(Cleveland, Ohio) - October 12, 2011 - OverDrive, the leading
global digital distributor of eBooks and audiobooks to libraries and schools,
released 3rd quarter 2011 results showing continued exceptional
traffic and circulation growth at libraries and schools worldwide. Through September 30, the 15,000 libraries in
the OverDrive network enjoyed nearly triple the number of eBook checkouts
versus all of 2010, as well as more than 2 million new users and unprecedented
expansion in mobile device use. With
total visitor traffic approaching an annual run rate of one billion
impressions, this accelerated activity signals even greater demand over the
upcoming holiday period.
Contributing to this growth
are a number of factors, including upgrades in the OverDrive platform, compatibility
across major desktop and mobile devices including Kindle®, and direct mobile
access to devices including smartphones, tablets and Sony® Reader.
"We at North
Carolina Digital Library have seen another huge spike in circulation this year
to date, and are already looking to double what we did last year," said
Ruth Ann Copley, director of libraries for the Davidson County (NC) Public
Library System. "The recent Kindle announcement has only fueled the fire
as we prepare for another record holiday season!"
Circulation statistics
through September 30, 2011 at OverDrive's 15,000 libraries and schools
worldwide:
- eBook
checkouts already up 200% versus all of 2010 to more than 12 million and
on pace to exceed 16 million
- Nearly
2 million new users signed up with libraries in the OverDrive network (on
pace to nearly double in 2011 vs. 2010)
- Readers
browsing on their smartphones and tablets grew significantly, as mobile
checkouts increased to 21 percent of overall checkouts
- Installs
of the free OverDrive Media Console application for eBook and audiobook
reading and listening have passed 9 million, including more than 2 million
on smartphones and tablets such as iPhone®, iPad® and Android™
As part of OverDrive's WIN
platform enhancements ("Want It Now"), which will streamline user experience
and provide more access to more content, OverDrive has made significant
upgrades to its search services, website user interface and help pages and reduced
the steps to browse, checkout and download from the library. Compatibility with popular eReaders and
smartphones has also contributed to the massive growth, as OverDrive added
download access to Kindle and Sony Reader in 2011.
OverDrive provides digital
distribution services for more than 15,000 libraries, retailers, and schools
worldwide with support for Windows®, Mac®, iPod®, iPhone, iPad, Sony® Reader,
NOOK™, Android™, BlackBerry® and Kindle®.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading multichannel 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. OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com
Contact:
David Burleigh
OverDrive, Inc.
216-573-6886 x218
dburleigh@OverDrive.com
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