Public Library Audiobooks

[tubemonkey]

Public Library Audiobooks -- updated xxx

Public Libraries are a great source for "free" audiobooks. OverDrive is the primary source for audiobooks, but there are other sources. More and more, libraries are either supplementing their collections with these other sources or relying on them completely. OverDrive is by far the best and has the most extensive collection; but unfortunately, they're also the most expensive. That expense is the reason many libraries are seeking other alternatives.

If you need help setting up an account with your library, borrowing books, or you have any other library related questions, please ask.


Public Libraries

• Hoopla
  
• OverDrive
  
• cloudLibrary

Key Topics

• Non-Resident Library Cards
  
• OverDrive Comes to Chromebooks
  
• OverDrive Moves to MP3 for Audiobooks
  
• Public Libraries & Digital Services
  
• Reciprocal Borrowing
  
• Sources for Public Libraries
  
• Top 20 Audiobook Libraries
  
• Wiki: eBook Lending Libraries

Public Library Audiobooks (≤ 30,000+ titles) --> Format (varies)

• Non-Resident Library Cards
• Sources for Public Libraries
• Top 20 Audiobook Libraries

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[DaleDe]

There is also a library list in our wiki. EBook Lending Libraries. Most of the libraries listed also have audio books.

Dale

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

There is also a library list in our wiki. EBook Lending Libraries. Most of the libraries listed also have audio books.

Dale

Thanks. I need to explore the Wiki for audiobook related topics and link them to this forum.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks. I need to explore the Wiki for audiobook related topics and link them to this forum.

There is a category called category:audio that should have most of them but not this one.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

There is a category called category:audio that should have most of them but not this one.

Thanks; I added that link to my list of things to do.

[tubemonkey]

This is OverDrive's original blog posting from 22 Jan 2014. Even though it's old news, it's still an unresolved issue. Hopefully, they've made major progress.

UPDATED: OverDrive announces plan for audiobooks to be solely available in MP3 format

At ALA Midwinter Meeting this weekend, OverDrive will be announcing to library partners that over the coming months, we will take steps to discontinue the sale of audiobooks in the WMA format. With the largest collection of audiobooks from leading publishers in MP3 format for schools and libraries, OverDrive will soon make this the only file format offered for OverDrive digital audiobooks.

We will soon be communicating the discontinuance of WMA sales, and then at a future date, we will announce when MP3 files will be the only supported format through OverDrive platforms. For libraries and schools that currently have WMA audiobook files in their collection, we will be working with the publishers of those titles to gain permissions to update your inventory to MP3. In the event that some titles are unavailable, an alternate solution will be offered to make up for the lost titles. Be on the lookout for announcements on our blog and from your Collection Development Specialist for a timeline of this process.

Here's the thread we were discussing this issue in:

• Overdrive moves to MP3 for audiobooks - drops DRM

[tubemonkey]

One of my libraries just discontinued one of their audiobook sources. Luckily, it wasn't OverDrive. It looks like they're replacing it with Hoopla.

Dear OneClickDigital Subscriber,

After Sept. 30, 2014, the library is discontinuing OneClickDigital and you will no longer have access to e-books or audiobooks in your account. We apologize for the inconvenience.

• Immediately search for e-books and audiobooks in the OverDrive catalog.
• As of Oct. 1, 2014, find audiobooks in the Hoopla catalog.

I don't consider it a loss, since I never used it. I prefer OverDrive. I've used Hoopla from another library to listen to some Twilight Zone radio plays. I'll have to check out the offerings from this library to see what they have.


edit: further reading shows that this library and one other one also dropped Axis 360 as a source for ebooks. No direct replacement for this service. OverDrive will continue to be available.
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[issybird]

My two good elibraries (Boston & Philly) have Hoopla, my two lousy ones don't. I've signed up, but have yet to try the offerings.

I like the iOS OverDrive app and was startled recently to discover that the Android OverDrive app (I wanted to listen on my Nexus) doesn't offer the speedplay option that I have on my iPod Touch. Am I missing something? I think almost every listen can benefit from being bumped up a bit. For some, it's the only saving grace!

