A! Magazine for the Arts

R.E.A.D.S Now Offers Thousands of iPod-Compatible Audiobooks

July 5, 2009

JOHNSON CITY, TN -- Through Tennessee R.E.A.D.S, accessible through www.jcpl.net, Johnson City Public Library patrons have access to thousands of best-selling and classic audiobooks that are now compatible with the iPod, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPod nano, as well as the Zune and thousands of other MP3 players.

Recently, Tennessee R.E.A.D.S expanded compatibility with two popular audiobook formats, WMA and MP3. Thousands of WMA audiobooks now offer support for transfer to Apple devices and dozens of MP3 players, with a simple upgrade of the free software OverDrive Media Console. In addition, READS added MP3 audiobooks to the collection, which offers iPod- and Mac-compatibility.

Bob Swanay, Johnson City Public Library Director said "I frequently talk to patrons just discovering this wonderful resource. Our patrons love the downloadable audiobooks. Now that the available titles are compatible with iPods even more patrons will be able to use them." Users of R.E.A.D.S can now enjoy best-selling titles like Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Associate by John Grisham, and even the highly anticipated Lost Symbol by Dan Brown on their iPod or other digital media player.

For Windows users, simply upgrade your OverDrive Media Console software to version 3.2. To do so, visit http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/. Once downloaded, users can browse the collection of thousands of WMA and MP3 audiobooks available for checkout with your library card. Mac users will need to install OverDrive Media Console for Mac and check out titles in the MP3 format to transfer to an Apple device. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and return to the collection. There are no late fees.

This free and easy to use service is provided by Johnson City Public Library and powered by OverDrive, Inc. To start downloading today, visit http://www.jcpl.net/.

R.E.A.D.S is administered by the Tennessee State Library and Archives, under the authority of Tre Hargett, Secretary of State. Funds for R.E.A.D.S are partially provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities.

For more information, contact Bob Swanay at (423) 434-4457.

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