Record an audio book for LibriVox

TeenLibrarian@evpl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:11:00 GMT

June is National Audiobook Month and teens at Central Library Teen Zone celebrated by learning how to read and record audiobooks for LibriVox.

The program opened with the sound of an accordion and the voice of Death, the narrator of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. A fine introduction and an example of a well read, expertly produced audiobook.

"Does this worry you?

I urge you -- don't be afraid. I'm nothing if not fair.

-- Of course an introduction. A beginning. Where are my manners?"

The sound fades and I bound onto the scene.

"You just heard a portion of the The Book Thief by Markus Zusak read by Allan Cordune, I say."

In The Book Thief, Liesel steals her first book, The Gravedigger's Handbook, which her foster father uses to lull her to sleep and teach her how to read. When Liesel learns how to read she steals books for fun. Liesel is a book thief. She liberates books from Nazi book burnings and shares them with others enthralling even a Nazi woman with her captivating reading.

We didn't learn how to steal books, but liberate and record books in the public domain. We learned how to read, record, and share our voices with others. It's all very easy, sometimes challenging, but rewarding and fun. You too can volunteer. It's not too late. The volunteers over at the LibriVox forum are anxiously waiting to see what the first book "Evansvillains " (particularly teens) will liberate from the public domain.

The program was eye opening. Teens had an opportunity to practice reading and recording their voice, experiencing the thrill, frustration, and fun. John Martin of the Courier & Press wrote an excellent article - Library session gives teens lessons in creating audiobooks for web.

LibriVox is looking for volunteers to record chapters of books in the public domain and release those audio files back onto the net making them available for free. Yes, free audiobooks. For more information visit LibriVox - http://librivox.org/. Browse the catalog and learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Also, check out YALSA's (Young Adult Library Services Association) Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults for some good books to listen too while travelling, lounging, or simply making moves this summer.

The Book Thief surely won't disappoint. I've also enjoyed on Playaway, Paper Towns by John Green read by Dan John Miller and The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Narrated by Jesse L. Martin. On CD Hero-Type by Barry Lyga read by Jonathan Todd Ross. What's in your CD player or blaring through your earbuds?

Search results matching tags 'teens' and 'courierPress'

Record an audio book for LibriVox