No More Library mp3 audiobooks! - Page 4

Catlady · 11-22-2024, 05:45 PM

I've already had four or five library holds come through since the demise of the mp3 downloads, and canceled all of them. None was a must-read for me--so not worth the hassle of trying to listen on my phone.

It's not fun anymore to check the new audiobook acquisitions, when I won't be able to listen the way I want.

rhyta · 11-23-2024, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I came across something called Libbyfetch that was linked from a Reddit thread, but it uses Python and it's completely baffling to me. I hesitate to include the link, but if you Google Libbyfetch, the Reddit thread with the link will come up.

Today's snail-mail included an Audible offer for an annual membership for $86. With library borrowing now being so screwed up, I am seriously considering it.

I quit Audible about 3 years ago and signed on to LibroFM. They work with Independent bookstores and still allow you to download MP3's to your computer along with an app similar to Libby.

booklover6 · 11-23-2024, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I've already had four or five library holds come through since the demise of the mp3 downloads, and canceled all of them. None was a must-read for me--so not worth the hassle of trying to listen on my phone.

It's not fun anymore to check the new audiobook acquisitions, when I won't be able to listen the way I want.

Same....I got as many of the ones I wanted that I could, before the deadline. But now I just cancel or postpone.

odamizu · 11-23-2024, 04:34 PM

Libby has definitely put a damper on my audiobook listening enjoyment. I am borrowing less and may stop using my library for audiobooks altogether — which hurts libraries since less borrowing means fewer tax dollars allocated to libraries. And, ironically, this all benefits Audible and other booksellers, who will now get more of my money. It's sad.

issybird · 11-24-2024, 12:43 PM

The OverDrive audiobook advantage was twofold: free, obviously, and no DRM. For while there are audiobook purveyors that sell DRM-free audiobooks, the key word there is “sell”. Haven’t got to it yet, but while DRM can be managed (although it’s annoying), there’s really no getting around no longer free. Hoopla also needs an app and I struggle to find anything I’d like to listen to on LibriVox. It’s not the books, it’s the narrators.

And, especially given the direction Amazon’s going with Kindle books, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Audible move to an app-only experience. Which in itself is reason enough to boot me (I hope) into starting to convert my Audible library, at least those books I’d be happy to listen to while swimming.

odamizu · 11-26-2024, 12:50 AM

There may be a smidgeon of hope. Someone who works in a library posted on Reddit: "bit of an insider tip but the library I work for is working with OverDrive to find a workaround to continue MP3 downloads for those who need it!"

JSWolf · 11-26-2024, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

There may be a smidgeon of hope. Someone who works in a library posted on Reddit: "bit of an insider tip but the library I work for is working with OverDrive to find a workaround to continue MP3 downloads for those who need it!"

There is a workaround to download audiobooks from Overdrive/Libby in MP3. I did it yesterday and it works. But I doubt I'm allowed to post the directions here.

I can say this hack works with Firefox. It's not a plugin.

Catlady · 11-26-2024, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is a workaround to download audiobooks from Overdrive/Libby in MP3. I did it yesterday and it works. But I doubt I'm allowed to post the directions here.

I can say this hack works with Firefox. It's not a plugin.

Can you give a better hint? Pretty please?

JSWolf · 11-26-2024, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

Can you give a better hint? Pretty please?

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/...ary_audiobooks

These directions are for Chrome. But the also work in MS Edge and in Firefox.

The MP3 files will not be tagged so if you want them tagged, you'll need to find a program to tag them. I use MP3Tag in Windows.

odamizu · 11-26-2024, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/...ary_audiobooks

These directions are for Chrome. But the also work in MS Edge and in Firefox.

The MP3 files will not be tagged so if you want them tagged, you'll need to find a program to tag them. I use MP3Tag in Windows.

What does it mean exactly "MP3 files will not be tagged"?

And does MP3Tag simply add titles to individual MP3 files? What happens if a single MP3 file contains multiple chapters? Is there a way to mark each chapter within a single MP3 file?

Catlady · 11-26-2024, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/...ary_audiobooks

These directions are for Chrome. But the also work in MS Edge and in Firefox.

The MP3 files will not be tagged so if you want them tagged, you'll need to find a program to tag them. I use MP3Tag in Windows.

Thank you! I had similar instructions from a few years back before the Libby change was postponed, but couldn't get them to work now. I did have trouble with this set of instructions too, but finally got it in Firefox. Still a hassle, but certainly doable! Thanks again!

Catlady · 11-26-2024, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

What does it mean exactly "MP3 files will not be tagged"?

And does MP3Tag simply add titles to individual MP3 files? What happens if a single MP3 file contains multiple chapters? Is there a way to mark each chapter within a single MP3 file?

What you get are the parts, as in the previous Overdrive downloads, but they're labeled with an alphanumeric string, so you'd need to name them Part 1, Part 2, etc. when downloading to organize them.

JSWolf · 11-26-2024, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

What does it mean exactly "MP3 files will not be tagged"?

And does MP3Tag simply add titles to individual MP3 files? What happens if a single MP3 file contains multiple chapters? Is there a way to mark each chapter within a single MP3 file?

Think of it as metadata for your MP3.You would need to have each MP3 split at the chapters and then convert it to a single M4B. I can't say if the Mp3 you get will be split at each chapter.

odamizu · 11-26-2024, 04:56 PM

This is all pretty confusing. I'm hoping the library that's working with OverDrive to find a way to allow mp3 downloads succeeds.

JSWolf · 11-27-2024, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

This is all pretty confusing. I'm hoping the library that's working with OverDrive to find a way to allow mp3 downloads succeeds.

I don't find it confusing. I do find it annoying.

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11-22-2024, 05:45 PM	#46
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,423 Karma: 52734361 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I've already had four or five library holds come through since the demise of the mp3 downloads, and canceled all of them. None was a must-read for me--so not worth the hassle of trying to listen on my phone. It's not fun anymore to check the new audiobook acquisitions, when I won't be able to listen the way I want.

11-23-2024, 04:34 PM	#49
odamizu just an egg Posts: 1,848 Karma: 8006346 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: Kindle, iOS	Libby has definitely put a damper on my audiobook listening enjoyment. I am borrowing less and may stop using my library for audiobooks altogether — which hurts libraries since less borrowing means fewer tax dollars allocated to libraries. And, ironically, this all benefits Audible and other booksellers, who will now get more of my money. It's sad.

11-24-2024, 12:43 PM	#50
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,517 Karma: 236076651 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	The OverDrive audiobook advantage was twofold: free, obviously, and no DRM. For while there are audiobook purveyors that sell DRM-free audiobooks, the key word there is “sell”. Haven’t got to it yet, but while DRM can be managed (although it’s annoying), there’s really no getting around no longer free. Hoopla also needs an app and I struggle to find anything I’d like to listen to on LibriVox. It’s not the books, it’s the narrators. And, especially given the direction Amazon’s going with Kindle books, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Audible move to an app-only experience. Which in itself is reason enough to boot me (I hope) into starting to convert my Audible library, at least those books I’d be happy to listen to while swimming.

11-26-2024, 12:50 AM	#51
odamizu just an egg Posts: 1,848 Karma: 8006346 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: Kindle, iOS	There may be a smidgeon of hope. Someone who works in a library posted on Reddit: "bit of an insider tip but the library I work for is working with OverDrive to find a workaround to continue MP3 downloads for those who need it!"

11-26-2024, 04:56 PM	#59
odamizu just an egg Posts: 1,848 Karma: 8006346 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: Kindle, iOS	This is all pretty confusing. I'm hoping the library that's working with OverDrive to find a way to allow mp3 downloads succeeds.