Did you know that June is Audiobook Appreciation Month? After all, what is a long summer road trip without listening to a brand new book in the car? All this month, we have had a display highlighting some of the most popular CD Audiobooks and Playaways in our library’s collection (see our picture below!) The library’s Audiobook collection is located on the first floor of the library, opposite of our Large Print collection near our Fiction Stacks.
But did you know, Using the Libby app, Topsfield Library Card holders have access to over 11,000 streaming audiobooks through the Libby app?
In this post, we’re going to highlight the library’s Playaway collection, including using speakers from our Library of Things collection to listen. Also, we’re going to highlight how to get started using the Libby app, so you can check out and stream e-audiobooks from your phone!
Using Playaways!
Your first question may be “what is a Playaway?” A Playaway is the pre-loaded audiobook on a AAA battery-powered MP3 device that allows you to listen to book anywhere you go!
Each Playaway includes an auxiliary port for a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo jack, which you can plug in traditional headphones (note: Apple headphones may require an adapter, like this). Please note that Bluetooth is NOT supported by Playaway devices.
However, this may not work on your road trips, when everyone wants to listen! You can check out Car Adapter Cables for Playaways from the library. Using this cord (see the picture on the right) you may be able to plug your to an auxiliary port in your vehicle! Simply press “play” on the device with a battery inside, and you’re good to go!
Unfortunately, many newer vehicles may not include auxiliary ports. Still, the library has you covered! We have ordered some USB-to-AUX adapters for our Library of Things (coming soon!)
Are you at your campsite and want to listen to an audiobook together? We can help you with that, too! Check out one of our two speakers available for checkout through our Library of Things, and the Car Adapter Cable, you can listen to all the Playaways in our collection!!!
Pro Tip: Often, the wait for Playaway versions of popular titles is much less than the physical version, or even the CD Audiobook, so we urge you to give them a try! Playaways can be borrowed for 21 days, just like a regular book, and can be renewed two additional times, as long as no one else is looking for it!
Audiobooks using the Libby App
Topsfield Town Library card holders have access to over 11,000 e-audiobooks (along with many more e-books!) through the Libby app! However, one of the biggest hurdles for our patrons take advantage of this service is the fact that some have trouble getting started using the app. Luckily, we have a tutorial on getting started on the Libby app. Click the “Play” button to begin!
To log into Libby for the first time, you will need your Library Card Number (a 14-digit number on the back of your library card) and a PIN (if you can’t remember, the default is set to be the last four digits of your phone number; feel free to contact us to reset your PIN).
Pro Tip: Sign up for a BPL E-Card!
If you can’t find what you’re looking for through our network, try the Boston Public Library. Any MA resident may access their downloadable collections by signing up for a free BPL ecard. Enter the E-Card into the Libby app and expand you e-audiobook options!
