How To Join

This page contains information about joining the Downloadable Audiobooks and eBooks project.

Here is a brief table of contents for this page:

• Project Vendors
• Joining the Project
• OverDrive Information
• Contact Information

For pricing information, contact the Project Manager, Will Stuivenga.

Project Vendors

The project originally worked with two vendors: NetLibrary and OverDrive. NetLibrary was replaced by Recorded Books RBDigital, which provided the content to NetLibrary. The RBDigital platform was acquired by OverDrive, and all eBook and audiobook content has been migrated to the OverDrive and Libby platforms. Thus, the Recorded Books RBDigital option is no longer available to libraries in Washington State.

• The Recorded Books RBDigital subscription-based collections were originally available to all public, academic, and K-12 libraries in Washington State.
• The OverDrive option is only available to public and tribal libraries serving a population of less than 100,000.
• Eligible public libraries can join the Washington Digital Library Consortium (WDLC) which provides the Washington Anytime Library to its patrons.

Joining the Project

To apply to join the project, please fill out the Intent to Participate Form and return it to the Washington State Library following the instructions on the form.

• Intent to Participate Form

OverDrive Information

Eligible public libraries can join the Washington Digital Library Consortium (WDLC), an existing OverDrive group that was founded by and originally managed by the Whatcom County Library System. This consortium's OverDrive collection is known as the Washington Anytime Library. The management of this consortium was transferred to the Washington State Library as of 2010.

An initial group of 7 public libraries went live at the end of March, 2008. Since 2010, the consortium has been expanded to 45 members. In 2010, the group voted to add eBooks to the collection, and currently features a mix of eBook and eAudiobook content. A magazine subscription collection (formerly from Zinio and RBDigital) will be added to the Anytime Library on a trial basis in 2022.

OverDrive Renewals

For public libraries belonging to the Washington Digital Library Consortium (WDLC), members vote on a budget each year and libraries are subsequently invoiced by the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS). The WDLC Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) presents several possible budget scenarios to the membership for consideration.

OverDrive Pricing

There is a $1500 one-time participation fee for each new library that joins the consortium. Funding permitting, the State Library will subsidize the cost of this fee using federal LSTA funds.

Each library will pay its proportional share of the annual "Application License and Hosting Fee" that the consortium pays to OverDrive. Each library will also make an annual contribution to the collection and to the Added Copy Fund. These costs are divided proportionally among the participating libraries, based on each library's population served, and as derived from the voted budget.

For public libraries interested in joining the Washington Digital Library Consortium (the OverDrive group), contact Will Stuivenga for additional paperwork and requirements. A public library that wishes to join the OverDrive consortium should fill out and return the Downloadable Audiobooks Intent to Participate Form. There will be other documents, including an agreement with OverDrive, and one with the consortium, that the library will also need to sign. These will be made available upon request.

Contact Information

To ask questions or for more information about any aspect of this project, please contact the Project Manager:

Will Stuivenga
Off the Page Project Manager
[email protected]
360.704.5217
Toll free 866.538.4996

OverDrive, Inc.

One OverDrive Way
Cleveland, OH 44125 USA
Phone: +1 (216) 573-6886
Fax: +1 (216) 573-6888

Washington Anytime Library