Playaways are here today

Audiobooks. Books on tape. Recorded books. Downloadable audiobooks. Library patrons have been enjoying these for years. Some listen to them while relaxing, or working around the house, or while commuting in the car.

Recently the Osterhout library has begun offering a brand new technology called Playaways. With these, all you need is a set of headphones (almost any set should fit the standard jack). There's no downloading or switching discs required. You may be wondering how you will listen to an audiobook with no tape, CD or mp3 player. The answer is simple: the "book" and the "player" are one and the same! And it only weighs about 2 ounces. And it's actually smaller than a pack of cards.

Each Playaway comes in a plastic container about the size of a VHS tape, with a foam insert to protect the unit. The simple operating instructions are on the inside cover. There's also a spare battery included (each battery should last about 7 hours.)

On your next library visit, you can browse our initial collection of 20 Playaways, "the first pre-loaded digital audiobook," near the New Book display. Current titles include such favorites as Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, Lisa Scottoline's Dirty Blonde and Janet Evanovich's Motor Mouth. (Earbud headphones are also available for sale at the Circulation desk for $2, so you will have your own pair to keep.)