OverDrive, ereaders, and lots of links

OverDrive limits have changed!  At the last WPLC meeting, the board approved the Selection Committee's recommendations for the following (which are now in place):

• Increase the number of checkouts per patron to 10
• Increase the number of holds per patron to 10
• Add a 21 day checkout option for ebooks (note: this will not be an option for audiobooks)

Updated checkout and holds policies can be found on the Digital Download Center Help pages.

All about ebook readers
Now that I've got you thinking about OverDrive and e-materials, here's a handful of items on an ereader theme:

• Helping staff help themselves: Ereaders and training  A recent post from LibraryRenewal highlighted different approaches to help staff get up to speed on ereaders and their support. I like the idea of a $50 subsidy toward staff purchasing an ereader...  you?
• What are SCLS libraries doing with ereaders?  See the results of the first Collective Knowledge survey about eBook readers to find out which libraries have purchased ereaders, what they're doing with them, and what sorts of challenges they've encountered.
• L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire is loaning iPads.  This got a fair amount of press (mentions on Mashable, TechCrunch, other blogs, and even news sites) when it first launched in September. 32 iPads for checkout and 6 for on-premise use were purchased with grant money and are being loaned to the public.
• May a library loan a loaded ebook reader?  The LibraryLaw Blog weighs in on this (short answer: in most cases, yes).
• The Gadget Ecosystem. WebJunction's excellent page on gadgets in the library. How are they being used? What types of gadgets are out there? And there's a section with information about Apps. This is a fantastic list of links with brief descriptions--- everything from "20 Coolest iPad Ideas for Your Library" to "2011 Best eBook Reader Comparisons and Reviews." They've rounded up a great collection of resources to make your library's gadget life easier!

Comments

[Karen]

Yahoo!! about the Overdrive limit changes. This is fantastic.