OverDrive, the largest commercial provider of ebooks and other digital content to libraries, issued a surprise announcement on December 24 about a pending change in its ownership. Library technology expert Marshall Breeding explains what this sale means for libraries.
Long story short, OverDrive--public libraries’ leading provider of ebooks and digital audiobooks--is being purchased by the same company that owns RB Digital, another major audiobook platform. Given the hostility of some publishers towards library lending (Google “Macmillain ebook embargo”), a consolidation of the two platforms could benefit libraries because Overdrive “has a strong record of advocating for library interests” and merging with RB Digital “could add substantial clout to library interests in negotiating more favorable pricing and terms.”
