| | |
| | Libraries go digital |
|---|
Wouldn't it be great if you could visit a library and borrow a book without physically having to go to the library?
Well, now you can!
Public libraries in the USA are leading the way. They are allowing members to download audio books from their collection online. This enables people to listen to their audio book from personal computers or portable audio book players such as PDA's and MP3's so they do not have to leave their home or office.
Titles that are available range from fictional novels, written by best-selling authors, to tutorials and reference books, making books in this age of "not enough time" more accessible than ever.
What better way for libraries to stay needed and relevant in the digital age than this.
With the popularity of the internet growing and growing, libraries are finding it hard to keep their memberships up as people are able to find the information they need on the internet. As for novels, as stated before, who has time to spend hours at a time reading one??
The director of Guilderland Public Library, Barbara Nichols Randal, was asked what prompted this development. She explained that they had to take into account the needs of their younger readers and those too busy to physically get to a library, within opening hours.
Having the books available online, essentially means the library is open 24/7.
To access these databases you still need to be a member. Some libraries offer a free trial membership, othershave a nominal join up fee.
Just keep in mind that while some libraries allow you to copy the audio book files to your PC to burn to CD or copy onto MP3, others only allow you to access the files while online, so it may pay to shop around before you join a library online. |
| |
| | |
