Audio Books?

[Imzadi]

Can you listen to them (audio) or just read?

There are reading formats called eBooks, in which you can chose the type of file which is compatible to your reader or reading app program. The most popular file types are: PDF, ePub or Kindle.

Then there is usually an audio accessibility feature for people who are visually impaired, which will read the text of the eBook aloud. This should not be confused with audio books. This disability feature might not read the text with any inflection, emotion or richness. It may just read the words expressionless. It may be flat, dry recitation of the text.

AUDIO books usually have a professional, skilled reader who reads the book aloud. They are usually hired actors or voice actors who can read the eBooks with full richness of expression and if the eBook is a novel, speak each character in a different voice or accent, so the listener can follow along and know which character is speaking. (Actor Jim Dale narrated the Harry Potter audio books and did hundreds of different "voices" for each of the characters. Those audio books are supposed to be amazing.) Other times, the author narrates their own book. You can usually listen to a clip of the audio book on audio book's webpage.

I agree with others who recommended the LIbby app. But, it really depends on the app your library recommends is compatible with their library loan system. Many libraries belong to the ILL - Inter-Library Loan system, where if they don't have audio book in their own system, they can request to borrow it from another library which is part of the system. It may take a few weeks to get the audio book, especially if it is popular and there is a waiting list.

If you want to BUY audio books, there is Audible.com is owned by Amazon. They supposedly have the largest audio book collection in the world. That may be good or bad, as every self-published author on Amazon is capable of having their book made in audio format too. Not every self-published author may be worth reading.

 

[Kennywood]

Use the Hoopla app.

 

[NC Belle]

I used Amazon, but the library on it shrank when I cut the hubby/someday exh's selections out.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Actor Jim Dale narrated the Harry Potter audio books and did hundreds of different "voices" for each of the characters. Those audio books are supposed to be amazing.

They are!! He does a really great job with do many voices (and he even sings the sorting hat songs.)

 

[irlandaise]

Use the Hoopla app.

Hoopla!

Sorry, couldn't resist. This is a Disney fan forum, after all. I'm surprised no one else had said it yet!

But seriously, I echo others' recommendations for audiobooks from the library via Hoopla and Libby.

 

[Chili327]

Got my new library card and set up on Libby, will do Hoopla next, but the librarian said it’s mostly tv, movies and comics?

 

[NotUrsula]

If the person who issued your library card told you that, you probably were not speaking to a librarian, but a clerk, and clerks don't always know a whole lot about electronic product offerings.

Hoopla does have all of those things, but they have a lot more book content, both audiobooks and ebooks. The platform offers 1.5M titles in 115 languages, though being a US company, English is predominant.

A quick check of my public library's Hoopla license shows availability in English-language of 439,647 ebook titles and 102,359 audiobook titles and, while there are 31,906 comics, 24,488 movies, and 3,914 television selections.

 

[Chili327]

If the person who issued your library card told you that, you probably were not speaking to a librarian, but a clerk, and clerks don't always know a whole lot about electronic product offerings.

Hoopla does have all of those things, but they have a lot more book content, both audiobooks and ebooks. The platform offers 1.5M titles in 115 languages, though being a US company, English is predominant.

A quick check of my public library's Hoopla license shows availability in English-language of 439,647 ebook titles and 102,359 audiobook titles and, while there are 31,906 comics, 24,488 movies, and 3,914 television selections.

Oh wow, good to know!!
Thanks

 

[Imzadi]

Got my new library card and set up on Libby, will do Hoopla next, but the librarian said it’s mostly tv, movies and comics?

Are you still a resident of CA, as your profile says? If you got your library card at a small library the clerk may not have told you that residents of CA have access to other CA library's collections too.

I'm not talking about the Inter-Library Loan (ILL) system. I'm talking about being able to have a digital library card to some of the bigger libraries in CA. Since you want to borrow audio books (and maybe eBooks in the future,) all that is via downloading the book files. You aren't getting a physical book, so you never have to physically visit the libraries. You borrow everything online.

You want to borrow the audio books directly from each library rather than go through the ILL borrowing system. Members who borrow a book directly from the library may get first priority over those going through ILL. You want this especially for books you will be waitlisted and put a hold on a book due to popularity. (When I wanted Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, I was #536 on the waitlist. I finally got the book some 7 months later. And that's with our library having something like 36 copies of the book. When there is a book I really, really want, I will put a hold at the main NY Public Library as well as Brooklyn & Queens. I'm a member of each library as they each have different collections and amount of books. As soon as the book I want becomes available at one library, I cancel the holds at the other libraries so others can move up the line.)

Here is the San Francisco Library page. It says one only needs to be a resident of CA. Then scroll down to click on Digital Access. (if you want to get a physical card or to borrow physical books you have to go to an actual SF library to get the card.)
https://sfpl.libanswers.com/faq/65116

SF Library audio book page:
https://sfpl.org/books-and-media/eaudiobooks

If you are ever down in the Los Angeles area get an LA Public Library card. They have one of the largest book collections in the U.S.
I *think* you have to actually go in and present your info to get a card, then an e-card. But, after that your library card is good for 3 years.
https://lapl.org/about-lapl/borrower-services#apply

But, if they are part of the ILL system and they should be, you'd have access to their collections.

This list came up on Reddit for "California Universal Borrowing":
California Universal Borrowing

 

[Blerghityblergh]

I was just looking into something called "Libby", sounds like a good way to go, & supports my local library.

Libby is the best!! I have read so many books through Libby. Sometimes you have to wait a couple weeks but I find the wait is often lower than what they estimate. And yes, supports the local library!

 

[Chili327]

@Imzadi yes they did tell me I could get a card at many libraries, and mentioned SF in particular (and Sacto), but I’m new to audiobooks, so I’ll see if I even get any use out of it before I spread out.