Note: This is
an edited text chat transcript from the Brown Bag Lunch during the Day of the
Digital Audio Book, an online conference held on February 16, 2006.
[Tom Peters]
http://learning.libraryu.org/LULive/LULive_20060216.html
[Tom Peters] http://www.unabridged.info/
[Tom Peters] http://www.unabridged.info/documents.htm
[Tom Peters]
http://www.unabridged.info/collectionsortpopularity200601.htm
[Tom Peters]
http://learning.libraryu.org/LULive/LULive_20060216.html
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Tom Peters] http://www.mymediamall.net/
[Rita Hunt] Unabridged Question: What kind
of players are needed? What is the format and other details of check out?
[Lori Bell] Rita, any player that plays windows media
audio
[Lori Bell] Checkout is 14 days per book, up to 5 books
at a time
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[julie
lombardo] Are items renewable w/ Unabridged?
[Lori Bell] Julie, yes they are
[Tom Peters] For Unabridged, we have an advisory group
that sets all the policies and procedures for the service.
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/8BDC409E-49DB-409B-821E-C37AD815E070/10/123/en/Libraries.htm
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/8BDC409E-49DB-409B-821E-C37AD815E070/10/123/en/help.htm
[Lori Bell] Most people can find just what they need on here
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/8BDC409E-49DB-409B-821E-C37AD815E070/10/123/en/Libraries.htm
[Debbie Baaske]
http://www.mymediamall.net/8BDC409E-49DB-409B-821E-C37AD815E070/10/123/en/Default.htm
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Cherie] What percentage are frontlist in MediaMall?
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Debbie Baaske]
http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Tech Support] You can visit Debbie's blog
and see her presentation which includes links to the PDFs
showing statistics: http://blogs.nsls.info/academics/presentations/02162006/
[Vickie] Does that price incude
any titles?
[Lori Bell] Vickie, the price of joining includes all the
titles available in MyMediaMall for your patrons
[Lori Bell] Tom could you co browse to the playaway site?
[Tom Peters] http://www.playawaydigital.com/
[Tom Peters]
http://www.playawaydigital.com/index_flash.aspx
[Mike Belsito] Hello there!
[Tom Peters] http://www.playawaydigital.com/whatisit/
[Tom Peters]
http://www.playawaydigital.com/whatisit/index_flash.aspx
[Lisa from LibraryU] Is there
anyone in the room who won one of these during our registration?
[Vickie] I did! I
have Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!
[Tom Peters] http://www.playawaydigital.com/titles/
[Lisa from LibraryU] What did
you think Vickie?
[Tom Peters]
http://www.playawaydigital.com/titles/index.aspx?page=2
[Mike Belsito] And please know
that several of my colleagues are in NYC right now meeting with publishers
because of the positive feedback and great interest we've had
[Tech Support] I have "A Crack in the Edge of the
World" and Learn Italian and Learn German. They are fun to pass around
too.
[Sharon Zuiderveld] Lori, are
the ones you purchased for MITBC available to borrow for our patrons?
[Vickie] I think it has the "coolness"
factor. I also like not needing a
player. Easy to use. Very portable!
[Christina] I haven't seen any yet, are
they available in
[Mike Belsito] Not quite,
Christina...
[Sharon Zuiderveld] Also, if
you have Playaway on your shelves, do you require a
deposit? Is there a problem with them not being returned?
[Mike Belsito] But we are in
discussions with a major bookseller in
[Christina] great
[Barbara D] How do the pricing and longevity of the
product compare to Recorded books and Books on Tape?
[Vickie] I've been thinking about getting "Learn
Italian" on my own to brush up!
BTW, I didn't have trouble with changing the battery!
[Charlee Glinka]
How long do the batteries last?
[Malti P.] How big are they? physically?
[Tom Peters] http://www.playawaydigital.com/whatisit/
[Tom Peters] http://www.playawaydigital.com/whatisit/index_flash.aspx
[Vickie] About the size of an Ipod
- 3 1/4 " by 2 "
[Mike Belsito] Sure...I wouldnt mind...
