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Downloadable Audiobooks Arrive at Whatcom Libraries

by Whatcom County and Bellingham Library Systems4/1/2008 9:26:50 AM

Listen up Bellingham and Whatcom County residents! Beginning April 1, library patrons will have anytime, anywhere access to a dynamic collection of digital audiobooks through a new library service, the Northwest Washington Anytime Library.

Downloading audiobooks for long car rides are a great option for kids too!

With a valid library card, library patrons can use the Northwest Washington Anytime Library link on Whatcom County Library System or Bellingham Public Library to install free software, check out and download audiobooks to their PC, and then transfer titles to a supported MP3 player or burn titles to CD.

Among the growing collection are thrillers, romance, science fiction, mysteries and popular non-fiction titles. The digital library also features best-selling authors such as Nora Roberts and James Patterson as well as a selection of teen and children’s audiobooks.

"This service is great for travelers, commuters, and for those who like to listen to books while they exercise," said Joan Airoldi, Director of Whatcom County Library System. "With so many best-selling titles available, there’s sure to be something for every listener.”

Beth Farley, Head of Information and Reader’s Services at the Bellingham Public Library, listens to audiobooks when she goes on vacation.  “No more piles of CDs to keep track of on the airplane,” she enthuses, “I’ll be able to fit several entire novels on one tiny MP3 player.”

Patrons can check out up to three titles at a time and at the end of the 14-day loan period, the audiobooks will automatically expire and return to the Northwest Washington Anytime Library collection. The digital titles have no late fees or damage costs. The service is free to library cardholders, easy-to-use, and available 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

Both Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library System have been offering audiobooks to library patrons for many years and have reallocated existing funding to address this new, downloadable format option.  Audiobooks are also available on cassette, CD, and via Playaways to appeal to a wide variety of listeners.

Visit the WCLS or BPL to start accessing audiobooks or to find out more about this new service.