Audiobooks
Whether pleasure reading, learning, or introducing children to the world of ideas,
audiobooks provide an alternative and a complement to the written page. Tapes or
CDs are formats waiting for you at the Library.
Think about exploring something new: Playaways. Sometimes called the “book that
reads itself,” Playaways are about the size of a cell phone an contain a complete
audiobook. They boast digital sound in a lightweight player — no tapes to change,
no CDs to switch, just one small player you can hang around your neck.
Downloadable audiobooks are also available through our website 24/7. All you need
are free software on your computer, an FCPL Library Card to check out, and a couple
of minutes on the internet to have something great to listen to.
Our entire collection of audiobooks is extensive and well-rounded. Children and
Teens benefit from a great novel this way, expanding their listening from frivolous
to fabulous. Kids of all ages can learn from the best readers available all about
inflection and engaging stories while growing their vocabulary. Many required reading
lists from schools are available this way, so give the listening experience a try!
Audiobooks are primarily fiction, but the collection also includes popular titles
in history, classics, biography, and other bestselling nonfiction. Learn a new language
or check out audiobooks read in foreign languages.
Not only are the newest fiction and series titles available, but we invite you to
revisit the literary classics. New productions of the classics with expert readers
who bring the drama (and laughter) to life make listening a pleasure.
Do you hear about self-help, travel, language, biographies, and other nonfiction
that you would like to read? Why not listen instead? Enjoy a “how-to” or life story
about someone you admire while you work in the garden or drive to work.
All audio materials are available for two-week checkouts and are renewable. Audio
materials can be renewed or reserved at any location. Most of the Central Library’s
audiobook collection comes from three vendors: Recorded Books, Books On Tape, and
McNaughton Audio (a rotating rental collection). Audiobooks on MP3 CD are the newest
addition to the Central Library’s vast audiobook collection. One MP3 CD holds as
much material as 16 regular CD’s. Spend less time rotating discs and more time listening
with MP3 CDs. MP3 CDs play on computers, CD-ROM drives, some DVD players, and some
car audio systems.
Check out the special collections housed
in the Audiovisual and Circulation Department at Central Library. For an enjoyable
digital download experience, try Downloadable Media
online for a growing collection of audiobooks, ebooks, music, and video.