Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 17, 2008 issue
Playaways at Watauga Public Library: A New Spin on Books On Tape
Story by Garrett Simmons
“I’ve been meaning to catch up on my reading, but I just can’t find the time.” Sound familiar? If it does, Watauga County Public Library now has Playaways, the latest audiobook technology.
Playaways are portable Mp3 players. Like their predecessor, books on tape, Playaways offer full-length recordings of popular texts, but the new electronic format is even more compact and allows users to scroll through chapters with the push of a button.
The public library is currently offering a sample of 21 Playaways in hopes that they will be a hit with readers whose spare moments for reading are few and far between.
Adult Services Librarian Evelyn Johnson said the devices are an exciting addition to the library’s resources. “Playaways are small, lightweight and very simple to use,” she said.
“You can check them out just like a book.”
Each Playaway holds a single recording, with titles ranging from classic American literature to the latest best sellers. Based on the device’s popularity at the Wilkes County branch and other surrounding libraries, Johnson said she expects similar success here in Watauga County. “Right now we have only a few for trial use,” she said. “But if people seem to enjoy them, we will expand our selection in July.”
Besides audio versions of popular literature, users can also benefit from instructional editions like Spanish For Dummies. Johnson said so far this Playaway has been one of the most popular choices. “In the case of foreign language lessons, which require an auditory component, the Playaways have a real advantage over printed text,” she said.
But with spring weather approaching, Playaways can also be enjoyed purely for leisure. “People are ready to get outside,” said Johnson. “Playaways are perfect to take on a walk or any other outdoor activity.”
For more info on Playaways, contact the Watauga County Public Library at 828-264-8784, or stop by the reference desk to check one out.
Playaways at the Watauga County Library
Here is a list of titles available right now on Playaways at the Watauga County Public Library.
You, on a walk, recording of sounds to accompany you while walking
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Dianne Ackerman
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
The Camel Club by David Baldacci
Away by Amy Bloom
Full Blast by Janet Evanovich
Paint It Black by Janet Fitch
The Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman
The Innocent Man by John Grisham
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn by Janis Hallowell
Gone by Alex Delaware
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Kidd
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Cross by James Patterson
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Spanish For Dummies, instructional Spanish lessons.
Classic American Poetry
Classic American Short Stories
Classic Ghost Stories
Boom!: Voices of the ‘60s Personal Reflections of the ‘60s and Today by Tom Brokaw