Library’s audio book players catch on in Henrico

If you never listened to an audio book because you didn't have the right gadget to play it, you just lost your last excuse.

Henrico County Public Libraries have a new collection of Playaway titles that come complete with a digital player.

Each book is loaded on a device about the size of a pack of playing cards. To hear the book, just plug in earphones and turn it on.

A small collection of Playaway titles went on the Henrico Bookmobile in January to gauge customer acceptance. This week, 300 copies of 77 Playaway titles were distributed to library branches.

Two Playaway representatives went to the Dumbarton and Twin Hickory libraries yesterday to tell patrons how it works and offer free earphones.

Patrons who don't have earphones also will be able to buy them at a library check-out desk for $2. The digital players use one AAA battery, which libraries will sell for $1.

At the Dumbarton branch on Staples Mill Road, Lori Rodriguez said she thought the audio books could be helpful in home-schooling her seven children.

"It would be a good resource for the small ones," she said. "For the first-grader and fourth-grader, it could make them have a better understanding of the book. It makes it more interesting."

More than a quarter of the library's 40 Playaway volumes were checked out in two hours. They ranged from the Bible, read by James Earl Jones, to the latest David Baldacci thriller.

Branch manager Deborah Lammers said she saw several advantages with the new format.

"It's attractive because it's so easy to use," she said "When you get to a stopping point, it keeps your place."

Patrons also may prefer the compact size. Instead of a dozen or more CDs for a large audio book, they'll have a single device that comes in a case that looks like a standard book.

For Playaway books that are returned late, the overdue fine will be the same as for other books: 10 cents a day up to $10 maximum per item. The fee for lost Playaways will depend on the cost of the title, which could range from $30 to $90.

Henrico libraries also offer digital book downloads through a different program for people who want to read on their own computers or e-book readers.

Playaway digital books are also available at the Pamunkey Regional Library.

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .