ROCHESTER, MN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/07/06 -- Today Rochester Public Library became one of the first libraries in the nation and the first in Minnesota to offer free downloads of copy protected movies, music videos and music. The Collection includes classic American films such as "Farewell to Arms" starring Gary Cooper, International films such as Russia's "Battleship Potemkin," action films such as "Assault on Precinct 13" and music videos such as "Cream: Farewell Concert." The library's new eMedia collection also includes downloadable music, audio books and eBooks all available at your fingertips at http://digital.rochesterpubliclibrary.org.

With a Rochester Public Library card, a PC and high-speed access to the internet, patrons can download a movie to their Windows-based PC, notebook, or portable media player. The titles are copy protected using Microsoft Windows Media Rights Manager that restrict file sharing and rights to view the movie after the lending period is over. A user never needs to return a download movie as they automatically reset themselves in the library catalog when due. Rochester Public Library has provided similar download services for OverDrive Audio Books and eBooks since July 2005.

"The Rochester Public Library's eMedia collection is an innovative online digital collection that offers 24/7 convenient online access to eBooks, audio books, music, and video for use on PCs as well as compatible PDAs, WMA/MP3 players and even a growing list of mobile phones," stated Carrie Farrow, Communications Manager for Rochester Public Library. "All of these collections are new. We expect to add many more titles in the near future," Ms. Farrow added. Rochester Public Library joins a few select major library systems offering the convenience of these materials and formats.

Rochester Public Library has been recognized as a technology leader in the past. Today it is being recognized as a technology leader, not only in Minnesota, but for the nation, as it adds download video and music to its online library services to patrons.

The new service was developed by OverDrive, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio who is expanding its digital media catalog of over 100,000 eBooks, audiobooks, and music CDs with OverDrive Video, digital versions of feature films, movie classics, concerts, educational materials, and TV shows. Download video can be watched on Windows PCs and portable devices that support protected Windows Media video (.wmv) including the Creative Labs Zen Vision, Pocket PCs from Dell, Toshiba and HP, and Smartphones.

Media Contact:

Carrie Farrow
Communications Manager
507-287-2626
Email Contact

Kim Edson
Head of Readers Services
507-285-8018
Email Contact