[tubemonkey]

Reciprocal Borrowing

Many libraries have reciprocal borrowing agreements that allow patrons of one library system to get free library cards from other library systems. The benefits of having multiple library cards are expanded selections and potentially shorter wait times. Visit your library to see if they offer this service. This information is usually found in the section on how to get a library card.
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[tubemonkey]

I just updated the Top 20 Audiobook Libraries. Due to the removal of all WMA audiobooks by OverDrive, most of these libraries lost titles from their catalogs.
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[tubemonkey]

Sources for Public Libraries

• 3M Cloud Library
• Acoustik
• Axis 360
• EBSCOhost
• Hoopla
• OneClick Digital
• OverDrive

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[booklover6]

I've just discovered Hoopla (via FLP) and I am so excited. It has many, many books that I want to listen to that I could never find on Overdrive!

[tubemonkey]

I updated the stats for the top public libraries based on their OverDrive collections:

• Top Public Libraries - Audiobooks
• Top Public Libraries - eBooks

[tubemonkey]

Non-Resident Library Cards -- updated 27 Jul 2022

Note: OverDrive collections only - other vendors may be available

1. Metropolitan Lib (OK) --- $70/year --- 164,992 epub --- 155,737 kindle --- 70,319 mp3
   
2. Stark Library (OH) ------- $30/year --- 161,569 epub --- 152,146 kindle --- 50,529 mp3
   
3. Multnomah Cty (OR) ---- $180/yr ----- 143,409 epub --- 126,803 kindle --- 59,381 mp3
   
4. Orange County (FL) ----- $125/yr ----- 116,241 epub --- 100,248 kindle --- 33,301 mp3
   
   
5. Toledo Lucas (OH) ------- $75/year --- 77,241 epub --- 73,179 kindle --- 35,692 mp3
   
6. Westchester (NY) -------- $75/year --- 52,522 epub --- 51,125 kindle --- 15,091 mp3
   
7. Houston Public (TX) ----- $40/year --- 49,357 epub --- 47,147 kindle --- 23,168 mp3
   
8. Queens Public (NY) ------ $50/year --- 48,994 epub --- 47,649 kindle --- 10,012 mp3
   
9. St Louis Public (MO) ----- $40/year --- 46,222 epub --- 42,776 kindle ----- 8,646 mp3
   
10. Chapel Hill Pub (NC) ----- $65/year --- 45,532 epub --- 41,763 kindle --- 17,859 mp3
    
11. Salt Lake City (UT) ------- $80/year --- 42,285 epub --- 37,439 kindle --- 21,227 mp3
    
12. Miami-Dade Lib (FL) ----- $65/year --- 41,899 epub --- 38,683 kindle --- 18,366 mp3
    
13. Monroe County (NY) ----- $25/year --- 39,090 epub --- 37,485 kindle --- 11,997 mp3
    
14. Fairfax County (VA) ------ $27/year --- 32,585 epub --- 33,359 kindle --- 20,679 mp3
    
15. New Orleans (LA) -------- $50/year --- 30,061 epub --- 29,711 kindle --- 25,290 mp3
    
16. C Mecklenburg (NC) ----- $45/year --- 28,806 epub --- 28,410 kindle ----- 6,946 mp3
    
17. Enoch Pratt Lib (MD) ---- $50/year --- 23,228 epub --- 21,302 kindle --- 11,017 mp3
    
18. Detroit Public (MI) ------ $100/yr ----- 10,954 epub --- 10,789 kindle ----- 4,903 mp3

Library Systems -- these libraries are part of larger library systems (see above for stats)

• Chapel Hill Pub (NC) ----- North Carolina Digital Library
  
• Enoch Pratt Lib (MD) ---- Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium
  
• Stark Library (OH) ------- The Ohio Digital Library

Restricted Non-Resident Library Cards

• Brooklyn Public (NY) ---- FREE --------- ages 13~21 only
  
• Carnegie Library (PA) --- $30/2 yrs --- must register in-person
  
• Hennepin County (MN) -- $60/year --- digital checkouts NOT allowed
  
• Los Angeles Pub (CA) ---- $50/year --- must register in-person

Former Non-Resident Library Cards

• Brooklyn Public (NY) --- no longer offers out-of-state fee cards as of 15 July 2022 --> details
  
• Free Library Phil (PA) -- no longer offers out-of-state fee cards as of 01 Nov 2019

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[Catlady]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I've just discovered Hoopla (via FLP) and I am so excited. It has many, many books that I want to listen to that I could never find on Overdrive!

Thank you! A treasure trove! I found so many books and series I want to sample.