MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
May 21 – May 28, 2009 Edition
Chinese eBooks Coming
To North American Libraries
CLEVELAND, OH/Authorlink News/05/19/09–OverDrive (www.overdrive.com), a leading global distributor of digital audiobooks, eBooks, and more to libraries, yesterday announced an exclusive agreement with digital publisher ChineseAll to supply Chinese-language eBooks and audiobooks to public libraries in North America. The collection will include more than 20,000 titles, with 8,000 eBooks and 3,000 audiobooks to be available in the first year. Libraries in the OverDrive network will be able to add titles by popular Chinese authors including Mo Yan, Zhang Kangkang, and hundreds more to their digital catalogs. The titles will then be available for download 24/7 from a library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ download website.
"Library patrons across North America are eager to access Chinese-language content in digital formats and this new collection will help libraries better serve their communities," said Erica Lazzaro, licensing counsel at Overdrive"With thousands of eBooks and audiobooks becoming available in the first year and thousands more to come, libraries will have a steady stream of digital titles to offer on their ‘Virtual Branch’ download websites."
"OverDrive’s global distribution network is perfect for delivering our eBook and audiobook titles to library patrons," said Sasha Chen, international business director for ChineseAll. "Our massive catalog of modern Chinese literary classics will provide a valuable service to readers throughout North America and attract new users to library download websites."
ChineseAll is the leading digital publishing company in China and Chinese communities worldwide. The North American distribution agreement with ChineseAll is one of the many partnerships Overdrive is cultivating with companies and institutions in Asia. Overdrive currently works with the Singapore National Library and Taipei Public Library, as well as eRetailers in India and Japan and other publishers from the region.
Overdrive provides download services for more than 8,500 libraries, retailers, and schools worldwide with support for PC, MacR, iPodR, SonyR Reader, and virtually any MP3 player. To see if your public library is a member of the Overdrive network, visit http://search.overdrive.com. Overdrive also operates the Digital Bookmobile (www.digitalbookmobile.com), a high-tech 18-wheeler traveling North America on behalf of public libraries to raise awareness about free digital book downloads.
Overdrive is a leading global digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. We deliver secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers and thousands of libraries,schools, and retailers serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986, Overdrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com
