OverDrive, Ex Libris Integration Streamlines Discovery of Digital Content

OverDrive, a provider of digital resources for schools and libraries, has announced an integration with library management provider Ex Libris that will allow academic institutions to discover the former's e-books and audiobooks within the Alma and Primo library services platforms.

The integration was highly requested by academic institutions, OverDrive said: "Academic libraries have been asking for a streamlined way to integrate OverDrive's resources into their existing workflows, and we're thrilled to partner with Ex Libris to make this possible," commented Steven Rosato, senior manager, Academic & Professional, at the company. "This integration aligns with our mission to support educational institutions by making it easier than ever for students and faculty to access the digital resources they need."

OverDrive's MARC record feed has been added directly into Ex Libris' "Community Zone," which means libraries using the Alma and Primo platforms can easily activate OverDrive content within their institution's "Institution Zone," the company said. Users can discover OverDrive titles in Primo, for example, and then utilize their institution's OverDrive platform (such as Libby or Sora) to access the content.

"We are excited to partner with OverDrive to integrate their metadata into Alma's Community Zone," said Tamar Ganor, Content Product Manager, Ex Libris. "Through dedicated work from OverDrive and Ex Libris teams, we can improve the user experience and support library needs in activating and managing e-resources."

Currently, the integration only supports e-books and audiobooks; plans for additional content formats, such as films, television shows, and magazines, are "being explored for the future."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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