[MaryBeth McWilliams] there the
size of a mouse
[Tom Peters] Smaller than a pack of
cigarettes, and much thinner.
[Austin Evans] size of a credit card
[Larry] do you disinfect the ear buds between uses?
[Mike Belsito] Sorry, I can
certainly help via text...
[Steve Sposato] How durable are
people finding the playaway after some library use?
[MaryBeth McWilliams] cleaing a good point, how do you do it?
[Vickie] You might want to circulate without earplugs -
most folks probably have a set at home that would work...
[Tech Support] they are about 3/8" thick
[vicki]
How many circs would you get from one copy?
[Malti P.] how
do u secure them in the lib? r they available to
browse on the shelf?
[Mike Belsito] As far as
longevity-- they were built to last for years...
[Kim Bunner] If they are very
small, are they likely to be stolen? Can
security be put on them?
[Austin Evans] Last 10 to 12 hours
[Mike Belsito] The Playaway is very durable-- it was made to be tossed in a gymbag, briefcase, etc
[Vickie] The one that Playaway
sent me was in a video case. Could use a standard locking device.
[Mike Belsito] Many public
libraries also purchase earbuds in bulk and circulate
a new set of earbuds to each patron
[Mike Belsito] I can address
the issue of security...
[Lori Bell] Mike, please put in your email again for
people who want pricing and list info
[Mike Belsito] Each Playaway comes pre-packed in a secure "Library
Friendly" protective case...
[Mike Belsito]
Mike.Belsito@findawayworld.com
[Mike Belsito] I'd be happy to
send a PDF which describes the program and has images of our cases...
[Austin Evans] You can use headphone with the right plug
[Lori Bell] Mike, you are meeting with other publishers
to try and get some additional content?
[Mike Belsito] Well, there
isn't a URL with the PDF...but please email me (mike.belsito@findawayworld.com)
and I'd be happy to pass along the PDF with all information (pricing, title
lists, security questions) included
[LindaS] I am a little
disappointed at the number of titles MyMediaMall
provides as 'always available'. What are
your thoughts on that?
[Lori Bell] Mike, would you mind if I put the pdf up on the web for everyone?
[Lori Bell] Linda, let OverDrive
know - they are very responsive - and want to know what customers think
[Mike Belsito] Lori, I wouldn't
mind you putting the PDF up on the web for a period of time
[sue] Check out the Michigan
Library Consortium group with OverDrive -
http://ebooks.mlcnet.org
[Tom Peters] http://ebooks.mlcnet.org/
[julie
lombardo] Does Overdrive allow only one checkout per
title at a time?
[Joanne Cox] Thanks, Mike.
[Mike Belsito] You're welcome!
:-)
[Stephanie Gerding] Has anyone
used Overdrive's download station kiosk?
[Mike Belsito] Again, although
there is no link for now-- please feel free to send me
a note at mike.belsito@findawayworld.com and I'd be happy to forward a PDF that
contains all info about our program
[julie
lombardo] thank you
[cathy
stepanek] I think the concept of playaway
will be very appealing to users. Do you
think the company will not only expand the titles offered but also offer
multiple book titles on one device.e.g., several books by one author on one device
[Mike Belsito] Cathy, yes! In fact, we already offer several bundled
titles
[Mike Belsito] An example would
be Charlie & the Chocolate Factory / The Glass Elevator...
[Lori Bell] The Playaway
library document is now up on the web
[julie
lombardo] Recorded Books' service is similar to this
kiosk idea
[Lori Bell] http://www.mitbc.org/playaway.pdf
[Mike Belsito] Thanks Lori--
that was fast!!
[Lisa from LibraryU] Here is a
URL for the kiosk http://www.overdrive.com/news/pr/03192002.asp
[cathy
stepanek] Thanks, Mike. I'll check the website.
[vicky]
If you check out a book (ie) download a title on your computer or
other device, is it permanent, or does it "go away" when the check
out time is over? I am having a hard time understanding how this works.
