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The Kitchen Table

Free audio book downloads from your library

15 years ago

I've mentioned this subject before, but thought it was worth bringing up again for those who might not have seen it the first time.

My library offers audio books online that can be downloaded to an MP3 player (not iPods, though). I believe this is a state initiative that my local library hooks into. The selection of books is much larger than what's available at the library, and you can even renew them online.

I've downloaded quite a few audio books. Right now I'm enjoying working my way through the JD Robb "in Death" series of mysteries. With a $10 cassette adapter from Walmart, I can play them through my car stereo.

I don't imagine Pennsylvania is the only state library to offer this service.

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Comments (10)

liz
15 years ago
glad you're enjoying the JD Robb series...I just finished the last one...I'm old school...just like having a book in my hand! I do love it that I can logon and reserve books from my library...I woulda never gotten the newest Robb book otherwise!
alisande
Original Author
15 years ago
I like books in my hand, too (which is good, since I work in a library), but I'm in the car for 1.5 hours every work day, and listening to a book makes the drive more pleasant. We don't get much talk radio around here. I love music, but sometimes I like to listen to something that engages my interest.
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I use Audible for audiobooks i cant borrow from our local library. I'm satisfied with the quantity and quality of the selections, but don't like having to buy a month-to-month plan. (You don't *have* to, but books are 2-3X more expensive otherwise. But I listen to audiobooks when I walk, so I figure it's worthwhile for me. Every once in awhile, I'll put my subscription on hold to catch up with listening. Ebooks I get from Amazon, usually.
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Check your library. It is possible they have the capacity to download books. The Utah State Library offers two sites for downloading books. All will download to your pc. Most can be burned to a cd or copied to an mp3 player. A small but growing number can be copied to your iPod. Utah's audio books comes from NetLibrary and and Overdrve. Lori
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Monica, you said exactly what I was thinking! I had no idea that anyone had to pay a yearly fee for a library card. We pay $1 to get a card, but that is a one-time fee only. I now feel privileged. I do not have an e-reader, but use Overdrive to download audio books from our library system. I do see that they have a huge library of mobi and epub books, though. Until very recently we were also able to access the library systems of another area in our state for MP3, WMA, mobi and epub books as well. They cut us off just this year because they have determined that our county library system is large enough to be independent. Boo hoo.
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I use my iTouch and iPad with the Kindle app. I have other eReader apps (OverDrive) that are compatible with my libraries eBooks. I think this is what Kindle will use? If it like what I currently use - you can't just go get the book you want immediately. There are a limited number of "copies" available. You put your name on the list for when that title is available. Then you can download it when it is. It is on your device for a limited amount of time before it expires (plenty of time to get it read). If the book is not a currently popular book, you may not have to wait at all, but if it is a best seller - plan on waiting a while for it.
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lindyluwho
15 years ago
DD has been downloading children's literature to her Ipod for Erica (4 y/o) to listen to and Erica loves it. I think some came from her library and there are some site online that have free downloads. There are some others that charge a fee.

Linda
lisa_fla
15 years ago
They offer it here in Orlando, plus free delivery of library books!
gwanny2three
15 years ago
I wish I could pay attention to one. I find myself drifting off and not listening after awhile. I love to have the book in my hand also. Sure would be nice though to have it read to me...just too many distractions for me. I do love to read though......
User
15 years ago
I love audiobooks, thats all I listen to in the car. I joined the paperback swap and get my audiobooks free (except for postage) Come join, get your books, tapes, cd's & dvds free.

Here is a link that might be useful: PBSwap
iowagirl2006
15 years ago
They have that at our library. Same thing with it not working on iPods - and some certain types of MP3 players - which included mine, dang it! It had to do with digital media rights and some types of players.

I think they may have changed things since I last tried though - might even work on iPods now.

Ours is called WILBOR
LorifromUtah
15 years ago
My library offers this service through the Utah State Library.
It's very popular.

I think your library needs to update information available to you as one can download titles to an iPod. Each week more titles are added to the list.

Lori
teresava
15 years ago
I would love to download mine to an iPod when I am walking.

When I first got out of college I had a job where I scanned documents a good portion of the day. I got so good at it that I barely had to pay attention and could listen to Books on Tape. I used to go to the library each weekend and stock up on them! It was GREAT!
alisande
Original Author
15 years ago
My library just redid the whole website, adding a video to show people how to do the download. It explains that the system won't work with iPods because the books are Windows Media files.

My DS gave me a new mp3 player as a Christmas gift, one with a larger capacity. It's rechargeable. However, a charge won't last the length of a book, and when I plug it back in to the USB hub to charge it, the book reverts to the beginning. So I'm back to using my first mp3 player, which runs on a battery and works just fine.

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