When Apple came out with the iPod in October of 2001, there was only one thing that came to my mind: no longer would I need to lug around my CD’s, I could now walk and listen to 6GB worth of my music. The opportunity to change albums and artists without having to search for a CD in my case or suffering through another rancid disc scratch was a brilliant and irresistible dream. The last thing on my mind to use it for would be school, and even to this day I hadn’t really considered it as an educational tool. We all are familiar with the Audiobook, also referred to as books-on-tape back in the day. These have now been transferred to CDs, and are listened to the same way. Well, we all can recall our days of the chunky CD players we would either try to stuff in our backpacks, pockets, hoodies, or just cling to desperately and pray we didn’t bump into someone that would cause us to drop it. Technology has now allowed us to transfer these audio files to the computer for easier listening, and the Audiobooks have followed this trend.
Audiobooks make sense in a way, thanks to the growth and expansion of technology. By simply opening up the file in your iPod you can listen to a book as you go, perhaps learn a new language, or study for a test. The CLC Library has now made these accessible to students and members for free as long as you have a CLC Library Card, which is both free and an incredibly quick item to attain, as well as an iPod; Zune and others are out of luck for now. To get a library card, simply go to the first floor reference desk with a photo ID and your CLC ID Number and ask for one. By selecting ‘Books, Movies, Music and More’ on the CLC Library website (http://library.clcillinois.edu/) and following the ‘on iPod compatible Format’ on the next page, you can browse through the collection of Audiobooks they have to offer. There are currently 111 to choose from and are very simple to check out and use, requiring only a library card and some interpersonal skills. I personally encourage the use of the classic hardcover or paperback book over a sound recording, but in a bind when say, I can’t read something while driving, this is ideal. What is great is that you have wide access to both at the CLC Library.
Direct Link: http://lrc.clcillinois.edu/search/f?SEARCH=Audio+Books%2FIPod
