Simplify Overdrive Sync
Simplify the Overdrive integration to eliminate the use of item records, while retaining hold, checkout, patron account sync functionality. This would speed up Overdrive imports and syncs for customers with large collections and remove inaccurate statistics from reports.
Idea Value
When Overdrive integration was developed, having one central source for statistics of physical and digital material was an end goal and integration at the item level was developed. Several years later, econtent collections have ballooned in size and the deep integration has led to lengthy import and sync processes.
Additionally, Overdrive authentication procedures result in inaccurate econtent statistics as some checkouts are never counted while others may be counted multiple times. The goal of delivering a central source for physical and digital statistics is not being met because 1. econtent statistics from Polaris are inaccurate and 2. so many additional non-integrated providers exist.
Updating the integration would reduce the impact on the system resulting in more accurate availability information for patrons. Library staff will continue to use econtent statistics from other providers and will not need to take extra steps to strip out econtent from regular Polaris reports.