On Monday, OverDrive announced the acquisition of Australian eBook company Booki.sh, the developer of a cloud-based platform for distributing, selling and reading popular eBooks from anywhere and on any device with a modern web browser.

Booki.sh eBooks live “in the cloud,” are browser-based and do not require the user to first install any software or app. This enables users with PC, Mac®, Linux®, iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ and many other mobile devices to instantly access protected titles for both online and offline use. To leverage the success of the Booki.sh browser-based platform, OverDrive will expand the Booki.sh distribution and digital bookstore platforms as well as integrate Booki.sh HTML5 and EPUB reading technologies into OverDrive library and school services.

“The Booki.sh team has created a fresh, direct and immersive reading experience that uniquely serves the mission of our libraries and schools,” says OverDrive CEO and President Steve Potash. “Their innovative technologies streamline the access and convenience of eBooks, which will help shape how millions of readers and students enjoy eBooks from OverDrive’s network of thousands of libraries, schools and booksellers in over 20 countries.”

The Booki.sh acquisition will ultimately allow for browser-based reading on all OverDrive platforms, realizing the vision Potash expressed at Digipalooza ’11—to bring streaming media to libraries and enable “eBooks everywhere.”

OverDrive did not acquire Booki.sh parent Inventive Labs, and the Booki.sh team will continue to offer its products and services as it supports OverDrive’s publishing, library and school initiatives.

Read the press release.

Michael Lovett is Public Relations and Social Media Specialist at OverDrive