V.12152010 | © OverDrive, Inc. 2010 | Page 1 Community Outreach Learn creative techniques for introducing new users to your OverDrive service. We'll showcase

v.12152010 | © OverDrive, Inc. 2010 | Page 1

Community Outreach

Learn creative techniques for introducing new users to your OverDrive service. We'll showcase promotional

ideas from high circulating libraries, plus you'll have a chance to share your own examples.

Contact: [email protected].


Promote your OverDrive Service

As popular as your service is, you're only reaching a small percentage of potential users.

1. Promote online.

2. Promote in the Library.

3. Promote outside the Library.

4. Track a path to success with reports.

5. Stay connected with OverDrive.

6. Try this ...


Online Promotion


Add a web graphic

Your web graphic should be:

1. Easy to locate.

2. 'Above the fold'.

3. A direct link to your Virtual Branch website.

Other options

1. Text links.

2. Spotlight Banners.

85% of visits linked through their homepage.(July 2010)

Source: Content Reserve Traffic Report

85% of visits linked through their homepage.(July 2010)


Christchurch City Libraries (NZ)


Link from your OPAC

53% of visits linked through their Online Catalog.(July 2010)


53% of visits linked through their Online Catalog.(July 2010)


80% of visits linked through their Online Catalog.

(July 2010)Source: Content Reserve Traffic Report

80% of visits linked through their Online Catalog.

(July 2010)Source: Content Reserve Traffic Report

Sacramento Public Library (CA)

Library System of Lancaster County (PA)


Utilize social networking sites

Be where your patrons are online:

Twitter.

Facebook.

YouTube.

Library website blogs.

Idea:

Create a library profile and promote with a link to your OverDrive service!


Ask for title suggestions

Add a 'Suggestion Box' to your Virtual Branch website for users to request their favorite books, authors, and subjects.

How to create a Suggestion Box:

Contact your Project Manager to have a graphic added to your Virtual Branch website.

Create a suggestion form or email address for open ended responses.

Evaluate requests and consider for future purchases.

Suffolk County Public Libraries (NY)


Participate in Community Reserve

OverDrive Community Reserve is a digital resource sharing service that enables participating libraries to upload, protect, and share local content.

Suggested content: Local historical documents, educational materials, locally produced video or music, or anything that will benefit users.

Benefits: Increases the value of your collection. Checkouts count as circulation.

Interested in learning more? Contact your OverDrive project manager.

Upload your own content.Upload your own content.

Music

Video

eBooks

Audio

Add free content from other libraries.Add free content from other libraries.


Palm Beach County Library System (FL)

Host an MP3 player raffle

Energize users with an MP3 player giveaway on your website.

How to offer an MP3 player raffle:

Purchase an MP3 player for the raffle.

Contact Partner Services to request a promotional graphic for your website.

Review the selection instructions, provided by OverDrive.

Contact your Project Manager to post the graphic on your website.

Choose your lucky winner.49% increase in circulation

duringthe first month of the raffle.

Every checkout = a raffle entry!

49% increase in circulation during

the first month of the raffle.Every checkout = a raffle entry!


Promote within the Library


Right materials in the right places

St. Charles City-County Library District (MO)

Work with OverDrive to distribute bookmarks and more at your main library and all branches:

Distribute bookmarks and brochures at checkout.

Pre-package audiobook CD cases with business cards.

Display posters and flyers on bulletin board and in audiobook, music, and video sections.

Hang shelf talkers on audiobook, music, and video shelves or place them as 'table tents' at computer stations.


Beyond marketing materials

Brownsburg Public Library (IN)

High Plains Library District (CO)

Unique Ideas:

Partner with local businesses.

Set up a promotional display.

Set up a 'Gadget Gallery'.

Pioneer Library System (OK)


Library Computers and TV Monitors

Screen savers.

Slideshows. Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System (NY)

Penrith City Libraries (AUS)

Utilize your resources


Utilize your resources

Physical receiptsDelaware County Library System (PA)

Physical receiptsDelaware County Library System (PA)

Magnets on the side of delivery vansDelaware County Library System (PA)

Magnets on the side of delivery vansDelaware County Library System (PA)

Customize email signatureMichigan Library Consortium (MI)

Customize email signatureMichigan Library Consortium (MI)


With OverDrive® Download Station , your library can offer OverDrive downloads inside your library.

Library users can download audiobooks and music right to their device using a self-service software application.

Offer in-library access

Lee County Library System (FL)


Via Email

Send an email to your library's distribution list announcing your OverDrive service.

