Is Your Library Ready for Digital Audio Books?
Shannon W. Behrhorst
In the past few years libraries have become more familiar with emerging technologies their patrons use daily. We see patrons with cell phones that take pictures, small flash drives hang from user's key chains, PDAs and Blackberries are a familiar site and MP3 players, such as iPods, dangle from patron's necks. Just as patrons adapt new technologies to their own lifestyles, libraries are incorporating these changes into their own programs, services and collections.
Many libraries are making a new format available, the electronic or digital audio book. The digital audio book is really not so different than conventional audio books many libraries currently provide. The digital audio book has the same content, but is provided in a different package. Most digital audio books are merely computer files that can be downloaded to a computer or other electronic device for a patron to use. Unlike individual discs or cassettes, digital audio book files don't take up shelf space, can't be lost or damaged, and since they check themselves back in automatically the library never needs to worry about overdue material.
Typically, digital audio books are purchased individually or provided by subscription to a library. In most cases libraries will need to provide patrons with access to digital audio books via their web site. Libraries may choose to further enhance access to digital audio books by adding records for the books to their local online catalog. This allows patrons to discover digital audio book editions of titles in the same manner they might discover print or online editions. When a patron identifies a book they would like to listen to they check-out the audio book and follow instructions to download the electronic file to their computer or small portable electronic device such as a MP3 player. Some vendors allow the file to be transferred to a CD as well as portable devices. The digital file remains on a user's computer or portable device for a predetermined amount of time then checks itself back in without assistance from the user or library staff. The downloaded file then becomes unusable.
Another benefit of the digital audio book format is availability. Digital audio books are available for library customers any time of the day or week and patrons do not need to be physically at the library to enjoy to the service, they can check out the material while connected via the Internet.
In addition to greater access digital audio books can also be used by print-impaired customers and for this reason a number of statewide talking book programs have taken advantage of the new technology. The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Program began a pilot in September of 2005 to test the accessibility of digital audio books with patrons in fifteen states. Dave Oertli, Director of Nebraska's Talking Book and Braille Service, reports that by 2008 the National Library Service will begin moving away from their traditional model of audio cassette books to talking books on flash memory. Talking Book patrons of the future will have a digital player provided for them or may choose to download books to their own computers.
Of course, even newer digital audio book formats are being developed. Another new, soon-to-be-released, service provides a “self-playing digital audio book.” Rather than a patron needing to download an audio book file to a computer or other device the digital content comes pre-loaded on a small player. There is no need for the patron to own a portable device or go through the steps of downloading the content. The all-in-one digital audio book portable players can fit in a person's pocket. This model may provide a way to fill the needs of those patrons not wanting to bother with an Internet connection, computer or other small devices. It may also help those that can't use the current digital audio book technology because of format compatibility or operating system issues.
A couple of libraries in Nebraska are already offering digital audio books in their communities. Omaha Public Library began providing digital audio books in early 2005. They are currently offering digital audiobooks from two different vendors. Lori Rader, Information Desk Manager, says the patrons “really appreciate having the service and being able to do it from home is just wonderful.”
The John A. Stahl Public Library in West Point is also providing digital audio book technology to their community. Not only does this public library provide a digital audio book subscription service to their patrons they also provide a number of portable devices for their patrons to check out as well. Mary Jo Mack, Director of the library says, “More and more people are signing up for it.” According to Mack library staff currently load several digital audio books on one device and then check out the device to a patron. This way patrons that may not have purchased a small player for themselves can both enjoy the audiobooks they love and learn about new technologies.
If your library is interested in learning more about digital audiobooks take a look at the following article posted in late September on Web Junction. “E-Books and Audio E-Books: An Introduction,” by Beth Filar Williams, Lori Bell and the Web Junction Tech Watch Committee, delves into issues libraries need to consider when purchasing digital audio books such as library policies and concerns. Included at the end of the article is a list of digital audio book vendors and a link to a digital audio book mailing list for library staff to discuss the technology and how it is being used in their libraries. <http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11505>
