Student engagment skyrockets with OverDrive’s new features and design

eBooks are being used by millions of students in schools all over the world. Research and the latest data from OverDrive shows that students are engaging more than ever with devices such as tablets, smartphones, e-readers and computers. OverDrive serves a growing network of more than 27,000 libraries and schools worldwide, 6,500 of which are K-12 schools.   School digital library websites powered by OverDrive have shown substantial growth in interaction since the rollout of functionality and design enhancements began in August. A steady rise in page views, visits, new visitors, visitors per day and time spent on the websites highlights the effectiveness of the new features and layout.   October 2013 school digital library website visits climbed 252 percent over the previous year to 417,000. Visitors per day increased a whopping 244 percent to 11,350 in the same time period. Month-over-month visits also showed significant increases (accounting for summer months), starting with 150,000 in April and growing to 418,000 visits by October, while new visitors jumped from 49,000 to 139,050 in the same six months.   The usage statistics underscore the increasing integration and creative adoption of eBooks and audiobooks in school libraries and classrooms through OverDrive Marketplace. Examples of ways teachers are incorporating digital reading are prevalent, ranging from 1-to-1 device programs to BYOD (bring your own device) to offering 24/7 access to classroom reading material online. Specifically designed for teachers and students, the newly enhanced school digital library websites through OverDrive make it even easier by creating a simple, more impactful user experience.  A more robust search, enhanced metadata, and filtering based on standardized reading level information such as Lexile, ATOS and Accelerated Reader scores help students and teachers navigate their digital library collections effortlessly.   Visit OverDrive at AASL November 14-16 in Hartford, Conn., at booth #313 to see a demonstration of these features and more. Don't miss noted NY school librarian Paige Jaeger's Concurrent Session, "Raising eBook Readers – Rising Above Your Reluctance," 8 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Friday, November 15.  For more information on OverDrive's updated school digital library experience, visit www.overdrive.com. To see a list of libraries, schools and retailers in OverDrive's network, visit search.overdrive.com.   Heather Tunstall is Public Relations Specialist at OverDrive.

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