[Publib] Circulating iPods/Library iTunes accounts

[Scott Bonner]

No, we do not provide ipods or access to itunes to patrons.  We might
consider putting Itunes on our patron PCs, if the latest versions have
overcome the issues they had with earlier versions of the Windows version
of iTunes being buggy and hogging resources.  (I've heard the latest version
is better, but I haven't tested it because I got so frustrated with the
resource-hoggin earler versions that I deleted iTunes from my old home PC
and never installed it again.  ITunes, RealPlayer, and WinAmp -- never
again!)   :)

The reason I am responding is just to point out that, if your goal is to
provide portable players with audiobooks on them, you can save yourself a
lot of money by using a non-ipod brand mp3 player.  You can get them for 20
dollars apiece, at the lowest end, and much cheaper than an ipod even if you
move into the better quality players.  30-35 is common, but the Shuffle is
at least 50, and has issues (see below).  You won't need much of a player to
store and play a single audiobook.  You should still be able to use iTunes,
and I am sure there are other online stores if that proves problematic.

Also, it has been a while since I last looked at buying an ipod, but from
what I recall, it takes some effort to make the Shuffle play an audiobook
correctly.  You have to mess with the settings to force it out of shuffle
mode, and set up a playlist (If I recall correctly).  That was the case when
the new, smaller shuffle came out (as I recall), but I don't know if Apple
has changed the OS/firmware since then to make shuffle mode easier to defeat
or allow an audiobook to play in the correct order without making a playlist
first (say, by playing in filename order by default - not sure if any mp3
player does that).  That all takes staff time.  Also, patrons won't be able
to tell where they are in the book, due to a lack of screen, and may not be
able to pick up where they left off.  The Shuffle doesn't have a bookmarking
function (last I looked - how could they make it usable without a screen to
find the option?) and I'm not sure if it will automatically pick up where it
left off when you turn it on.  Not all players do, and some require you to
turn them off in a certain way to mark the spot, meaning instructing the
patron and listening to complaints later.  The Nano solves most of these
problems, but then it costs around $150.

If these players are loaners (regardless of brand), what will you do about
patrons deleting the audiobook and loading the player with their own items?
Or hacking the thing's software/firmware?  Or using it to infect a library
computer at next sync?  And so forth.  What will you do with the expensive
little devices when the promotion is done?  If you plan to just toss them,
let me give you my mailing address...

-- 
Scott Bonner, Adult Services Librarian
Richmond Heights Memorial Library
8001 Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Phone: (314)-645-6202  Fax: (314)-781-3434
sbonner at rhmlibrary.org

On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 10:44 AM, Jennifer Salas <jsalas at martin.fl.us> wrote:

>  I wanted to find out if there are any libraries that are successfully
> circulating iPods or having patrons download audiobooks to their own iPods
> through the library's iTunes account (or maybe a library has come up with
> another creative way to circulate audiobooks for iPods).  My library is
> thinking of doing a One Book, One Community program and would like to have
> the book in all formats, including compatible to iPods.  I wasn't sure if
> there was a different way to do this other than buying a bunch of Shuffles
> and downloading the audiobook (we will also have Playaways) or buying a
> bunch of the audiobook and putting it onto an iTunes account.  Thank you!
>
>
>
> Jennifer Salas
> Youth Services Coordinator
> Martin County Library System
> 2351 SE Monterey Road
> Stuart, FL 34996
> (772) 221-1405
> jsalas at martin.fl.us
>
>
>
> *Visit Martin County's NEW Online Citizen's Services:***
>
> [image: ServiceInformationIconWithText-FINAL]<http://www.martin.fl.us/portal/page?_pageid=337,1703211&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL>
>
> click on the icon or go to www.martin.fl.us
>
>
>
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>
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-- 
Scott Bonner, Adult Services Librarian
Richmond Heights Memorial Library
8001 Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Phone: (314)-645-6202  Fax: (314)-781-3434
sbonner at rhmlibrary.org
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