Downloadable Audiobooks?

In recent weeks, a couple of libraries have posed the question: are any libraries out there buying downloadable audiobooks? What are they paying and what vendors are they using? Certainly libraries across the country are providing this service, I just don't have any solid numbers on which Iowa libs are getting in on this action.

If you'd like some background reading on the topic, refer to an article in Computers in Libraries: "An Overview of Digital Audio Books for Libraries" Computers in Libraries, 10417915, Jul/Aug 2005, Vol. 25, Issue 7. Hint: you'll find this journal in EBSCO, so a good time to test your EBSCO search skills! Call NWILS if you need help.

You'll also find great background information at WebJunction:
http://ia.webjunction.org/do/Search And following the PLA Conference in Boston this spring, they've posted handouts from many of the conference sessions. Scroll down the list of sessions and you'll see some that addressed audiobooks. Click here to see the PLA handouts: http://www.placonference.org/handouts_audiotapes.cfm

We shouldn't assume that this is new service is only being offered in larger metro libraries, so please share your answers and experiences here to start a discussion! Thanks...Bonnie McK @ NWILS