Library facilitated models for Digital audiobooks

Library facilitated models:

1. audible.com
   Memorial Hall Library (Andover, MA) - patrons can borrow one of 40 MP3 players loaded with digital audio books, or bring in their own iPod or select model of MP3 player and have digital audiobooks loaded! MHL primarily uses as their vendor.
   • www.mhl.org/catalog/collections/eaudio is - Main site for patrons.
   • www.mhl.org/catalog/collections/eaudio/librarians.htm - For Librarians, links to other libraries also providing this service, their policies, technical issues and tips.
2. NetLibrary/Recorded Books
   See related article about the Boxford Town Library
   • Boxford Town Library www.boxfordtownlib.org/ - coming soon!
   • Wheeler Memorial Library (Orange, MA) www.orangelib.org/readers/audiobooks.htm
3. OverDrive
   Vendor allows remote downloads from a website to a patron's own computer. Also offers music and video collections. Once downloaded, the file can then be loaded onto an MP3 player (not iPod) and most can be burned to CD-ROM.
   • Boston Public Library: overdrive.bpl.org
   • C/W Mars Library Network (Shrewsbury, MA): digitalbooks.cwmars.org
   • SAILS Library Network (Middleboro, MA): sails.lib.overdrive.com/
   • Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), Andover MA: coming soon in 2006!
4. iPod Shuffle projects
   Wilbraham Public Library (MA) iPod Shuffle Project - "The library has purchased five iPod Shuffles to circulate with audiobook content." www.wilbrahamlibrary.org/news&events/ipod/index.htm
   • South Huntington Library (Long Island, NY) offers iTunes music on their iPod Shuffles. These are the folks who got lots of positive press offering digital audiobooks on iPod Shuffles earlier this year. An audio report is available at National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation, March 3, 2005 www.npr.org/.
   • Music on iPod: shpl.suffolk.lib.ny.us/ipod/musiclist.asp
   • Books on iPod: shpl.suffolk.lib.ny.us/ipod/booklist.asp
5. Playaway - www.playawaydigital.com
   An all-in-one digital audiobook. The player is preloaded with one audiobook and encased in book's dust jacket, it's like a little plastic book! The audiobook is not transferable, cannot be erased, nor can anything be added to the player. Pricing is about $35 plus per device. Can be purchased with library-specific packaging which includes a video-tape sized container, it includes the player, headphones and battery.
   • How it works: www.playawaydigital.com/whatisit/how_flash.aspx/
   • Current Title List: store.playawaydigital.com/
   NMRLS member libraries loaning the Playaway (April 2006)
   • Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library
   • Memorial Hall Library, Andover

Consumer options for Digital Audiobooks - places to let your patrons know about!

1. Apple iTunes - Download iTunes, click on Music Store, click on Audiobooks. Most Audiobooks provided by Audible.com, but iTunes has some exclusive audiobooks too, most famously, the Harry Potter series! www.apple.com/itunes
2. audible.com - Offers it's own digital format that can be played on iPods and select MP3 players. Its online digital bookstore is also available through Apple iTunes. Once you've created an account, you can buy books, magazines, podcasts, and MP3 players. audible.com
3. Playaway (www.playawaydigital.com) - the all-in-one digital audiobook, available at major office-supply stores and bookstore chains, more information above.
4. Project Gutenberg - FREE DOWNLOADS! - public domain audiobooks read and created by volunteers. Their mission is simple, "to encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks."
   • Audio Book, human-read: www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1
   • Audio Book, computer-generated: www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/2
   More digital media information online at: www.nmrls.org/ce/digitalmedia.htm