Self-publishing giant Smashwords has partnered with library eBook distribution company OverDrive to make 200,000 self-published titles available in public libraries.
Through the partnership, the Smashwords collection will be available in libraries around the globe. Participating authors span genres and include: Amy Miles, Brian S. Pratt, Chanda Hahn, Colleen Hoover, GJ Walker-Smith, Jamie McGuire, JD Nixon, Kirsty Moseley, Kristen Ashley, Lauren Blakely, Melody Grace, Natasha Preston, Quinn Loftis, R.L. Mathewson, Randolph Lalonde, Shayne Parkinson and T C Southwell.
Rather than having to go through the collection on an author-by-author basis, libraries will be given the option to purchase the complete Smashwords catalog. They can select the top 100, 500 or 1,000 bestselling books. In addition, Smashwords will curated shopping lists by genre.
Readers will be able to borrow one copy of each eBook an unlimited number of times. In addition, there will be an option for readers to buy the eBook from their local library through OverDrive’s “Buy It Now” feature.