In order to meet an increased resident demand for eBooks and eAudiobooks, the Sterling Heights Public Library has been approved to move $20,000 from its existing print resources budget to its OverDrive service.
Overdrive is the main vendor the Library uses for its eBook and eAudiobook collections.
“Even before the COVID-19 crisis, we were already seeing more residents shifting to the digital platform,” said Tammy Turgeon, Library Director. “Now that the pandemic has temporarily closed the Library building, we have been promoting our digital resources as an alternative to our currently inaccessible print collections. This has created an even greater need to provide additional digital services to residents that are staying at home.”
Residents can access the Library’s existing digital collection by visiting the Library’s website at shpl.net (select Services and Online Resources) or by downloading the following apps:
- Libby - select Midwest Collaborative for Library Services and select Sterling Heights Public Library.
- Hoopla - digital audiobooks, videos, music albums and comics
- RBDigital - digital magazines and audiobooks
Residents can receive a library card within 24 hours by applying online at shpl.net (select “Using My Card” and then “Get a Library Card”).
The Library is an original member of the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services’ OverDrive Group since its inception in 2006. The MCLS OverDrive Group uses the collective purchasing power of its 20 member libraries to purchase software for accessing digital materials, along with eBooks and eAudiobooks for distribution to library membership throughout the Midwest.
The Library has annually purchased additional eBooks and eAudiobooks to supplement its collection using discount pricing negotiated by the MCLS OverDrive Group. The Library’s investment in this service over the past 14 years has provided library patrons with access to more than 110,000 eBook and eAudiobook downloads.
“Each year, the Library budget includes funding for the purchase of all types of books,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “Although we are now allocating more funding to eBooks and eAudiobooks based on the demand from our residents, we want to assure our community that additional print books will still be purchased when the Library is able to resume normal operations.”