Blackstone Audiobooks and OverDrive Announce "Maximum Access" Enabling Multiple, Simultaneous Checkouts of Popular Audio Books

Digital Library Reserve Service Expanded to Meet High Patron Demand for OverDrive Audio Books

OverDrive Inc., a leading digital book vendor to libraries, announced today an innovative audio book service for libraries that ensures that popular audio titles will always be available for download. "Maximum Access" is a new program that is the result of an agreement between OverDrive Digital Library Reserve and Blackstone Audiobooks, one of the nation's leading audio book publishers with over 2,500 spoken word titles.

"Maximum Access provides libraries with as many download copies of popular audio books needed to service the demands of their patrons... simultaneously," stated Claudia Weissman, Director of Business Development for OverDrive Digital Library Reserve. "In response to the overwhelming demand for OverDrive Audio Books, we now offer Maximum Access to audio titles with no limit to the number of annual patron checkouts, with no risk of surcharges and no waitlist. Maximum Access is also available for library consortia and shared digital collections," she added.

OverDrive Audio Books, launched in November 2004, has already earned widespread praise from librarians and growing popularity with patrons coast-to-coast for its selection of popular titles from leading publishers, ease-of-use, high-quality audio and built-in accessibility features for the visually impaired.

King County Library System, Denver Public Library, Cleveland Public Library, Phoenix Public Library, San Jose Public Library, Michigan Library Consortium are live with dozens more scheduled to add OverDrive Audio Books in first quarter 2005.

"We are responding to the request of librarians who want to craft a download audio book program to meet the interests of their patrons and work within their budgets," stated Craig Black, President of Blackstone Audiobooks. "Features include selecting the size of their always available catalog, selection of specific titles, and options to purchase titles that will address the needs of libraries both large and small," he added.

OverDrive Audio Books are providing library patrons, business travelers, students, and readers immediate access to a fast growing catalog of download audio books. The service enables patrons to download and transfer audio material to a vast range of portable devices as well as burn to CD. The program includes titles in dozens of categories and genres and is available now. For more information visit www.dlrinc.com or www.blackstoneaudio.com.

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