Connect, Click & Listen - eAudiobooks @ your library

By Betsy O'Neil, Reference Librarian

September 20, 2006

Would you be surprised if your public library could brighten up your shopping experience, make your cross-country flight quicker, or entertain your kids on a long road trip?  Many library patrons have already discovered how audiobooks allow them to keep their minds active while going about daily tasks.  Natrona County Public Library is now offering an even easier way to enjoy audiobooks wherever you go.

Through the “Downloadable Audiobooks” links on our website, you can find a virtual library of interesting titles anytime of the night or day, and download them, free of charge, to your home computer. After transferring the file to a portable listening device, you can listen to your eAudiobook (electronic recorded book) while you work out at the gym, run an errand to the store, plant a garden, or sew a quilt. You no longer need to carry around bulky tapes or CDs – some portable listening devices are as small as a pack of gum!

Over 1,300 different eAudiobook titles are available to Wyoming residents from home or the library, and you can check out up to 10 titles at a time. Your eAudiobooks check out for 21 days, with one renewal for an additional 21 days. This emerging technology allows simultaneous use – so there is never a wait for the book you want!  Also, because the license expires after 21 days, there will never be late fees.

Here’s how it works: Using a high speed or dial-up Internet connection, the books quickly download to your computer.  You can listen to them from your computer or synchronize to a variety of portable listening devices, including MP3 players, pocket PCs, and even some smartphone devices (Sorry, iPod users, but iPod does not support this file type).

To begin, go to the Natrona County Public Library’s website at: www.natronacountylibrary.org and click on the link at the bottom of the page called “Getting Started.” This webpage will give you detailed information about system requirements and downloading instructions. One important requirement to keep in mind is that your desktop, laptop or portable device needs to support Microsoft Windows Media Player version 9 or above.

The NetLibrary database includes a growing collection of over 1,300 unabridged titles, with works from bestselling authors including Nevada Barr, Dan Brown, Pat Conroy, Patricia Cornwell, Carl Hiassen, Alexander McCall Smith, Elizabeth Peters, and many more. Approximately 30 new titles are added to the database each month, providing a continuous flow of new items to satisfy every taste. The collection also includes nonfiction favorites such as the Pimsleur Language Series, allowing you to learn a new language “on the go.”

If you have questions about the database or would like to schedule a personal appointment to learn to use NetLibrary, please call 237-4935 ext. 2 and let our friendly staff assist you.

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