Our downloadable audio book program is still very new and some of us are still figuring it out, or haven’t set aside the time to do so. Apparently, we are not alone, as Jessamyn West at librarian.net notes. This Saturday, visit the Madison Library at 11 am and see how the process of downloading an audio book using Overdrive works. I’ll try to answer any questions, and there will be an MP-3 player to show how to move files from the computer to the device, and we’ll burn some CDs, too. My experience is that once you’ve gone through the process of downloading an audio book file and moving it so you can play it on your preferred device (CD player or MP-3 player), it makes a lot more sense. Much like getting your pictures off a digital camera, there’s a learning curve. One important detail for MP-3 users: be sure to check out the list of compatible MP-3 players.
This program is costing the library (through taxes) $200 this year and gives people willing and able to use a computer to get their audios access to hundreds of titles. By contrast, $200 will purchase 8 to 10 audio books on CD that can be checked out. We are still buying CD audios for people who prefer that format, but we obviously can’t match the number of titles we have access to through the NH Audio Books program. Since the program started in February, 17 people have registered for the downloadable audio book program, and 19 audios have been checked out.
If you’re a frequent audio book listener, please come to Saturday’s training session, feel free to ask lots of questions, borrow our MP-3 player, burn some CDs. All of these things can be done at the library on the library’s computers.
And yes, we all wish this downloadable audio program worked on iPods. If you’re an iPod user interested in having access to downloadable audio books from the library, please let me know. If there’s enough interest and we can find a reasonably-priced program, we’ll try to budget for it next year.