Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance
Public Library Participation
Idaho Public Libraries with existing OverDrive access can gain access to and borrow items from the IDEA collection through a Reciprocal Lending Agreement (RLA). There is no additional cost to all parties. This reciprocity allows patrons of each library/consortium access to all Overdrive collections in the alliance. Each library/consortium can choose which lending models they wish to include in the reciprocity. The only required lending model is one copy/one user. Any of the four metered access (MA) options can be included or excluded. Simultaneous use and titles purchased under an Advantage plan can not be shared. Libraries/Consortia may prioritize holds for their patrons ensuring they receive items before other alliance patrons.
To participate in RLA and join the alliance, please complete an RLA Enrollment Form for your OverDrive library/consortium and email it to OverDrive Account Manager Rob Rando (rrando@overdrive.com). When sending in your form, please be sure in the body of your email to indicate if you wish to prioritize holds on your library’s titles for your library’s patrons, as this option is not on the current RLA agreement.
Once the agreement is in place, OverDrive will make the IDEA collection available to customers of the public library via their normal access points- the OverDrive website, OverDrive app, and Libby app.
Idaho Public Libraries without OverDrive service are encouraged to start an OverDrive collection or join an existing OverDrive Consortium to leverage buying power. We are currently aware of two Overdrive Consortia that are accepting new members: The Idaho Digital Consortium and the LIBRI Consortium.
Public Libraries are also encouraged to offer their OverDrive collection at no additional cost to students in their services areas by signing a Public Library Connect agreement (PLC) with the school district. This agreement can be signed at no additional cost to all parties and allows public library titles to be used by students without a public library card via the Sora app. Authentication happens through school’s Student Information System so student privacy is maintained.
To get started, contact Dylan Baker or Tammy Hawley-House.
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School Library Participation at the District Level
Students may obtain access to and borrow items from the IDEA collection at the school district level via the Sora app. There are no initial or ongoing costs to school districts. Authentication happens through a district’s Student Information System (SIS). OverDrive does not collect data or have students create accounts. Through the authentication process, student data is protected and students will not need a special library card to check out materials.
Please choose one of two ways to get this collection into the hands of students:
- If your school district already has OverDrive access via the Sora app, complete the Participating School Consent Form to connect to the ICfL IDEA collection. This form should be emailed to connect@overdrive.com or returned by fax to 216-573-6889.
- School districts in Idaho without OverDrive access should begin by signing up for the free Sora Starter platform via Overdrive’s Activation Form. When completing this online form, make note of a check box to OPT-OUT of Public Library Connect. As long as you do not OPT-OUT, connection to the IDEA collection will be included as part of the setup and authentication process.
Once your form is submitted to OverDrive, you will receive an email indicating that your school has been connected to the SORA app. At this point your students will have access to the free SORA starter collection of about 400 titles, or titles purchased directly by your school, if any. (This step is taking 2-3 weeks for new SORA users). Later, you will receive a second email indicating that your school is connected to the IDEA collection. Once you have received this second notification, each student will need to add the “IDEA by ICfL” collection to their Sora app. They will then be able to check out titles.
Local public library collections might also be available to students via the Sora app if the public library has signed agreements in place with OverDrive, or if a student has a public library card.
Contact Dylan Baker or Tammy Hawley-House with questions.
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Idahoans Without a Public Library
If you are one of 280,000 Idahoans who lives outside of a public library service area, you may access the IDEA collection by contacting Dylan Baker or Tammy Hawley-House.
FUNDING PARTNERS
This program is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
For more information on the IDEA project in Idaho, please contact Dylan Baker at dylan.baker@libraries.idaho.gov or Tammy Hawley-House at tammy.hawleyhouse@libraries.idaho.gov at the Idaho Commission for Libraries, 208.334.2150
