Cleveland Public Library First to Offer EPUB eBook Downloads

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - January 15, 2009) - Cleveland Public Library (http://emedia.clevnet.org) today became the first public library to offer eBook downloads in the industry standard EPUB format. Readers at both Cleveland Public Library and CLEVNET member libraries can check out and download EPUB eBooks from the library's download website. The EPUB files are optimized for the Sony® Reader and can also be read on a PC or Mac® with free Adobe® Digital Editions software. More than 8,500 libraries powered by OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) will soon be able to offer eBooks in the EPUB format, along with more than 150,000 titles in audiobook, eBook, music, and video formats, many of which are compatible with both Mac and iPod®.

Patron-defined lending periods will also be available for the first time today at http://emedia.clevnet.org. The new feature allows libraries to offer a variety of borrowing options, such as 7, 14, or 21 day lending periods. Fast readers can now select a shorter checkout time, allowing them to borrow more titles from their library. Patron-defined lending periods, EPUB eBooks, and other upcoming enhancements will be demonstrated at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting 2009 (http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/midwinter/home.cfm) on Jan. 23-26 (Booth #2042).

EPUB is a reflowable, XML-based format for eBooks and other digital publications developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (www.idpf.org) and adopted by leading publishers and technology firms as the industry standard for eBooks. OverDrive, an IDPF member company, is the only library download service that supports EPUB and integrates the format into a single platform for delivering digital audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video to library customers. More information on the EPUB format is available at http://overdrive.com/resources/mediaformats/eBooks.asp.

"EPUB eBooks are enhanced for mobile reading with reflowable text to fit any screen and are compatible with the Sony Reader," said David Burleigh, director of marketing for OverDrive. "Major publishers such as Hachette Book Group USA, Random House, and HarperCollins offer eBooks to libraries in this emerging standard format, so library customers will be able to enjoy award-winning and best-selling EPUB eBooks with just their library card and an Internet-connected computer."

"Introducing the EPUB format in the library market will enhance the eBook experience for library patrons, as well as accelerate the wide-spread adoption of this standard for digital reflowable text," said Michael Smith, executive director of the IDPF. "More publishers are utilizing EPUB as they digitize front and backlist titles to provide a greater selection for digital library patrons."

OverDrive distributes thousands of EPUB eBooks from top publishers. EPUB eBooks by James Patterson, Stephenie Meyer, David Sedaris, Janet Evanovich, Elmore Leonard, Lisa Kleypas, and Brad Meltzer will soon be available to libraries powered by OverDrive. Popular and best-selling EPUB titles will also be available, including "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat," "Things I've Learned from Women Who've Dumped Me," "Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion," and "Gossip Girl."

All EPUB eBook downloads from the OverDrive-powered library download website are borrowed just like a print book. A library customer can browse a library's digital catalog for titles, check out a title with a library card, and download the eBook to his or her home computer. The titles can be transferred from the library customer's home computer to a Sony Reader PRS-505 (with proper firmware installed) or PRS-700 using the Adobe Digital Editions software. At the end of the lending period, the file automatically expires and Adobe Digital Editions prompts the user to delete the title from his or her computer.

OverDrive powers download media catalogs at thousands of libraries worldwide, including institutions in New York, Singapore, Boston, and Toronto. To see if your 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 that travels coast-to-coast raising awareness about free library downloads.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a leading full-service 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

Contact Information: Contact: David Burleigh OverDrive, Inc. 216-573-6886 x218