CLAMS OverDrive Training

Elieen from CLAMS will be here at DPL on Tuesday, January 11, at 10 am to conduct an OverDrive training. This training will be on the REGULAR Overdrive software, and NOT the OverDrive Download Station that we have at the library (though both Eileen and I will be on hand to answer any questions about that).

OverDrive has changed a bit from when we first signed up for it, and with the recent explosion in E-book reader sales, it is becoming a tool that is being used more and more for both audio books and E-books. This training will allow you to be able to answer patron questions about how to download these books onto their devices AT HOME.

Kathy, it would be helpful if you could possibly arrange to have some extra volunteers here that morning, as the training is expected to last 1.5 - 2 hours.

I am asking that EVERYONE attend the training - if you are not already working, you can take comp or be paid, your choice.

However, since I know that the time may be difficult for some, the following is a list of other area libraries doing the training as well. If you cannot attend ours, please choose one of the other ones and let me know which one.

Wellfleet Public Library:   Wednesday December 22 at 9 AM

Brewster Ladies Library" Wednesday December 29th at 8 AM

Dennis Public Library: Tuesday January 11th at 10 AM

West Falmouth Pubic Library: Thursday January 20th at 10 AM

Orleans (Snow Library): Tuesday January 25th at 2 PM

I expect that many people will be getting e-readers and Mp3 players for the holidays, and we are likely to see an increase in people wanting to download media. While it will normally fall to reference to help these patrons, I would like all staff to be familiar with the process and be able to answer patron questions if needed.

Questions, please ask.

Thanks!

OVERDRIVE Digital Audio Training

Seems like all of a sudden, there have been a lot of OVERDRIVE questions from patrons. This is good, means more people are accessing the service (which isn't cheap). Because some of you ahve had questions of your own, I am posting the link to the PDF Slide Show training from OverDrive.

http://www.clamsnet.org/staff/new/OverDrive/DL101_v01152008.pdf

If you are NOT currently logged in to the Clams Staff Page, when you click or access this link, a box will pop up wanting the login info:

clamsstaff
mammoth

This is a LONG training. You navigate through it by using the forward and backward buttons in the top menu bar, as it is set-up as a slide show. While I am happy to answer whatever questions I can, I STRONGLY suggest that you look at the training at home, and then install the software and DOWNLOAD A TITLE for yourself. Like anything, you won't really have an understanding of this until you try it a few times. Also, I found the training really easy, but then when I did it myself, I had a couple of questions that I just had to figure out on my own.

If you would like something a bit shorter and WITH audio, you should check out the OverDrive Tour at http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/tour/
This tour is on the OverDrive page, and is available to patrons. Patrons with many questions should start there.

Also, there is a list of Problems and Solutions that may not be addressed in the OverDrive Help section. The list can be found on the ClAMS Staff pages

http://www.clamsnet.org/staff/new/OverDrive/overdrive_problems_solutions.html

and I have printed out a copy for Reference and Circ.

FYI -
The loan period for OverDrive material is 7 days, and then the material automatically disappears from the media console. Audio that is transfered to a personal Mp3 player stays there until it is deleted by the borrower.

A patron may have 5 items "out" at a time.

Hopefully this helps!