Test Drive your way to new technology

Since the iPad's introduction, and the rise of Android's star, tablets have become ubiquitous. In the early days, the technology was a little intimidating for first-timers, but with the spread of tablets, smartphones, and even hybrid laptops, tablets are a little more David, and a lot less Goliath. The library sphere, as it expands further into the digital age, finds itself becoming just as familiar with this new-fangled Star Trek technology as their patrons. In an effort to help demystify digital reading and its accompanying apparatuses, OverDrive offers the Test Drive program. Our prime directive with the program is to evolve with the market as we accumulate experience, provide real world guidance and practical resources to increase efficiency, and to maintain consideration for the publishers' lending policies. The benefits from this program are two-fold: users get to borrow a device that is already set up with quick access to enjoying a digital title from your OverDrive collection, and your staff can share the device within your location to use for demonstrating the digital side of the library. With Test Drive, we research devices, test them and make informed decisions about which devices to add to the program and recommend for purchase. In addition to selecting devices, we also document the set-up and clean-up processes so that you can provide the devices to your users in much the same way as a physical book. We even offer promotional tools to help you let your users know about the program. The end result is an increase in familiarity with the current wave of digital devices for you, your staff and your users. Let's take a look at a qualifying device, and dive into how the Test Drive program integrates that device into the library lending experience. The Lenovo Yoga Tablet was added to the Test Drive program recently. If your library were to purchase one for Test Drive, you would be able to go to the Test Drive website and download the setup and quick-start. Our setup guide walks you through the process required to get the tablet from the box to installing OverDrive to circulating the device. The quick-start guide is a nice reference for a first-time tablet user to consult for a brief review of how to navigate the device. When the user brings the device back, our setup guide includes instructions for how to clean up the device for the next borrower – providing the exact same experience as the last user. We consider many factors when selecting a Test Drive certified gadget: Can users checkout titles on the device using their own library card? Are direct downloads via mobile site and app supported? Will the device honor copy protection for the digital titles? Is the library lending model respected? Is the device high quality and cost-effective? Is it compatible with OverDrive titles? Is the device easy to use? Does the device allow use without the need for credit card information? Is the device readily available from retailers? Mobile devices like the iPad, Google Nexus 7 and 10, and the Yoga Tablet meet these requirements and allow a great user experience. For a look at which devices are currently featured, visit the Test Drive site and click the Test Drive Devices button. For more information, checkout Program Details, and if you're interested in signing up, click the Enroll Now button.   Justin Noszek is a Support Services Specialist with OverDrive.

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