[Tom Peters]
http://www.overdrive.com/news/pr/03192002.asp
[Lori Bell] Mike, thanks. I
can't wait to see your new titles
[Lori Bell] Any
[Mike Belsito] You're welcome--
I've already heard from my colleagues that the New York publisher meetings have
been great, and almost all of our publishing partners are overly supporting a
rapid expansion of our collection
[Lori Bell] Also, anyone here who would like an invite to
join the OPAL libraries list, put your email into the
text box and I will send you an invite
[Rita Hunt] rhunt@claycityschools.org
[julie
lombardo] jlombardo@woodridgelibrary.org
[Lisa Goetzelman] lgoetzelman@hinsdale.lib.il.us
[cathy
stepanek] stepanek@cdnet.cod.edu
[Cherie] mnpublib@mc.net
[Mike Belsito] Playaway circulates just like a hardcover book...
[Malti P.] mpatel@northaurora.lib.il.us
[LindaS] lschehl@plum.lib.il.us
[Mike Belsito] however, we do
have several bundled titles
[connie]
it is our understanding that OverDrive has only one
pricing model. At this time it is cost prohibitive
for our small/mid sized library. Anyone
have a different understanding of the OverDrive
pricing?
[Judi Wolinsky]
judiwolinsky@hotmail.com
[Charlee Glinka]
cglinka@lawrence.lib.ks.us
[Mike Belsito] We're always
interested in bundling titles where it makes sense for the patron...
[Mike Belsito] so yes, we would
like to add more bundled titles in the future...
[Mike Belsito] for now, our
focus has been on creating titles where the cost is comperable
to the CD counterpart
[Stephanie Gerding] I've heard
that some vendors are providing better customer service than others, anyone
want to comment on that?
[Joanne] Which hand held devices work best for people
with poor fine motor skills?
[Rita Hunt] Please tell us about audible.com as well
[julie
lombardo] Mike:
Is the playaway compatible w/ those radio trasmitter devices for listening in the car?
[Lisa from LibraryU] Rita if
you're attending the session this afternoon Tom and Lori will be looking at a
number of vendors in depth
[Debbie Baaske] Stephanie...I
can only speak to Overdrive's customer support which has been wonderful. I haven't had any problems with them
[Arlene] We're a consortium of 73 public libraries in
northern
[Mike Belsito] Julie--
absolutely! Playaway
has a universal in-jack, meaning it works with almost any set of earbuds, headphones, portable speakers, FM Transmitters,
and cassette adapters
[Lori Bell] We have had great luck with OverDrive too
[LindaS] Arlene - what is the
name of your consortium?
[Barbara D] Arlene, what's your homepage url?
[Arlene] www.bccls.org is our website. We've been up and running since January. Our first month had 1215 registrants and 2222
circulations. Consortium name is Bergen
County Cooperative Library System www.bccls.org
[LindaS] Thanks Arlene!
[Lori Bell] Arlene, that is great for a first month of
operation
[Stephanie Gerding] Thanks
everyone! What about Netlibrary's customer service,
anyone have experience?
[Tom Peters] http://www.bccls.org/
[cathy
stepanek] Have libraries using any of these devices
experienced significant complaint from ipod users,
who are probably younger users. Do you think they're "adapting" to
the fork in the road or just using non-library sources for their digital audiobooks? I'm at a
community college where a lot of our users appear to have ipods.
[Luca] Click on the downloadable audiobooks
link.
[Tom Peters] http://www.bccls.org/eaudiointro.shtml
[molliepevpl.org] Both our
Recorded Books rep and OLCL/NetLibrary have been
responsive when I've contacted them with any problems.
[LindaS] Arlene - did NetLibrary offer a consortium discount or a straight price
based on circulation?
[Tom Peters] http://www.bccls.org/
[Tom Peters]
http://learning.libraryu.org/LULive/LULive_20060216.html
[Debbie Baaske] We just signed
a contract with Netlibrary and basically it's $20,000 for 20,000 downloads
[Lori Bell] Linda, netLibrary
first offered our libraries price for each library based on circulation
[
[Arlene] I believe we negotiated a consortium price.
