[July 15, 2011] Library offers new option Tweet HUNTSVILLE, Jul 15, 2011 (The Huntsville Item - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Huntsville Public Library is offering a new way for young readers to listen to their favorite audiobooks this summer. The library has expanded its juvenile and young adult collection to include a selection of Playaways, portable audio devices pre-loaded with a single audiobook. Playaways can be checked out from the library just like books or books on CD, but function in much the same way as MP3 players like iPods. With a pair of headphones and one triple-A battery, readers can turn on the Playaway and take their audiobook with them anywhere. "You don't have to worry about loading it into the player. You don't have to worry about CDs skipping. It's very simple," library services coordinator Kimberly Francisco said. "We've had a small collection of them for several years, but this summer we've had several children request them, so we started to beef up the collection." The library's Playaway collection is on display in the children's area, and includes popular titles like Rick Riordan's bestselling "The Lightning Thief" and Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning "The Tale of Despereaux." Francisco said the collection will continue to expand as demand rises, and adult titles can also be added to the collection if adult readers begin to request them. The portability and ease of use of the Playaways are not only a benefit to readers in general, but especially to reluctant readers, Francisco said. "It's something cool that they can carry around and listen to," she added. "It makes it a little bit easier. They don't have to sit still. They can be active. It's a good way to get kids hooked on a book because plugging in ear buds and pressing play is a lot easier than making yourself sit down and keep your eyes trained on a page." The Playaways also represent what Francisco said is a progressive effort by the library to keep up with new media in a way that best serves its customers. "We try to provide books in all the formats that our customers want, and this is just another way we can do that," she said. "This is a good alternative for people who don't have their own MP3 players, but still want the portability of taking their audiobook with them wherever they go." For more information on Playaways, contact the library at (936) 291-5472. To see more of The Huntsville Item or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.itemonline.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Huntsville Item, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]