Andrea Lhotka

Audio books, at home or on-the-go, at the Sedona Library

by Andrea Lhotka, Reference/Interlibrary Loan Librarian

SEDONA, AZ (November 27, 2009) - Sedona Public Library is now your internet audio resource!  With more than 1,000 popular and classic titles to select from, our digital collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Offering popular fiction and non-fiction, our “Virtual Branch” spans nearly every genre. You can download best-selling novels, well-known classics, self-improvement guides, and more.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for in that familiar friend: the book, then try Overdrive.  Some of the most popular and fresh titles on your must-read list can be found there electronically such as:  “The Lost Symbol”, “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”, or Stephanie Meyer’s “The Host”.  They can be downloaded anytime and anywhere 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by visiting http://www.sedonalibrary.org/eBooks.html. 

To download audio books, users need a valid library card, personal computer, and Internet connection. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on the computer or transferred to a supported device, like an MP3 player. Many audio titles can also be burned to CD to enjoy in the car. You can set your own checkout period.  Log in to your eAccount and select:  7, 14, or 21 days.  At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the collection. There are never late fees or damaged items.  Additionally, when you’re finished you can rate audio books on a scale of 1-5 stars.  See what other people say. 

Getting started is easy. Visit our website, install the free software, browse the collection, add titles to your cart, and check them out.  While the title downloads, you can multitask between checking your email, surfing the net and updating your Facebook page.  When the download process is complete, you can enjoy titles on your Windows or Mac computer or transfer to supported devices, like an MP3 player, iPod, Blackberry, Zen or Zune. The downloadable audio book is nice for the industrious individual attached to the stimulation of reading but lacking the time to crack open a book.     

Overdrive digital media is brilliant in its versatility.  The electronic audio book frees you to engage in an assortment of other activities while “reading” such as taking your morning commute, running on the treadmill, tidying up around the house, or even hiking through Boynton Canyon.  If you have a repetitive and possibly dull task that requires little prefrontal lobe involvement, we have a stimulating diversion for you.

Analogous with the character of Sedona and our vibrant New Age community, Overdrive offers a fantastic selection of mystical and spiritual audio books by authors like Esther Hicks, Sylvia Browne, Eckhart Tolle, and Dr. Wayne Dyer. When your meanderings lead to the Overdrive digital media website, find the “Search Digital Media” menu at the top; choose the subject New Age or Religion & Spirituality from the drop down menu.  You will find audio books that explore the law of attraction, spiritual guides, the Tao, and prophecies about the end of the world.  

Perhaps your interests are not of an existential nature and you are craving a good detective novel or unsolved mystery.  A subject search for Mystery will bring you the latest in James Patterson, John Grisham, or Janet Evanovich.  You will find a well-rounded selection.  Did I also mention that you can practice your Spanish pronunciation while washing the dishes?  As long as you don’t care what your roommate thinks, practice away.

Even if you’re in between laptops right now you can still enjoy the flexibility of Overdrive’s downloadable audio books.  On a first-come first-serve basis for only $1.00 an hour, we have a Special Use computer that’s great for audio book downloads.  All the necessary software has already been downloaded.  In addition to Overdrive audio book downloads, this computer can also be checked out for taking testing online and anything else you can’t accomplish on our one- hour computers.  Come by the reference desk to check it out.  And whatever the quick start guide and FAQ’s may overlook in getting you on your way, check in with your local Librarian.  Give us a call, stop by the reference desk or check out the informative display for more information.  We’d be glad to help you.