W&M Libraries is thrilled to announce the launch of our new digital collection of professional development and academic interest ebooks and audiobooks through OverDrive.
Members of the W&M community can easily browse, borrow, and read ebooks or listen to audiobooks 24/7 on their phones, tablets, or computers. Titles are also integrated into the library catalog for ease of discovery.
OverDrive is a platform used by libraries across the country for reading ebooks and audiobooks. For example, the Williamsburg Regional Library uses OverDrive’s Libby app for its collections.
“Since all W&M faculty, staff and students are eligible for library cards at Williamsburg Regional Library, many of our users may already be using their extensive collections through the Libby app,” said Laura Morales, associate dean of collections and content services for W&M Libraries.
“We’ve opted to custom-build our own collections in OverDrive to fulfill the unique needs of our users that are not already being covered by WRL’s collections of popular fiction and high-interest nonfiction materials,” she added.
In alignment with the library’s mission to support lifelong learning by facilitating the ongoing growth and advancement of our students, faculty, and staff, the initial launch includes a professional development ebook and audiobook collection. Whether users are interested in developing leadership and management capabilities, enhancing productivity, or acquiring new teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches, these resources aim to empower W&M community members to progress their careers or take on new challenges. Through this investment in professional development, the libraries also support W&M’s dedication to excellence and innovation in education.
In addition, W&M Libraries has made several open access collections available, including University Presses, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Duke Classics titles. Although many of these titles are available through other platforms, the OverDrive platform offers additional format options such as Kindle.
“By expanding our electronic collections to include OverDrive, we are also taking a step forward in making education more accessible and inclusive for all members of our academic community,” said Morales.
Numerous accessible learning tools are available, including:
- screen reader support,
- adjustable text size and font options including OpenDyslexic font,
- “Read From Here” mode to have the text of an ebook read aloud,
- zoom functionality,
- dark mode support, and more.
These tools ensure that students with different learning styles and needs can access digital content effectively.
W&M Libraries is excited about this new electronic collection and looks forward to seeing how it enhances the academic and professional journeys of W&M community members.