Going into Digipalooza, what updates are central for OverDrive?

We’re adding functions and fixing pain points to help librarians in their day-to-day on everything from collection development to holds management. Accessibility tools are changing rapidly too. Accessibility on our apps should be a right, not a feature.

What challenges to libraries are most urgent at present?

Libraries and schools face funding uncertainties and content sensitivities in some regions of the country. From a collection development and usage standpoint, I’m trying to help our libraries get the best return on investment. We have to balance cost and privacy too, because there are concerns around controlling apps through gestures, turning on the camera to use the app.

How does OverDrive boost book discoverability?

We analyze a lot of data and are starting to see ways to provide it not only to libraries, about how people engage with the catalog, but to publishers, about how people engage with authors, genres, and series. We’re also exploring ways to ethically use AI, with respect to environmental impact and protecting IP.

How can OverDrive improve lending—for both librarians and patrons?

We don’t set the distribution terms, but we’re constantly advocating for our library partners, talking to publishers, trying to get the most options and best terms. On the technical side, we’re increasing the efficiency of managing holds and suspensions and exposing the back catalog. We’re working to get books in the hands of the people who want them, when they want them.