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News & Events
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Oakland library's books now are online New service allows people with card to download stories from Web site Posted in the Oakland Tribune on Sunday, September 18, 2005 Written by Laura Casey Oakland — No waiting lists, no lines and, best of all, no late fees. Last month, the Oakland Public Library became one of hundreds of library systems across the country to offer downloadable audio book titles online. The free service is available to anyone with a library card, said Kathleen Hirooka of the Oakland Public Library. "We want to let people know that libraries are staying relevant in the digital age," she said. "This is something you can access from your home computer 24/7." Downloadable audio books are the 21st century version of books on tape. Users with home computers can visit the library's Web site, download the book onto their computers and put it on an MP3 player. The library boasts more than 700 titles, including classics such as Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" and Homer's "The Iliad," fiction titles such as Stephen King's "Carrie" and Pat Conroy's "Prince of Tides." The selection also offers nonfiction, business, biography and fantasy titles. People interested in learning a new language can download lessons in 39 different languages from the Pimsleur Language Series. The Holy Bible is also available for download. The wonder of audio books, Hirooka said, is that several people can download the material at one time. "They don't have to wait on our holds list to obtain these books," she said. Audio books can run from three hours to 15 hours long, depending on the title. Oakland Public Library contracts the service through NetLibrary, a provider of ebooks and audio books. Marge Gammon, representative for NetLibrary, said offering audio books online is a way for libraries to connect with people who stopped using them as a resource. "We see this as a really interesting, growing opportunity for public libraries to serve their population remotely, since we know library attendance is going down," she said. Traditionally, Gammon said, people who check out books on tape and CD are usually older and find reading more difficult. Today, commuters and travelers of all ages are downloading audio books to liven up otherwise dull hours in cars and public transportation. For more information or to download an audio book, visit http://www.oaklandlibrary.org or call 238-3134. Oakland Tribune
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Related links: - Oakland Tribune |
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