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Weekly News Digest
December 28, 2009 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. For other up-to-the-minute news, check out ITI’s Twitter account: @ITINewsBreaks. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.

MLC and INCOLSA Members Approve Merger

The members of the Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) and INCOLSA, Inc. approved the merger of the two organizations. Effective Feb. 15, 2010, Randy Dykhuis, MLC executive director, will become the executive director of the new organization, Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS).

"As we move forward as a combined organization, I look forward to continuing the good work that both organizations have done and expanding services in both states," Dykhuis said. "With our combined membership we expect to deliver enhanced savings on services such as group licenses and to expand resource sharing options for residents of both states."

Marnie Maxwell, INCOLSA interim director, said, "We are gratified by the overwhelmingly positive vote from Indiana libraries. MCLS will be a dynamic partnership that will ensure Indiana and Michigan libraries continue to move forward, serving the most people with the best possible library services."

MCLS will have a combined membership of more than 1,300 institutions of all types and sizes. MCLS will be governed by an interim board made up of eight Indiana librarians and eight Michigan librarians until the governing board is elected in fall 2010. The nonprofit membership organization will provide Michigan and Indiana libraries with a convenient, single point of contact for training, group purchasing, and technical support for electronic resources. More information is available at www.mlcnet.org.

Source: MLC and INCOLSA

OverDrive Releases Android Audiobook App

OverDrive, Inc. (www.overdrive.com), a global distributor of audiobooks and ebooks to libraries and retailers, announced the beta release of an audiobook app that enables Android phone and device owners to wirelessly download digital audiobooks. OverDrive's audiobook app for Android is compatible with MP3 audiobooks from more than 10,000 libraries and major online retailers, including BarnesandNoble.com, BooksOnBoard.com, and Borders.com. To download this audiobook app for Android devices, including the DROID by Motorola, visit www.overdrive.com/software/omc. To find libraries offering MP3 audiobooks, visit http://search.overdrive.com.

OverDrive Media Console for Android beta v.0.1 provides the same superior audiobook listening experience as OverDrive's desktop software, which boasts millions of PC and Mac users worldwide. Users can navigate downloaded parts using MediaMarker, create bookmarks, and resume from the last point played. Audiobooks from the public library automatically expire in the app, so there is never a late fee.

OverDrive provides download services for thousands of libraries, retailers, and schools worldwide with support for PC, Mac, and Sony Reader, as well as the largest collection of iPod-compatible audiobooks for libraries. OverDrive also operates the Digital Bookmobile (www.digitalbookmobile.com), a high-tech 18-wheeler traveling North America on behalf of public libraries to raise awareness about free library downloads.

Source: OverDrive, Inc.

Selected Content From West Now Available as PDF Downloads

Content from close to 500 law publications from West is now available for purchase as downloadable PDF files on the West website (http://tinyurl.com/westpdf). The PDF products provide immediate access to popular American Law Reports (ALR) entries and sections from Aspatore Books and Andrews Publications. The PDF products focus on some of the practice areas that legal professionals are working in most, including litigation, criminal law, bankruptcy, civil procedure, and real estate.

Downloadable chapters from the Aspatore titles showcase advice from top business executives and attorneys. The Andrews content, through Andrews Litigation Reporters, addresses trends in litigation. And ALR provides articles that evaluate cases and give comprehensive analysis of legal issues.

Prices for the PDF content range from $10 to $54 and are available as immediate downloads.

"These products provide a new way for our customers to access specific information in our publications and receive immediate access," said Toni Kasparek, senior director of ecommerce, West. "The PDF products join our existing West line of books, CDs, Westlaw, and other digital content available on the West website, all aimed at helping legal professionals practice law more effectively."

West is a business within Thomson Reuters (www.thomsonreuters.com). For more information, visit www.west.thomson.com.

Source: Thomson Reuters