SYRACUSE, N.Y., October 24, 2013 – Polaris Library Systems announces a new partnership with OverDrive to offer libraries another integrated e-content solution within the library catalog.
Polaris Library Systems, a trusted provider of technology solutions for academic, private and public libraries, will employ OverDrive's Discovery APIs and Circulation APIs (application programming interfaces) to create a more desirable, seamless patron experience for libraries with an OverDrive e-content subscription.
"Libraries continually evolve to meet the needs of patrons in the digital age, so having integrated e-content solutions is important as Polaris looks to the future," said Jim Mieczkowski, vice president of product development, Polaris Library Systems. "Many of our customers already have an e-content subscription from OverDrive, so we are very pleased to offer this integration for both the library catalog and mobile PAC."
As a result of this integration, libraries with an OverDrive e-content subscription will significantly improve their patron experience; allowing patrons to browse both physical and digital collections simultaneously, without having to leave the library catalog. With nearly one million digital titles from OverDrive, patrons will have the opportunity to view all available formats for a given title in a single search, including print, e-books, DVDs and audiobooks.
"As a supporter of the ReadersFirst Initiative, our goal is to provide libraries with an exceptional e-content experience," said Bill Schickling, president and CEO, Polaris Library Systems. "Customer-driven requests play an integral role in the products we develop, the services we offer and the vendors we align with. As we've done with other e-content vendors, we look forward to building upon our partnership with OverDrive to deliver a much anticipated integration that will benefit many of our mutual customers."
An integrated partnership with OverDrive will provide Polaris customers with greater functionality in their library catalog, including the ability to:
- Access catalog metadata
- See what digital materials are available, in real time
- Check out items
- Place items on hold
Patrons will also be able to access their OverDrive account from within the catalog and see digital items alongside the physical items they have checked out in their library account.
"OverDrive is committed to helping libraries deliver digital media to their patrons by making the library collections convenient to discover and access," said Shannon Lichty, director of library partner services, OverDrive. "The OverDrive APIs are designed to create new channels of discovery and delivery of digital media for libraries, and we are excited to work with Polaris to create this new value for our shared library partners."
The integration between Polaris and OverDrive will be available in Q1 of 2014. For more information on the partnership and how it will impact current Polaris customers who also work with OverDrive, contact customersales@polarislibrary.com.
About Polaris Library Systems
Polaris Library Systems is a leading library automation software company, earning the highest customer satisfaction ratings by focusing on one goal: helping librarians serve their communities. Established in 2003, Polaris Library Systems provides academic, private and public libraries with an integrated library system that boosts productivity, improves patron satisfaction and transforms how libraries connect, communicate and collaborate with their communities in the modern world. For more information, visit www.polarislibrary.com.