Bright, beautiful June. Summer is almost here, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and…
It’s Audiobook Month!!!
Not your first guess?
Folks may not realize it, but cassettes, compact discs, and other recording/replaying devices have their origins in Thomas Edison’s phonograph. In the June 1878 issue of North American Review, among the potential uses for his invention, he lists: “Phonographic books, which will speak to blind people without effort on their part.”
It was with the advent of 60-minute cassette tapes in the 1970s, and then CDs, that audiobooks truly gained popularity with the listening public.
Audiobooks can be read in a wide variety of situations you might not read a conventional book — while taking a walk; riding in the car; doing chores; and even while showering!
Today there are a variety of ways to listen to your favorite book. Audiobooks are still available as CDs.
If CDs are not an option for you, Playaway devices are available. Playaways are pocket-sized audio players you can listen to with headphones or through your car’s auxiliary port.
Library services like Hoopla and OverDrive/Libby offer eAudiobooks that can be downloaded to your devices and streamed through your car stereo. Titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period.
With the Hoopla app, library cardholders can stream titles through desktop browsers or Hoopla’s mobile app. If you use the mobile app, you may also download titles to your Apple, Android, or Kindle device for offline playback later, when Wi-Fi may be unavailable.
The original OverDrive app is compatible with a variety of devices, including Kindle Fire and Window mobile devices. It also allows for transfer to e-readers and MP3 players from computers. Libby is compatible with Android and iOS devices, and can be used in browsers on computers and tablets. Libby is great if you just want to download a book to your Android or iOS phone or tablet.
With all these choices, why wait? Visit your nearest EVPL location or our website at evpl.org & click on “collections,” and enjoy the wonderful world of audiobooks!
