Ohio Library Expands eBook Collection

With librarians already hampered by tight budgets, adding an eBook collection may not be at the top of their lists. But the Ohio eBook Project, a new program launched by the State Library of Ohio, will allow libraries across the state to access hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks for patrons—all by pledging just one percent of their A/V and print budgets.

The program is funded by $28,000 in start-up money from the State Library, which also pays $1,000 in maintenance fees to OverDrive, a digital book vendor that supplies the software and materials for the collection. “We wanted to make it affordable for small libraries to join,” says Rebecca Felkner, project leader at the State Library of Ohio. “That’s why we paid the large creation fee and the monthly maintenance.” So far, the eBook Project has attracted 16 members, including school and public libraries.

Accessing eBooks is easier than going to the library. Patrons with library cards simply go online to “check out” digital files of books for free, and when the eBook is due, the file can no longer be opened.

While just one school library has joined so far, Felkner says more will be eligible during the open enrollment period later this year. Membership includes a one-time $1,500 fee. Since most of OverDrive’s current collection is geared toward adults and teens, it plans to add more children’s books.