotes of Animals, to download and enjoy instantly. These titles can be read using any EPUB-compatible software and transferred to EPUB-capable eBook readers, including Sony® Reader, NOOK™ or Kobo™ eReader.

If you have not added Project Gutenberg titles to your ‘Virtual Branch’ website yet, contact your OverDrive Account Specialist today!

Brianne Carlon is a public relations specialist at OverDrive.