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Download Movies Now Available From Public Library Website

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 March 2006, 09:00 CST

As public librarians gather in Boston this week for their national conference they will be viewing a new service for download video. Today Denver Public Library became the first library in the nation to offer free downloads of copy protected movies, TV shows, and educational videos. Films available include Academy Award nominated IMAX Movie "The Living Sea" narrated by Meryl Streep featuring songs and music by Sting; Federico Fellini's Academy Award winner "8 1/2" starring Marcello Mastroianni; travelogue "Yellowstone National Park"; self-help titles including "Meditation for Beginners"; and cult-classics such as the surfing film "The Endless Summer" are just a few of the titles available at http://downloadmedia.denverlibrary.org.

"We are investing in the future of audiovisual materials and responding to the growing online and connected capabilities of our customers," stated Michelle Jeske, Manager of Web Information Services for Denver Public Library. "Downloadable video gives our patrons 24/7 online access to exceptional films and allows the Denver Public Library to have this type of format without the space, handling, and damage issues normally associated with DVDs or tapes," Ms. Jeske added.

The new service was developed by OverDrive, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio who is expanding its digital media catalog of over 100,000 eBooks, audiobooks, and music CDs with OverDrive Video, digital versions of feature films, movie classics, concerts, educational materials, and TV shows. With OverDrive Video a user downloads a movie to their Windows-based PC, notebook, or portable media player. The titles are copy protected using Microsoft Windows Media Rights Manager that restricts file sharing and rights to view the movie after the lending period is over. A user never needs to return an OverDrive Video as they automatically reset themselves in the library catalog when due. Denver Public Library and thousands of US and foreign libraries are using similar download services for OverDrive Audio Books and eBooks.

Initial movie and video suppliers working with OverDrive and the libraries include leading independent home entertainment company Egami Media, a subsidiary of Image Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: DISK); Sounds True, award-winning producer of spiritual, health, and healing videos; Clearvue & SVE, with a vast catalog of educational multimedia; and family and teen titles from TOPICS Entertainment. OverDrive is in negotiations with A&E Home Video for rights to distribute hundreds of their award-winning programs including titles from "The History Channel,""Biography,""America's Castles,""Modern Marvels,""Mysteries of the Bible," and the "The Real West." OverDrive is also in negotiations with A&E's exclusive home video distributor, New Video, for rights to distribute Docurama, New Video's line of award-winning documentaries and festival winners such as D.A. Pennebaker's classic film on Bob Dylan, "Don't Look Back."

"We are very proud to be partnering with public librarians to help develop the future for delivery and enjoyment of download movies and video," stated Steven Potash, OverDrive CEO. "Public libraries have always been the leaders in introducing new services for providing reading, audio, and video content to the community. They are experts in serving the information and entertainment interests and needs of patrons of all ages," Mr. Potash added.

Download video from the library can be watched on Windows PCs and portable devices that support protected Windows Media video (.wmv) including the Creative Labs Zen Vision, Pocket PCs from Dell, Toshiba and HP, and Smartphones. OverDrive Video on the PC uses a free Windows software program entitled OverDrive Media Console that provides download, library services, and intuitive DVD-like controls such as fast-forward, speed, bookmarks, and accessibility features for the visually impaired. The service and software are not compatible with Mac or iPod. For more information about OverDrive Video please see www.overdrive.com.

 Media Contacts:  For Denver Public Library: Celeste Jackson (Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=0290C47D1546D66D) (720) 865-2044  For OverDrive, Inc.: Loree Potash (Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=0F9042DB94AB5647) 216 573-6886 x202  

SOURCE: OverDrive, Inc.

Source: MARKET WIRE

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