NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation's public librarians gather for the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference in Nashville, OverDrive announced its "Vision 2030." This multi-year initiative will build on the success librarians are experiencing using digital books and mobile apps to reach and provide access to all parts of the community including underserved segments to help bridge the digital divide. In the OverDrive Booth #823 at the PLA Conference, OverDrive will provide detail on Vision 2030 and the key components designed to target 100 million new readers. In addition, public librarians will present how their libraries are currently using digital books and OverDrive technologies to achieve these goals.
Why Vision 2030?
Books and reading improve lives, and our nation's libraries play a crucial role in supporting literacy and reading. Yet nearly half of all Americans do not possess a library card. According to Pew Research, 96% of US adults have a cell phone, which provides an immediate opportunity for libraries to introduce their services to tens of millions of new users to their online and other essential programs.
As part of OverDrive's social mission to create "a world enlightened by reading," the company has partnered with libraries to reach tens of millions of readers since Cleveland Public Library launched the first popular ebook lending service in 2003. As part of this mission, in partnership with the American Library Association, OverDrive has been the primary sponsor for the Libraries Transform initiative since 2015 and continues to advocate for library funding and equity issues as well as to educate publishers and authors on the benefits of fair and flexible content lending models.
"Our vision for this decade is to leverage the proven success of how libraries can be more relevant and meaningful in the lives of all citizens in every community," said Steve Potash, founder and CEO of OverDrive. "For 2020 and beyond we are prioritizing services that will enable libraries to attract, engage, and best serve the next 100 million readers who have yet to discover and embrace their library by 2030."
Vision 2030 campaigns include:
To learn more about Vision 2030 and these user acquisition initiatives, visit the OverDrive booth #823 at PLA Conference and company.overdrive.com/. Presentations include "School-Library OverDrive Lending: A Collaborative Approach" (Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Alabama) and "Public Library and School Collaboration – Increasing Juvenile/YA Access Through Sharing" (San Antonio Public Library).
About OverDrive
OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. We strive to create "a world enlightened by reading" by delivering the industry's largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 45,000 libraries and schools in 78 countries. Our popular reading apps provide best-in-class user experience and tools for staff management: the Libby app for libraries is one of PCMag's Best Free Software of 2019 and Popular Mechanics' 20 Best Apps of the 2010s, while the student reading app Sora is one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2019. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and was named a Certified B Corp in 2017. www.overdrive.com
Contact:
David Burleigh
OverDrive
Director of Brand Marketing & Communication
dburleigh@overdrive.com
SOURCE OverDrive