Enhancements in Artificial Intelligence capabilities introduced by Overdrive Libby

New Feature "Inspire Me" Launches on OverDrive Libby for Book Discovery

OverDrive, a leading digital reading platform, has introduced a new feature called "Inspire Me" to aid book discovery within local library collections. This innovative addition to OverDrive Libby is designed to make the process of finding new reads smarter, more intuitive, and easier for readers.

According to Jen Leitman, OverDrive's Chief Marketing Officer, Inspire Me helps patrons dive deeper into the incredible catalogues their local libraries have curated. The feature prioritizes titles that are immediately available to borrow, allowing readers to start their newly discovered titles right away.

Upon first use, patrons will see a clear explanation of how recommendations are generated. They can explore books through guided discovery prompts called "inspirations" and/or based on their previously saved titles in Libby.

To access the Inspire Me feature, users simply need to click the Libby icon in the centre of the menu at the bottom of the app. When a user taps an inspiration, Libby surfaces five relevant titles from their library's digital collection, each accompanied by a brief explanation of how the book matches the inspiration.

Ryan Fish, EVP of Product Management, stated that Inspire Me complements librarian-led discovery by helping make those existing collections easier to explore. The feature is designed to make discovering new reads easier and more engaging.

Instead of prioritizing generalized recommendations, Inspire Me is built upon each library's unique digital collection. This ensures that readers are presented with a personalized and diverse range of books to choose from.

It's important to note that the rollout of the Inspire Me feature is currently underway, and patrons can access it in September. OverDrive has also provided links to Libby's privacy, content rights, and environmental impact statements to ensure transparency and trust.

Inspire Me integrates responsible AI to support book discovery, but it's not intended to replace human insight. The goal is to make the process of finding new books more efficient, allowing readers to spend less time searching and more time reading.

In a nutshell, Inspire Me is a valuable addition to OverDrive Libby that promises to make book discovery a more enjoyable and engaging experience for readers.