Downloadable Audiobooks

Our library has been marketing downloadable audiobooks for several years. We have enjoyed CTLS' NetLibrary consortium. We have had only limited success getting our patrons to use the service. I feel that things are changing for the better. We've recently had several individuals ask for information abouthte NetLibrary program. Here are our major concerns with the NetLibrary eAudiobooks.

1. Right now most of the interest is coming not from those who are technologically savy, but from individuals who have relatively little knowledge of the technology. It is very difficult to get individuals prepared for NetLibrary since every player seems to work differently.
2. Individuals who are using downloadable audiobooks in area tend to like Audible better.
3. Right now most people still have iPods. I keep hearing the NetLibrary is working with Apple, but I never hear that anything is actually happening to allow iPod users to use NetLibrary.

On the other, more positive hand ...

1. NetLibrary is affordable.
2. Once you start using it, it is relatively easy.
3. The collection is sizable if not necesarily the "best."

I was very impressed with the Libravox site. I searched for Jane Austens and could certainly see downloading it. I would also be interested in volunteering to read for the project. I wold especially like to do children's books if I can find stories that are in the public domain. Our storytime parents would love to be able to download books read with our voices. The children are used to them.

Our library also circulates MP3 players. This has not been a particularly well utilized service because most people who are familiar with the techonology already have their own and those unfamiliar with the technology are reticent to check them out. Now we even download the NetLibrary eAudiobooks for them. We also have car adapters available.

I would like to mention that some MP3 players such as some Sansa's are not great for library use. The downloadable audiobooks HAVE to be removed from those players by connecting to the same computer from which the title was downloaded. Consequently, we have players on which patrons have downloaded eAudiobooks form home. Those eAudiobooks can only be removed form those players if the patron remembers to remove them.