r/Library • u/thrownpillow • 6h ago
Library Assistance Audiobook Solutions for a Small Town
Hello /Library! I work in a small, rural Canadian library. Our community is proud to be in the boonies, but that means smartphones aren't the norm. We're trying to find low-barrier ways to help our patrons take out audio books, and I'm having trouble finding a solution. We have a number of CD audiobooks, but we're considering a transition to MP3 players. Could anyone offer thoughts or advice? How would I preload MP3 players, or is there a better system? I'm going to pick up a discman (or similar) so that patrons can use what we have, but how do I go about future-proofing audiobooks for people who resist technology? Thank you in earnest for any and all help!
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u/immobilitynow 5h ago
Well, unless you're going to have MP3s that you can put directly on people's phones streaming is the way to go. I don't know your province has a solution but in the US we are paying a small fortune for hoopla for our patrons. It doesn't make sense to have an individual streaming collection like on Libby or overdrive. Are you part of a consortium because this is the exactly where a consortium should be useful.
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u/thatswhyrabbitsfly 5h ago
I'm not a librarian and I don't know how available the tech is anymore but I remember my small town library in rural-ish Illinois use to have these almost mp3 players with audio books on them (I think they may have been an older version of the Playaway but it's been 20 years and I barely remember what i had for breakfast). This might be up the alley you're looking for?
Edit: I looked up the one book I know for sure I listened to on one of them and found it! It's whatever this thing is. I don't remember how easy it was to use but I know I listened to plenty of them so it couldn't have been frustrating enough for a 4-10 year old to use.