May 27, 2021

Press release from Shreve Memorial Library:

May 27, 2021

June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and Shreve Memorial Library is inviting everyone to experience books in audio form. Participation is simple, just grab your electronic device and listen to an audiobook. Listening to audio books makes your road trips, lounging around your home or at the pool, or that commute to the office more fun and enjoyable.

Although some book lovers relish the smell of and being able to turn the pages of physical books, readers are encouraged to give audiobooks a try. Shreve Memorial Library offers thousands of audiobooks free of charge through OverDrive, Flipster, Hoopla, and TumbleBooks for children. With a Shreve Memorial Library card, an electronic device, and an internet connection, library patrons can enjoy thousands of audiobooks anywhere in the world. Overdrive and Libby house audiobooks and streaming video, while Hoopla offers audiobooks, comics, along with movies, music, and television shows. To use Shreve Memorial Library’s eBook services, go to www.shreve-lib.org. A library card and a PIN number is required.

In addition to online services, Shreve Memorial Library patrons can checkout Playaways from any Shreve Memorial Library branch and enjoy audiobooks on the go. Playaways are durable, all-in-one devices that are preloaded with audiobooks and require no other device, technology or WiFi connection to use. Patrons can enjoy audiobooks in a variety of genres including bestsellers, new releases, and more.

The term "talking book" came into being in the 1930s with government programs designed for blind readers, while the term "audiobook" came into use during the 1970s when audiocassettes began to replace records. In 1994, the Audio Publishers Association established the term "audiobook" as the industry standard.

This press release was produced by Shreve Memorial Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.