@mttaggart So, I actually worked at OverDrive when the KKR acquisition happened. KKR is mostly leaving them alone and letting them do their own thing. OverDrive makes them money and that makes them happy. I don't think I can say much more than that...
I definitely think the removal of the "Recommend to Library" feature was a blunder and they kept saying there would be something to replace it. that hasn't happened yet obviously.
IMO the biggest danger to ebooks at public libraries are publishers who insist on ridiculous lending models, followed closely by OD's ability to remove features, promise something is coming to replace it, and then not doing it.
KKR is way down the list of threats.
@robotfactory @mttaggart They always leave these things alone... At first.
Ultimately it will be rendered a shambling, cannibalistic husk, the zombie version of its former self, until all joy and life has been drained out of its users.
The article is right to warn us-- Chokepoint capitalism wants libraries EXTINCT. Just like the post office, socialized health care, and, you know, the PLANET.
@mttaggart Phew, this reply is making the rounds.
First, I'd like to say that I'm not defending OverDrive here, but I'm also not dragging them. At least I'm not dragging them about *this*. I'm definitely not defending KKR.
I worked at OverDrive for about 3.5 years from 2019 to early this year. I left for really frustrating reasons unrelated to this.
I had a great experience working there. I grew a lot there both professionally and personally. I worked with a lot of smart nerds who are really passionate about what they do and really believe in the company's mission to make the world a better place through reading.
That being said, like any company in our dumpster fire of a world, OD is not without problems. I know most of the people at OD want to do the right thing but all-consuming capitalism and our bonkers political climate are making that incredibly difficult.
I really do wish my former colleagues the best. However, company leadership let me down, personally, when I needed them most.
KKR & Co Inc <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/KKR.N" target="_blank">(KKR.N)</a> is in advanced talks to acquire book publisher Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/PARA.O" target="_blank">(PARA.O)</a> for $1.65 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
@mttaggart The app does still work because there's still money for KKR to suck out. And some of the user friendly functionality is already limited. They are very well known among venture capitalist firms. I think the case of Toys R Us is very telling of their modus operandi
I don't see it happening soon, but another service needs to be developed to compete with Overdrive
@mttaggart If you haven't, check out the Palace Project. Library centered non-profit working on delivering ebooks to the people. Fewer books so far, but good.
Libraries are palaces for the people Drawing on the long tradition of libraries as the center of citizenship and engagement, The Palace Project name was chosen to highlight the central role of libraries in public life and the idea of public libraries as “Palaces of the People”. The goal of The Palace Project, a new
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