Libraries offer free audiobook downloads

Bob Russell · 02-26-2006, 04:42 PM

It may only be for a few select cities, but it's great to hear that certain libraries are allowing members to download audiobooks. Unfortunately, that darn DRM prevents it from being a perfect solution, and limits the devices you can listen on. But maybe it's not too bad for this particular application until something better comes along. The libraries are using a version of Windows Media Audio from Overdrive, Inc which probably means no Linux or Mac support.

Worth a look at your local library if you are in one of the lucky cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Portland and Los Angeles.

Via marketingshift.com

radleyp · 02-27-2006, 03:09 PM

You shouldn't get too excited. I live in New York City and have downloaded ebooks with success from New York Public Library (which I read with Mobipocket reader on my Palm TX), but frankly the audio book setup is useless, because you must listen to the book on your desktop or laptop. The beauty of audiobooks comes, as with ebooks, from their portability and that you can listen to them on a handheld (I am listening to an Audible book these days). That you cannot do with these library books.

Bob Russell · 02-27-2006, 03:43 PM

That's really a shame.

But I would hope that at least Pocket PC users would be able to use them? Can anyone confirm that?

Or maybe with software like the eventual purchased version of TCPMP that is supposed to cost a small amt, and include some additional codecs that require licensing fees. It would be great if that opens it up for mobile users.

Lot's of growing pains because the content providers are so afraid of losing their material. In fact, they're so afraid that they may forego a lot of potential revenue on it by making it so hard to use.

strat · 02-27-2006, 08:49 PM

Actually I've listened to Audiobooks from both NetLibrary and Overdrive through a couple of libraries that I'm a member at, using Pocket Tunes, on my Treo 650. It supports playback of both NetLibrary and Overdrive books (and Napster, Yahoo and Rhapsody music as well).

Most books you can 'take out' for around 25 or so days. Currently I have 1776 out from NetLibrary. One thing, you need to download the CD quality version from NetLibrary to transfer to a portable device like a Palm. And you need to be using Pocket Tunes Deluxe but it also works with the free trial as well. With overdrive you need to use their console but when you transfer to a portable device it opens up Windows Media Player and transfer through it.

02-26-2006, 04:42 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Libraries offer free audiobook downloads It may only be for a few select cities, but it's great to hear that certain libraries are allowing members to download audiobooks. Unfortunately, that darn DRM prevents it from being a perfect solution, and limits the devices you can listen on. But maybe it's not too bad for this particular application until something better comes along. The libraries are using a version of Windows Media Audio from Overdrive, Inc which probably means no Linux or Mac support. Worth a look at your local library if you are in one of the lucky cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Portland and Los Angeles. Via marketingshift.com

02-27-2006, 08:49 PM	#4
strat Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2004	Actually you can listen on your Palm Actually I've listened to Audiobooks from both NetLibrary and Overdrive through a couple of libraries that I'm a member at, using Pocket Tunes, on my Treo 650. It supports playback of both NetLibrary and Overdrive books (and Napster, Yahoo and Rhapsody music as well). Most books you can 'take out' for around 25 or so days. Currently I have 1776 out from NetLibrary. One thing, you need to download the CD quality version from NetLibrary to transfer to a portable device like a Palm. And you need to be using Pocket Tunes Deluxe but it also works with the free trial as well. With overdrive you need to use their console but when you transfer to a portable device it opens up Windows Media Player and transfer through it.

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02-27-2006, 03:09 PM	#2
radleyp Evangelist Posts: 499 Karma: 20623 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Salem & NYC, NY Device: Kindle Global, iphone4, ipad	You shouldn't get too excited. I live in New York City and have downloaded ebooks with success from New York Public Library (which I read with Mobipocket reader on my Palm TX), but frankly the audio book setup is useless, because you must listen to the book on your desktop or laptop. The beauty of audiobooks comes, as with ebooks, from their portability and that you can listen to them on a handheld (I am listening to an Audible book these days). That you cannot do with these library books.

02-27-2006, 03:43 PM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	That's really a shame. But I would hope that at least Pocket PC users would be able to use them? Can anyone confirm that? Or maybe with software like the eventual purchased version of TCPMP that is supposed to cost a small amt, and include some additional codecs that require licensing fees. It would be great if that opens it up for mobile users. Lot's of growing pains because the content providers are so afraid of losing their material. In fact, they're so afraid that they may forego a lot of potential revenue on it by making it so hard to use.

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