[Lori Bell] Then they gave us a price like they did
Debbie for a whole group
[Lori Bell] Amy, do you offer digital audio music?
[LindaS] Thanks Lori & Arlene
[
[Lori Bell] OverDrive offers
music, but it is WMA, and classical
[Lori Bell] Amy, do you know of libraries offering music
services?
[Rita Hunt] Could we hear a bit about audible.com?
[Luca] BCCLS offers streaming content from the
[Bloomington Public - Amy] no but I think the future will
have public kiosks offering a range of music provided by different publishers
and people can burn their own cds or rather
downloading to their ipod.
[Vickie] We're also looking at: http://www.classical.com/ and
http://dram.nyu.edu/dram/
[Tom Peters] http://www.lobelibrary.org/
[Tom Peters]
http://www.lobelibrary.org/page/page/545356.htm
[Mike Belsito] If anybody else
has additional questions regarding Playaway, again--
please email me (mike.belsito@findawayworld.com) or call me at 440-893-0808,
x101
[Guy Dobson] Hi. I'm back. Did I really win!?
[Lisa from LibraryU] Hi Guy,
yes, you're the winner. Can you email me at barnhart@gridcom.net and we'll put
you in touch with Mike
[Lisa from LibraryU] We have
just a few more minutes in this session. If you have additional questions for
Tom and Lori remember the session on Feb. 28 in this same room
[Mike Belsito] Tom-- that
middle ground that you're referring to is exactly who Playaway
is for...
[Mike Belsito] The great thing
about Playaway is that you don't have to own a
computer, you don't have to be savvy at downloading-- you literally put in a
set of headphones and hit 'Play'
[Mike Belsito] Only 10-15% of
the population has a digital audio player...
[Mike Belsito] and 2/3 of those
players are iPods...
[Malti P.] what
isan average cost for a Playaway
book?
[Mike Belsito] so we tried to
provide a digital audio book solution that almost everybody could enjoy
[Lori Bell] Again, here is the address for the playaway info on the web
[Lori Bell] http://www.mitbc.org/playaway.pdf
[Tom Peters]
http://learning.libraryu.org/LULive/LULive_20060216.html
[Mike Belsito] Malti-- they range but they are comperable
to the retail CD counterpart-- anywhere from $34.99-$49.99
[Lori Bell] prices, titles, etc.
[Leah] Thanks...very informative!
[Lori Bell] Mike, thanks for being here and sharing the
wonderful playaways
[Guy Dobson] visit www.bccls.org/eAudio
soon
[Stephanie Gerding] Thanks
everyone, it was great!
[Lisa from LibraryU] Guy, send
me an email and I'll put you in touch with Mike
[MaryBeth McWilliams] the
direct site visits were extremely helpful for us visual/audio learners. thanks
[Tech Support] We will recap all links discussed and make
them available in the LibraryU modules.
[Ben Watson] Lorie and Tom, as a potential content
provider, probably mostly overseas, this has nevertheless been extremely
helpful. And Tom, sorry for the staticy
microphone. Not sure what happened there.
[Ben Watson] I just now figured out the edit box. For a
blind user this has been a little confusing for me but I'll have it all figured
out by the end of the day. <grin>
[Lori Bell] Arlis, have you
downloaded a book from MyMediaMall yet?
[Ben Watson] Actually Tom, we have decided to move ahead
only not as a library. We're planning to use a player called the MegaVoice player. The Ambasador
holds 160 hours of information and costs about $25.00 per player. Our first
step is to raise funds for it, approximately $20,000 to start with. Most of
these players will probably be distributed overseas, though I'm seeing other
applications for it here in the
[Lori Bell] What formats does the Megavoice
play?
[Ben Watson] Its own propriatory format. Once the material is loaded into
it it can never be changed, except by the library.
That's one of the things we like about it for overseas distribution.
[Lori Bell] Ben, how big is the storage space on Megavoice?