-----Original Message-----
From: James Jackson Sanborn [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 3:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Announcing new platform for Maine InfoNet Download Library

3M) will host the Download Library’s eBook and Audiobook platform beginning *March 1, 2017*.



Maine InfoNet and the Maine InfoNet Board are continuously looking for opportunities to provide better services at a better value for Maine libraries. In the last six months, the Board has engaged in active consideration of potentially switching from Overdrive to Bibliotheca due to the understanding of the superior nature of Bibliotheca’s eBook and Audiobook platform.  A face-to-face meeting with Bibliotheca, a robust opportunity to test and use the Bibliotheca cloud platform, and a detailed user-impact survey have influenced this consideration. A decision was made at the September 2016 Maine InfoNet Board meeting to switch from the Overdrive platform to the Bibliotheca platform at the start of the next library subscription cycle.



What does this mean to you and to your library users? Switching from Overdrive to Bibliotheca’s Cloud-based Platform will ensure the following
enhancements:



·         *Ease of Use*: the Bibliotheca product is much easier to use than
the Overdrive product, and this translates to a more satisfying user experience.

·         *School Library Participation*: School libraries will be able to
participate and there will be no restrictions as to their membership.

·         *Greater Opportunities to Share Collections*: Bibliotheca offers
a similar product to Overdrive Advantage, which they call Private Cloud.
Libraries who utilize Bibliotheca’s Private Cloud will have the capability to share their Private Cloud collections with other libraries if they so choose.

·         *More Collection Items*: Maine InfoNet will be able to invest in
more collection materials due to Bibliotheca platform savings.



During the next few months, Maine InfoNet will provide detailed information about

the migration of the platforms and will provide all the necessary guidance to your

library during the migration.



A detailed FAQ will be developed soon that will help answer all your questions about what this migration will mean for you, your library, and your library's patrons.



Representatives from Bibliotheca will host a session from 1:00 to 1:50 pm on Monday, November 14 at this year’s Maine Library Association Annual Conference being held at Sunday River.  Those attending the conference should be sure to see the Cloud Platform in action!




_____________________________
James M Jackson Sanborn
Executive Director, Maine InfoNet
5784 York Village, Suite 58
Orono, Maine 04469-5784
207-581-3083 (office)
207-866-0240 (cell)
207-581-3095 (fax)
james.jacksonsanborn@m <[log in to unmask]>ainei
<[log in to unmask]>nfonet.org