Offer an opt-in for weekly / monthly updates when new titles, subjects, and formats are added.

On the Phone

Record a script about the benefits of your OverDrive service to play when users call the library and are placed on hold.

Encourage library staff to recommend the OverDrive service to users inquiring about books, music, or video.

Communicate with your users


Organize a User Training Event

Invite users to the library for a demonstration of your OverDrive service.

Invite local media to attend. Email [email protected] to request

OverDrive's Patron Training Template.

Chattahoochee Valley Libraries (GA) Michigan Library Consortium (MI)

Host a patron training


Across Colorado Digital Consortium (CO)

Host other events

Attract new users with a fun & friendly event.

Raffle off an MP3 player.

Conduct demos.

Somerset County Library System (NJ)


Promote outside the Library


Contact your local media

Who to contact:

1. TV Stations.

2. Local Publications.

Newspapers.

Community newsletters.

3. Radio Stations.

4. Local Bloggers.OverDrive can help!

Access our Online Marketing Kit for press release templates and more!

http://overdrive.com/products/dlr/partnerservices.marketingkit.asp.

TIP: Send a press release and follow-up with a phone call.

TIP: Send a press release and follow-up with a phone call.


Examples of successful media coverage

Harris County Public Library (TX)

Press Release (Online / Newspaper)

Nearly 600 checkouts / day.

Shasta Libraries (CA)

Press Release (Online)

Circulation increased by 160 checkouts.


Examples of successful media coverage

Press Release (Newspaper)

Spike in daily circulation.Press Release (TV)

On average the library experiences more than 8,000 checkouts a month.

Las Vegas Clark County Library District (NV)

Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System (NY)


Distribute materials around the community

Where are your patrons? Local gym. Schools. College / University. Community Events.

More ideas … Restaurants. Shops. Salons. Coffee shops.

Suffolk Cooperative (NY)Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Bus StopBus Stop

Listen to Books (PA)

Movie TheaterMovie

Theater

East Baton Rouge Parish Library (LA)

Coffee Shop

Coffee Shop


Unique ideas and partnerships

Pioneer Library System (OK)

Display … at a local mall.

Randwick City Libraries (AUS)

Direct Mailing … to a new retirement community.

This is across from a JCPenney.

This is across from a JCPenney.


Billboards and Outdoor Signage

Pioneer Library System (NY)

South Ayrshire Libraries (UK)

Think BIG


Track a Path to Success with Reports


Need a login for Content Reserve?

Contact the coordinator of the OverDrive service at your library / consortium.

Need a login for Content Reserve?

Contact the coordinator of the OverDrive service at your library / consortium.

Getting started with reports

1. Go to Content Reserve: www.contentreserve.com.

2. Click on the 'Login' tab.

3. Enter your Content Reserve 'Login ID' and 'Password'. This is the same Login ID / Password used to order titles.


Review your Website Traffic

The Traffic Report provides a list of the top URLs that are directing users to your Virtual Branch website.

What you may find:

Library website.

Catalog URL.

Google.

OverDrive.com.


Monitor other useful reports

Activity Chart allows you to view daily or monthly overall circulation statistics.

Quarterly review is recommended to evaluate marketing campaign success.

New Patron Registration Report

tracks new users.

A new patron registration is counted the first time a user logs onto your Virtual Branch website.

More new patron registrations = more checkouts!


OverDrive Dashboard

OverDrive Dashboard

A desktop application that provides quick access to real-time data from your Virtual Branch.

View holds, titles, circulation, and traffic data.

Refresh every 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes.

All areas of your service benefit from instant statistics.


Stay Connected with OverDrive


Digital Library Blog

Bright Ideas for your Virtual Branch!

Share promotional ideas with other OverDrive libraries.

Blog with your Partner Services Representative.

Post a comment or question.

Share a link to an article, video, or photo.

Visit us today:http://overdriveblogs.com/library


Try this …

Reach out to a local business for a partnership.

Hang flyers at a local coffee shop.

Work with your Partner Services Associate to create or update promotional materials.

Add a web graphic to your library's homepage.

Start promoting today!We're here to help!

The OverDrive Partner Services Team


Contact Us

Collection Assistance: [email protected].

Training: [email protected].

Partner Services / Promotion: [email protected].

Support: [email protected].

Support for library staff.

Please do not share this email with users.

Users should contact support via the email link on the main Help Page of your library's Virtual Branch Website.

Plus, connect with us!

Documents

V.12152010 | © OverDrive, Inc. 2010 | Page 1 Community Outreach Learn creative techniques for introducing new users to your OverDrive service. We'll showcase