[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by issybird

I realize this is a hypothetical question, but I'll make a recommendation anyway. I'm assuming that the audio offerings for your OverDrive library/ies are limited. Start a jar for loose change/odd amounts etc. until you've scraped together the $50 required for a paid card to either the Brooklyn Public Library or the Free Library of Philadelphia and for a year you'll be able to access as many audiobooks as you can squeeze in and books you want to listen to, not just ones you've got because they're free or cheap. At that, the price of WhisperSync deals can add up to the required sum fairly rapidly, although I realize you have to listen to something in the meantime!

Originally Posted by Catlady

For audiobooks, the Brooklyn Public Library is a lot better than the Free Library of Philadelphia. I've been extremely disappointed lately with the meager number of Overdrive audiobook acquisitions at FLP; I only renewed my FLP membership because of Hoopla for the occasional audiobook and Freading for e-books. Even for e-books, FLP Overdrive hasn't been great recently; there've been extremely long waiting lists.

Thanks for the information, advice, and recommendations from each of you.

I am very frugal, and a treasure hunter in heart. So, when I found out that there were free audiobooks at NoiseTrade, I was elated--I could start digging and see what kind of treasures that I could find!

However, I don't get audiobooks (or ebooks) just because they are cheap or free. The audiobooks have to have good or better quality in narration and content, but especially in content. Also, they must be on subjects that I'm interested in. But it's not difficult to find those, because I have a very eclectic taste in non-fiction subjects.

I am a library-builder in subjects that I am passionate about and/or are relevant to my profession. I largely do that so that I will have ready access to needed materials when I'm doing research for a project, or just want to know some more about a subject that I've gotten interested in.

I've thought many times, in fact once or twice when I was writing my initial post, above, that I ought to consider (again) borrowing from libraries. Having a wide-ranging interest in subjects, I have no trouble finding something available that I'm interested in. But for some reason I like to own things rather than borrow things. Also, I often want to go back and re-listen to an audiobook, so I find it more convenient just to own, rather than borrow. Nevertheless, the mention that you made of having cards for libraries with large holdings has piqued my interest. I may see, if possible, what they have in their catalogs.

For the benefit of others, there is somewhere on MobileRead a list of libraries, scattered across the United States, that 1) have large holdings, and 2) will issue library cards to non-residents (for a price, of course). I'll try to find it, or someone reading this may know where the list is and be willing to post the location.