OverDrive Ad Hoc Committee Resources

Welcome! This committee was created by the MHLS Directors Association on April 20th, 2022.   

Background

Use of e-books and downloadable audiobooks is increasing, and some member libraries are struggling to meet demand in our system as well as lagging behind other regional library systems in building digital collections.

Issue

Current guidelines for purchases are seldom triggered for smaller libraries, for digital or physical materials. Cost-per-circ titles do not build shared collections but do meet the demand for purchasing libraries. Because of nonfiction purchases with Central Library Aid Program funds, this issue spans committees. Input from libraries of various sizes is needed to come up with an equitable, workable strategy.

DA Recommendation

Create an ad hoc committee, with representation across the advisory committees and counties, to develop a recommended strategy, which may include a survey of member library directors, on purchasing standards for both digital and e-resources.

Committee Members

Columbia County 

• Tamara Gaskell, Roeliff Jansen Community Library
• Tobi Farley, Philmont Public Library
• Matthew Pavloff , Kinderhook Memorial Library

Dutchess

• Carol Fortier, Beekman Library
• Carol Bancroft, Clinton Community Library
• Donna Perolli, Dover Plains Library
• Mary DeBellis, LaGrange Association Library 
• Courtney Tsahalis, Millbrook Library
• Daniela Pulice, Pleasant Valley Library

Greene

• Catherine Benson, Heermance Memorial Library
• Jen Grounds,  Heermance Memorial Library
• Caroline Ford, Catskill Public Library

Putnam 

• Stephanie Harrison,  Patterson Library
• Michele, Capozzella, Mahopac Public Library 
• Laura Crisci, Mahopac Public Library 

Ulster 

• Julie Kelsall-Dempsey, Highland Public Library  
• Gillian Murphy, Elting Memorial Library
• Katie Scott-Childress, Rosendale Library

Schedule / Agendas

• Meeting 1 | Friday, August 19 | 1:30-3:30pm | Online: At this meeting MHLS staff will provide baseline info; confirm committee member understandings; and the group will come to agreement on purpose/goals
• Meeting 2 | Tuesday, August 23 | 1:30-3:30pm | Online: This meeting will involve an in-depth conversation about the issues and potential solutions to present to the Directors Association
• Meeting 3 | Tuesday, September 6 | 1:30-3:30pm | Online: TBD

Required Review Items

Please be familiar and ready to speak about all of the items from each category below at the first meeting on August 19th.