OverDrive – ‘libraries can create new readers’

In the lead-up to the 2025 ABIAs, Books+Publishing is in conversation with the event’s major sponsors about the status of the industry, what excites them about the future, and what they have to offer publishers, booksellers and readers. Malcolm O’Brien, regional manager at OverDrive for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, spoke with the publication.

This segment is supported by the event sponsors. 

Tell us about your company. What do you most want booksellers and publishers to know about what you do?

OverDrive provides digital content to Australian and New Zealand public libraries, schools, universities, and corporate and government libraries. This includes ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and streaming video. Patrons access content via the Libby and Sora apps.

What’s your top piece of actionable advice for folks working in publishing and/or bookselling?

Different types of libraries need different digital lending models to function successfully. If you want to sell more digital content to libraries, you should talk to us.

Tell us an interesting fact that book industry folks don’t know about your company.

There is a common misconception that libraries take sales away from traditional book retailers. In fact, figures show that libraries can create new readers for authors and actually help increase sales.

What do you think is the role of libraries within the Australian literary scene, and how does OverDrive fit into this picture?

Libraries have always been a key part of the industry, and as digital access demand grows, OverDrive has become the biggest digital library supplier in the world. Having your books available on OverDrive Marketplace leads to new sales and promotional opportunities worldwide.

Thinking of the last few years in publishing and bookselling, what has excited or interested you the most?

The recent explosion in romantasy and other closely related genres has encouraged a new demographic to buy and borrow more books.

What do you think is the state of the book industry right now? If you could name one factor that most underpins this impression, what would it be?

The book industry now competes directly with all other forms of entertainment and information. Reaching your potential market has never been harder, and the industry is looking for new ways to reach consumers. Digital access via a library is one of those new ways.

If you could change one thing about the industry at a systemic level, what would it be?

The perception that libraries are the enemy of the industry – i.e., that they give books away for free. Libraries have always paid normal market prices for content and can play a huge role in creating new readers and promoting new and existing authors at a very low cost.

What do you think the next five years hold for the book industry in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand?

Consolidation by large publishers into even larger companies has always created room underneath for independent publishing to grow. I expect to see more of this, and think it will lead to more diversity and more opportunities for new authors.

And a bonus (optional) question – what book from Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand have you most recently enjoyed?

In the last year, I think Juice by Tim Winton. Arguably his best and most timely book in years.

The Australian Book Industry Awards are presented for achievements in bringing Australian books to readers. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary.

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Category: ABIA