I would like to bring to your attention another technology - Audio eBooks
(digital Audio) using digital audio players (MP3 players or PDAs). This is
establishing itself in the States and we will be piloting such services in
Richmond in the New Year. We are working in partnership with Blackburn with
Darwen borough Council. We plan to lend novels pre-loaded on MP3 players
(with cassette adapters) to our housebound users and also have facilities
for users to download content remotely on to their PCs.
This is part of our People's Network Excellence Fund award to pilot
ebook/eaudio services
LISTENOHIO, a co-operative venture involving some public libraries in Ohio,
has this to say on their web site http://audible.nolanet.org/
<http://audible.nolanet.org/> about digital audio
"There are some very significant advantages of digital audiobooks. Digital
audiobook cannot be damaged, so your library can spend less on replacing
books, and more on adding new titles to the collection. They are easy to
share and can be delivered to you instantly. A book can be returned by a
patron in Lisbon, and five minutes later it's available for download by
users at any participating library. Digital audiobooks don't require any
shelf space, which allows your library to add hundreds of new titles. No
more tapes or CD's to switch - no more changing tapes while cruising down
the highway or while on a long run. Your entire book (and likely more than
one) can easily be stored on your digital audiobook player. No more
skipping, which is common in some auto and portable CD players. No more
damaged or mangled tapes More portable - since you can store multiple
audiobooks on a single player it's easier to take them anywhere. "
Further information:
www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/newsletter1-5/vol5-audio_ebooks.htm
<http://www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/newsletter1-5/vol5-audio_ebooks.ht
m>
http://www.kcls.org/eaudio/eaudiofaqs.cfm
<http://www.kcls.org/eaudio/eaudiofaqs.cfm>
Best wishes
Derrick Fernandes
People's Network Project Co-ordinator
Libraries & Information Services
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
The Cottage, Little Green
Richmond TW9 1QL
*tel (020) 8940 3691
*fax (020) 8940 7516
*email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.richmond.gov.uk/libraries <http://www.richmond.gov.uk>
=======================================================================
This email has been scanned for Virus infection by MessageLabs
For more information please contact [log in to unmask]
=======================================================================
|