OverDrive comes to library

It has been a year of transitions for our eAudiobook services at the library. Historically, we have offered eBooks through CloudLibrary and eAudiobooks through RBDigital, both free services to our patrons through our statewide library network.

Last year, RBDigital made some changes and was no longer available, so our eAudiobook offerings were “dumped” into CloudLibrary. This was not a very satisfactory solution, so Wyoming libraries have been looking at other options.

Enter OverDrive, a digital provider of eBooks and eAudiobooks – several of the larger libraries in Wyoming have been offering Overdrive for some time. With changes during this transition period, it has now become economically possible for Crook County Libraries to offer it to our patrons, thanks to the Crook County Library Foundation. With the “Libby” app and your library card, every county resident can now borrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks through OverDrive.

To get started with OverDrive, simply locate the “Libby” app in the app store on your digital device and download it. Once downloaded search for Crook County Library (Wyoming), enter your library card number and PIN. Call your local library if you don’t know your card number or PIN.

Pandemic and social distancing were the “watch words” this year, causing a dramatic change in the way we provided library services. “Take and Make” kits, socially-distanced events at the park and virtual storytimes took the place of in-library youth programs.

Curbside and home deliveries were the “new normal.” Digital eBooks and eAudiobooks increased in popularity.

Library foot-traffic was significantly reduced, but our libraries in Sundance, Moorcroft and Hulett continued to meet the needs of our patrons: 1643 new items purchased, 50 new library cards issued, 206 interlibrary loads, 134 adult programs, 44 youth programs, summer reading programs; outreach visits to preschools, elementary schools, nursing home and assisted care.

For more information about the library and services provided or for assistance with our new OverDrive service, please contact your local library or Jill Mackey at [email protected].