The days where bookworms have to go to physical libraries are long gone. Today, avid readers across the country can easily borrow eBooks and audiobooks from local libraries without leaving their homes. Authors often wonder where to start when trying to get libraries to carry or purchase their eBooks. For many authors, getting their ebooks and audiobooks on to the digital shelves of libraries starts by creating a simple account on OverDrive, which acts as a distributor of ebooks to libraries.
What is OverDrive?
OverDrive for readers
OverDrive is one of the most popular digital reading platforms in the US that offer access to hundreds of thousands of titles ranging from children’s books to New York Times bestsellers to college textbooks. OverDrive and its variety of apps allow you to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from libraries and enjoy them on your across all your devices. In fact, OverDrive offers 3 unique apps to meet every reader’s specific needs:
- Libby. Libby was designed after receiving feedback from hundreds of users and librarians across the US. This service is meant to help readers of all ages find content and start reading quickly.
- Sora. The Sora app is specifically designed with modern students in mind. From elementary-aged children to high schoolers, Sora makes learning and reading more fun and engaging for all learners. The app connects students with teacher-assigned readings, school libraries, as well as content for leisure reading outside of class.
- OverDrive. The OverDrive app is the original app that initially paved the way for borrowing digital content from libraries. Libby is the updated version of OverDrive that’s recommended for most users, but OverDrive is still a great resource for visually impaired readers or multilingual users.
Borrowing content using OverDrive’s services is as easy as downloading the right app for you and following the on-screen instructions. For more in-depth information, you can check out our guide here.
OverDrive for authors and publishers
OverDrive is a global leader for digital distribution of eBooks and audiobooks to libraries in dozens of countries. The expansive company promises to drive sales for publishers by promoting their content across several online platforms. Publishers have 24/7 access to dashboards that track their book sales, alerting them of new potential opportunities and helping them target different audiences.
Benefits of distributing your eBook to libraries via OverDrive
The benefits of making your book available on OverDrive are 1) distribution into the US library system, 2) some income, and 3) exposure to more readers and potential fans. People who may not have purchased your book on the Kindle store, for example, might borrow it through their library instead. This can open the door to more sales for your subsequent releases!
On the other hand, if most new readers only borrow your content via libraries, this might actually cut into your Kindle sales. More exposure for your book will only work if you have a marketing strategy that will encourage people to buy it later or (at the very least) write a review.
How authors and publishers list books on OverDrive
OverDrive has a designated section on its website for publishers to learn more about the service and how to get started. If you’re an independent author hoping to get listed on OverDrive, you can try to apply directly, but you’re more likely to be accepted if you go through a publisher or work with an aggregator.
To list your digital content with OverDrive, follow these steps:
- Fill out an OverDrive Connect account application.
- Agree to OverDrive’s Terms of Service.
- Wait for your application to be approved.
- If you’re accepted, you’ll be sent instructions for activating your account and providing your content to OverDrive.
- After your content is ready to go, you can start selling through OverDrive’s multi-platform distribution network!
What does OverDrive pay authors?
We estimate that as an independent author, you might make $12-$20 per book sold to libraries via OverDrive. But that payout figure might change.
During the 2020 pandemic, digital content borrowed through libraries soared, much to the horror of the so-called “Big 5” publishers. These major publishers, which include recognizable names like Macmillan and Penguin Random House, feared that the rise of digitally-accessible content would hurt book sales overall. Due to these concerns, there remains an ongoing battle between publishers and libraries when it comes to:
- How much libraries should pay per title
- How many times a title can be read within a certain timeframe
- Whether the title needs to be repurchased after a certain amount of time
Although OverDrive uses a perpetual license model — meaning that a title only needs to be purchased once, no matter how many times it’s borrowed or how long it’s been in circulation — this is subject to change.
Additionally, trying to narrow down an average payout for OverDrive authors is incredibly difficult. There are too many variables that can impact an author’s income, such as the popularity of their titles, their marketing strategies, whether or not the book is available in other languages, and other influential factors.
Other companies thar distribute eBooks to libraries
While OverDrive and Libby are two of the most well-known apps among readers, publishers and authors can also try selling their content to libraries through these other companies:
- hoopla. This company says that it’s “like having your public library at your fingertips,” no matter where you are. Along with eBooks and audiobooks, hoopla offers TV shows, comic books, and music for users to enjoy for free. If you want to learn more or submit your content, check out their publishers page
- Bibliotheca. This company is “creating the library of tomorrow” by integrating modern digital technologies with libraries around the world. It mostly works directly with librarians and museums, but you can find out more about the service by filling out this brief contact form.
