Library card holders will now be able to check out instructional programs, literature-based films, and classic and independent films in DVD format.
“The new DVD collection will feature titles not ordinarily found at commercial rental stores,” says Library Director Lynn Thompson. “We are grateful to the estate of Mr. Virgil Lee which funded a portion of this collection in memory of Mrs. Virgil Lee.”
The DVDs will be available under the same circulation guidelines as the Library’s videotapes — a two-week checkout period with a limit of two DVDs per card holder at one time. New titles include: “La Dolce Vita”; the award-winning documentaries, “To Be and To Have,” “Daughters of Afghanistan,” and “A Touch of Greatness”; the PBS “Mystery” series, “Rosemary & Thyme,” “Midsomer Murders,” “Heat of the Sun” and “Foyle’s War”; BBC productions of the works of Jane Austen and many more.
Along with introducing its collection of new DVDs, the Library is also promoting its free downloadable audiobooks.
“June is recognized as Audiobook Month,” says Library Assistant Barbara Smith. “That may be because people are looking for something more portable for vacation travel or for days spent lying on sunny beaches!”
While it’s true that the most devoted audiobook listeners are avid adult readers and commuters, others are joining their ranks.
Educators now agree that audiobooks may help struggling readers or those with learning disabilities. Many parents have reported that listening to audiobooks with their children, as they ferry them to and from soccer or music lessons, can lead to lively and meaningful discussions. So it should come as no surprise to learn that audiobooks have grown into a $2 billion industry in the United States.
According to the Audio Publishers Association, 22.5 percent of households surveyed reported that someone in the home had listened to an audiobook in the previous year.
But how do downloadable audiobooks differ from those on cassette or CD?
“These downloadable audiobooks are digital versions of the same audiobooks that have been available at the library for years,” says Smith, “but they are now coming to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the convenience of your home through the Internet.”
Downloadable audiobooks may be played on any desktop or portable computer that supports Windows Media Player version 9.0 and above. They can also be transferred to a wide range of portable devices such as MP3 players, media centers, Pocket PCs and even select smartphone devices.
“Through the online services of NCLIVE, a Southern Pines Public Library card gives you free access to as many as 10 of these books at a time,” says Smith. “All you need to do to gain access to this exciting new resource is visit the library to establish a free NetLibrary account!”
NetLibrary, the leading provider of electronic books, and Recorded Books, the world’s largest independent publisher and distributor of unabridged audiobooks, have teamed together to offer the latest best sellers, book club favorites, award winning authors and more. These audiobooks are narrated by professional actors with years of experience on the stage and in movies and are produced in state-of-the-art recording studios.
Smith pointed out that the service is ideal for book clubs because it provides countless copies of a book to club members since the technology permits unlimited downloads to be made simultaneously.
“That way there’s no waiting for your chance at the book, having to purchase the book or trying to beat everyone down to the library to check out the possibly one or two copies available.”
Unlike regular audiobooks, they don’t have to be returned to the library but simply expire after the three-week checkout period.
The downloadable format will also allow students flexibility in satisfying their reading requirements.
“There is a large selection of unabridged classic titles included in NetLibrary’s collection,” Smith says. “So students doing required summer reading may also find the downloadable audiobooks a big help in beating the deadlines for reading before school starts in August!”
Still confused about downloadable audiobooks?
On Sunday, June 4, at 3 p.m., there will be a free information session and demonstration at the Southern Pines Public Library for anyone interested in learning more about this exciting new technology.
“I’m very proud that our library is breaking new ground with these new formats,” Thompson says. “With the downloadable audiobooks and our new DVD collection we are now able to provide our library customers with greater access to materials than has been previously possible.”
Alice Thomas is a Public Services Librarian at the Southern Pines Public Library.
