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Audiobook Downloads from the Library

Now this is a great idea:

A new online service that lets borrowers download free digital audiobooks at home using their West Palm Beach Public Library cards is keeping librarians online, on the phone and on their toes.

From July 1, when the service became available to library users, until July 19, only 77 users took advantage of it, Collins said. But since a Palm Beach Post article highlighting the innovation appeared Tuesday morning, another 77 borrowers have downloaded titles in the next two days alone.

And librarians have answered more than 160 phone calls from people wanting a library card, said research librarian Marsha Warfield.

Even better is that the WPB library will issue a library card to anyone in the world who provides a valid ID. Only down side is that the audiobooks, which are usable for 21-day periods, don’t play on iPods. Yet.

West Palm, where I lived from 1995-1997, also has free public Wi-Fi access downtown.