eAudiobooks through North Carolina Digital Library

by Melissa J. Oleen  Rowan Public Library

In June, I learned that corneal abrasion equals no screens, no lights, no fun.  If you have been through this experience you know the pain.  If you are a reader, you know the extra frustration of not being able to read for days on end.  The perfect solution is Rowan Public Library’s eAudio collection accessed through the North Carolina Digital Library with your library card.

My favorite approach to access is to go to the North Carolina Digital Library via the library’s web page (www.rowanpubliclibrary.org) and click on All Collections under Featured Collections.  Scroll down to and then click on Popular AudioBooks.  The covers, titles and authors of audiobooks in the library’s collection will scroll out before you.  Call 704-216-8243 and librarians can navigate you through these steps.

One step that can be confusing to those new to electronic materials is the Overdrive step.  This is the software application that communicates between the collection, in this case NC Digital Library, and your electronic device of choice (smart phone, tablet, computer etc.).  By calling 704-216-8243 or visiting the information desk at any library location, librarians can assist you in navigating this one-time set-up.

eAudio titles in the library’s collection include many of the 2016 Audie Award Winners.  The Audie is the Oscars of the audiobook world. It is awarded by the Audio Publishers Association and honors the best in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment in 29 categories across a variety of genres such as autobiography, humor, paranormal, romance, science fiction, business/personal development, young adult, literary fiction and inspirational faith-based fiction and non-fiction.  Categories include Audiobook of the year (Girl on the Train read by Clare Corbett), Best Female Narrator (Wild Rover No More read by Katherin Kellgren), Best Male Narrator (The English Spy read by George Guidall).

An easy, quick and fun way to listen to a sampling of Audie winners is accessible on the AudioFile website (AudioFileMagazine.com).  Here you will find a brief description of all Audie finalists and winners along with reviews and free audio samplings.  If you are new to the audiobook format, this is a great way to become familiar and find your preferences.  Many readers have discovered that genres they may have no interest in reading are enjoyed in the audio format.  Others have discovered favorite readers and will listen to any title they read no matter the topic. You can identify the titles that will keep everyone interested on long road trips, lull you to sleep at night, or help you pass the time while sitting in a darkened room as your cornea heals itself.