Introduction to Overdrive

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, June 2006; written by Lisa Pearson.

Contrary to the outdoorsy, bush-rat image we like to portray of ourselves, Alaskans are actually quite tech-savvy and computer literate. According to the U.S. Census Department (October 2003), 68.5% of Alaskan households have Internet access. That’s the highest rate in the country – outstripping computer industry hubs such as Washington and California. So what does this have to do with the library? Well, since our goal is to provide information, not just books, we are always looking for ways to provide more information in a more convenient format for the people of Ketchikan, and this increasingly involves online access. To that end, we are considering offering a new service to our patrons: downloadable audiobooks.

The system we are looking at is produced by OverDrive (you can see a program demo by going to www.overdrive.com/audiobooks/AudioDemo.asp). Our patrons would be able to access a library of audiobook titles from their own computer at any time of the day or night. After an initial download of file management software much like Windows MediaPlayer, using the system will be quick and simple. You could search our online catalog for a particular title or author you are interested in, or you could browse the list of available titles. These will include popular new fiction, classic literature, nonfiction titles and children’s books. When you have chosen an audiobook, you simply ‘check it out’ using the barcode on your library card. That audio file is then yours, and yours alone, for the borrowing period. You can download the entire book at once, or one chapter at a time. Once the file is on your computer, you can then listen to it directly on your PC, burn it onto a CD, or transfer it to a portable media device. (The only caveat here is that this system is not compatible with iPods or other Apple products due to licensing restrictions). At the end of your borrowing period you can either renew the audiobook or let the file access expire automatically. There are no late fees with this service!

As always, we welcome community comments and input. We have compiled a short questionnaire, which is available at the front desk, about using this audiobook service. The next time you are at the library, please take a moment to let us know what you think. You are also welcome to call (225-3331) or email (library@firstcitylibraries.org) us with your questions and comments. Due to the huge popularity of audiobooks in Ketchikan, we think this would be a valuable way to serve our patrons. We would love to know what you think.

For those of you who are devotees of “Selected Shorts” on KRBD, we have added an interesting new item to our collection: Verb – an audioquarterly. Published by the University of Georgia Press, this audio series presents a variety of literature. The premier issue contains poetry by Thomas Lux, short stories by Ha Jin and Robert Olen Butler, and an original composition by Stuart Dybek. Eclectic, original and interesting, this audiozine offers a little something for everyone. We are happy to add this to our growing list of CD audiobooks, and we hope it finds an audience here in Ketchikan.