The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

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October 27, 2007

Joplin library offering new type of audio book

By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

The Joplin Public Library is offering a new technology for listening to audio books.

It is called Playaway, a self-playing digital audio book.

“It’s a self-contained audio book about the size of a credit card,” said Jeana Gockley, children’s librarian.

People can check them out one at a time for three weeks, like the library’s other audio books, Gockley said.

“You just plug in your own headphones,” to listen to the book, she said. “Any pair of universal headphones will work.”

The library currently has 61 titles available spread through the children’s, teen and the adult sections.

“We will be getting more in all parts of the library,” Gockley said.

The advantage to library patrons is that unlike other audio book formats, “you don’t have to switch out all the CDs and cassettes,” she said, “and you just plug your headphones in and you can take it anywhere.”

The library provides AAA batteries for the units but patrons must use their own headphones.

Those who want to find out what is in the collection can do so on the library’s Web site by typing “Playaway” in the keyword or subject box in the library’s computerized catalog at www.joplinpubliclibrary.org.

Some Playaway titles offered include “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini; “Seabiscuit” by Laura Hillenbrand, “1776” by David McCullough; and “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson.

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