What’s Trending in Technology: OverDrive’s Next Generation
OverDrive Next Generation Library is here! Over the last few weeks, OverDrive has released a new layout with faster searching and a crisper display of ebooks and audiobooks to be used on your library’s website. The new site uses a technology called responsive web design that gives the patrons the same searching and viewing capabilities whether they are using a mobile device or their desktop computer. The checkout process is also a little easier than before since it is only one step.
OverDrive READ is a new way for patrons to read their ebooks in the web browser they are surfing in. “See Book, Read Book”, OverDrive’s new tag line, takes browser-based reading of ebooks to a new level. The customizable reader allows the patron to read anywhere from their mobile device, tablet, or desktop computer. The main advantage is that they don’t have to download any new software to read an ebook.
OverDrive has recommended that the best browser to optimize your reading is Google Chrome, but other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Apple’s Safari, or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer are compatible. Take a look at the complete list of devices and browsers that are compatible with the new OverDrive Read feature.
I am going to test a few of the features and show you below. One feature I like is the “bookshelf.” This new layout provides an easy way to quickly read an ebook. Take a look at the screen shot below. It automatically tells me the date and time that my ebook expires, what my checkout titles are, and how many I have remaining without leaving the screen I am on.
Next, I tested to see how easy or difficult it was to read the book in my browser. After clicking “READ (in your browser),” a new tab opened in Google Chrome. Since it was my first time, they provided me with a step-by-step chart on how to use the new browser-based reading system. (Screen Shot below)
Now, I can finally start moving through the contents of my book and start reading. As you can see from the screen shot below, you can adjust everything from the font size, justification, line spacing and even the color/background of your reading environment.
Here is a short video from OverDrive’s next generation website explaining the new features.
