15-AUG-2017 - Library Website URLs Update

OverDrive API Partners,

On 12-OCT-2016, OverDrive introduced a new URL syntax for our library websites and began to populate MARC records (field 856) with this new syntax. Beginning on 15-AUG-2017, we will also introduce and exclusively use this new URL syntax in Account and Search API responses. The main drive behind this change is to ensure users are always redirected to the most current version of a library website.

Please note that all existing links (based on the old URL syntax) will still work and automatically redirect to the correct OverDrive website.

Examples

A library's base URL in the previous style: http://tulsa.lib.overdrive.com.
New base library URL syntax: http://link.overdrive.com/?websiteID=167.

A URL to a title's details page in the previous style (base URL + reserveId): http://tulsa.lib.overdrive.com/ContentDetails.htm?id=AF5CAA07-E4D3-4A72-ADE3-644687FEA48E.
New title's details page syntax (base URL + crossRefId/titleId): http://link.overdrive.com/?websiteID=167&titleID=1214960.

Note: Unlike the reserveId, the crossRefId in the new URL syntax cannot be used to request checkouts, holds, etc. 

Learn more

For information on how to use the new URL syntax, construct OverDrive website URLs, and embed samples, see our blog post about the crossRefId.

For information on the release of the new URL syntax in MARC records, see our blog post from 19-SEP-2016.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new URL syntax or the updated API responses, please submit them to our support team through the Developer Portal.

Thanks for being an OverDrive API Partner,

-The OverDrive API Team