A.C.T. Education and Training Directorate chooses OverDrive eBooks from Softlink

A.C.T. Education and Training Directorate (ACT ETD) has partnered with Softlink to deliver OverDrive eBooks and Audiobooks to the 88 schools within the Directorate.

ACT ETD has selected OverDrive to integrate with the Directorate’s knowledge and library management solution, Oliver to create a best in breed digital asset discovery and delivery solution.

OverDrive is the world’s most popular platform for digital content lending for schools. It is distributed in Australia by Softlink, the developer of leading knowledge, content and library management solutions for education.

Mr Mark Huxley (CIO of ACT ETD) revealed how OverDrive would support the Directorate’s digital initiatives and National Curriculum.

“We are excited about delivering OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks for learning at school, home and anywhere, anytime on modern digital devices,” he said.

“OverDrive will enable ACT ETD to provide students with on-demand access to eBooks, audiobooks, music and videos across a full range of subjects and from a range of 2,500 publishers.”

“We are committed to the continual development of digital innovations that support student and academic achievement,” he said.

“With technology in education changing at such a rapid rate, schools require scalable technologies that can meet today’s requirements and tomorrow’s emerging needs.”

“OverDrive was selected for its’ deep integration with Oliver, innovative user features, large selection of titles and the ability to offer both a centralized and distributed resource collection.” The project to implement Oliver across the Directorate was completed in December 2011.”

“The integration between Oliver and OverDrive will enable our school communities (students, teachers and parents) 24/7 access to library resources and learning materials at their own convenience.”

Mr Mark Huxley said Softlink and the ACT ETD have worked collaboratively for the past few years. “Softlink has been very responsive in supporting the Directorate’s needs and we look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial partnership into the future,” he said.

Mr Hillary Noye, Softlink’s Asia-Pacfic Customer Relationship Director, said ACT ETD was an early adopter of leading technology to support their school network.

“Recent studies, including Softlink’s 2013 Australian School Library Survey, demonstrate a positive link between access to eResources and literacy levels,” he said.

“OverDrive helps schools to encourage reading through the ability to set age-appropriate reading lists or lists based on ATOS level, Lexile measure and student interest level.”

“OverDrive eResources are available for use on iPad, iPhone, Android, Chrome Books and many other devices as well as offer browser-based reading through any device with an internet connection.”

Mr Noye said that Softlink was pleased to partner with ACT ETD to meet the Directorate’s digital resource management goals.

ACT ETD anticipates deploying OverDrive throughout the schools in June 2014.

Schools interested in offering students OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks should visit Softlink at www.softlinkint.com.