The End of a State-wide Era

Today marks the end of the State of Kansas contract with the company OverDrive that supplied library patrons state-wide with access to downloadable eAudio and eBooks.  This change has only slightly affected us here at HPL since we have continued our own separate relationship with OverDrive (one that has existed since before the state-wide consortium).

The State Library is starting up a new service called Kansas EZ Library.  Right now patrons are only able to access eAudio provided by the State's new contractor, Recorded Books and their One-Click Digital service.  I hope that HPL patrons will try this new service and give us their thoughts about its value compared to OverDrive.  We have looked hard at alternatives to OverDrive and have yet to find one that we felt would serve our patrons best.  I am anxious for the State's eBook service to start later this winter.  The State will be using 3M's Cloud Library to loan eBooks to Kansas Library Card holders, which includes HPL patrons.  Again, once this service starts up, I hope to hear from our patrons regarding what the service is like from their perspective.  For our part, we will be evaluating both services.  Our process will continue to be driven by what is best for our patrons.