OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive was founded in 1986[1] and initially converted analog media to digital formats, such as interactive diskettes and CD-ROMs. In 2000, the company opened Content Reserve, an online ebook and downloadable audiobook repository from which its distribution business would develop.[2]

In 2012, the company announced a series of service upgrades, including: OverDrive Read, a browser-based ereader, streaming audiobooks, which enable access to audiobooks via the OverDrive Media Console apps; OverDrive Media Station, which allows users to browse their library's digital collection on touchscreen monitors and public Internet workstations; Next Generation Content Reserve, a collection-development portal; and OverDrive APIs, which allow developers to integrate OverDrive content into apps and platforms.[3] The company also announced a partnership with LexisNexis to provide the LexisNexis Digital Library, a customized eLending platform for the legal library market.[4]

In 2014, OverDrive completed its Headquarters in the Cleveland suburb of Garfield Heights, Ohio.

In April 2015, Rakuten bought OverDrive for $410 million, with the deal set to close in April 2015. OverDrive CEO Steve Potash remained in his position and OverDrive kept its name while operating under Rakuten USA.[5]

In 2019, it was reported that Private Equity firm KKR would be purchasing OverDrive from Rakuten. The price of the sale was not disclosed, though Rakuten said it would recognize about $365.6 million in profit from the sale in the first quarter of 2020.[6][7] Potash later offered more details about the KKR acquisition in a message to Overdrive's library customers;[8] the acquisition was finalized in June 2020.[9]

OverDrive launched its Digital Library Reserve, a digital download platform for public libraries, in 2002.[10] In 2004, the platform was changed into a DRM-protected audiobook download platform.[11] In 2005, OverDrive installed download stations into public libraries[12] and added music to its library platform.[13] OverDrive added downloadable videos in April 2006.[14] In 2007, the company launched its School Download Library, an eBook service for K–12 schools based on Digital Library Reserve. In March 2008, the company announced plans to provide MP3 audiobooks to public libraries as well as retailers.[15]

Before entering the library market, OverDrive distributed eBooks to a number of e-tailers. In 2002, OverDrive was selected as the distributor of HarperCollins’ eBooks to the publisher's online retail stores.[16] OverDrive launched web stores for Harlequin Enterprises in 2005.[17] In 2008, OverDrive announced that it would provide download services for Borders Books.[18]

OverDrive has entered into partnerships with technology companies including Adobe Systems, Microsoft, Mobipocket, and Nokia. In 2008, Adobe and OverDrive jointly announced that OverDrive would be the co-developer and operator of Adobe ADEPT, a hosted DRM service to protect files viewed with Adobe Digital Editions.

In 2012, OverDrive partnered with Nokia to launch Nokia Reading, an eReading app and service for Nokia's Lumia 900, 800, 710, and 610 Windows Phone devices.[19]

OverDrive's download services include several software as a service products for libraries, retailers, schools, publishers and the military, as well as web-based products for content protection and management. These include:

• Adobe ADEPT, a hosted service for protecting files viewed with Adobe Digital Editions.
• MIDAS, a white-label e-retail solution that allows retailers to sell OverDrive-distributed media under their brand.
• OverDrive Marketplace, formerly known as Content Reserve, a collection development portal.[20] Publishers upload their content to this marketplace and apply DRM settings for protected content. Libraries can then log into OverDrive Marketplace and add content to their virtual branch website. Retailers can also use OverDrive Marketplace to supply their online stores.
• OverDrive Media Console, a proprietary media player for OverDrive-distributed audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video, which is available for the Android, BlackBerry, iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), Kindle, Kobo, Mac, and Windows platforms; on some devices, eBooks can also be downloaded and played in Adobe Digital Editions software. Libraries providing digital media titles to their users can be found through the OverDrive Search portal.
• Private Reserve, a private, online repository for rights-holders to upload, organize, protect and distribute their eBooks, documents and other digital material.

• Next Generation Content Reserve, a streamlined collection-development portal.
• OverDrive APIs, which allows developers to integrate OverDrive content into apps and platforms.
• OverDrive Media Console, enhanced capabilities which enable on-demand access to streaming media.
• OverDrive Media Station, a platform that lets patrons browse their library's digital collection on touchscreen monitors and public Internet workstations.
• OverDrive Read, a browser-based eReading experience.
• OverDrive Listen, a browser-based eListening experience.
• OverDrive App, an App for multiple platforms, including multiple Android, iOS, and Windows 8 phones and tablets. It is free to download and lets one read eBooks, listen to audiobooks and stream video.[21]
• Libby, a free app for Apple iOS, Windows, and Google Android devices. It's used for checking out eBooks and audiobooks from local libraries.[22]
• Sora, a free app for Apple iOS and Google Android devices. It's used for checking out eBooks and audiobooks from school libraries.[23]

OverDrive holds a biennial user group meeting called Digipalooza to train and educate librarians on the download service. Held in Cleveland, Ohio, the event focuses on trends, best practices, and outreach ideas for public library download websites.

At the 2008 Public Library Association National Conference, OverDrive unveiled preliminary plans for the nationally touring Digital Bookmobile.[24] The traveling exhibit is housed inside an 18-wheeler and visits public libraries throughout the OverDrive network. Inside the tractor-trailer, learning stations guide patrons through all aspects of their public library's download service. As of August 2012, OverDrive has hosted more than 500 Digital Bookmobile events at libraries and community centers throughout North America.[25]

In 2011, OverDrive CEO Steve Potash made obvious hints that the Amazon Kindle would join other major eReaders in public libraries as soon as September 2011. In his "Crystal Ball Report", during the final session of OverDrive's July 2011 Digipalooza conference, he hinted at the month of release.[26] On September 21, 2011, OverDrive began supporting Kindle public library book borrowing.

On September 18, 2014, OverDrive debuted International "Read an Ebook" Day, "an annual holiday to celebrate and raise awareness for reading on digital devices". Leading up to and on that day, OverDrive encouraged "readers around the world" to participate "by choosing from millions of free eBooks from their local library or purchasing an eBook from a retailer online". Additionally, throughout the day, OverDrive celebrated "the holiday by giving away tablets and devices every hour on the event website (www.readanebookday.com) and through social media to readers who tell their story of what eBooks mean to them, by using the hashtag #eBookDay on Facebook or Twitter to tell their story, or commenting directly at the event website.

• 3M Library Systems
• Adobe Content Server
• Axis360
• Digital library
• Hoopla (digital media service)
• Kanopy
• Public library
• Publishing

• OverDrive