[Publib] Circulating iPods/Library iTunes accounts

Fri Dec 5 09:38:46 EST 2008

OH, I should have mentioned.   We did set up iTunes on our Teen PCs.  It doesn't really get used.  1) If the user "syncs" their iPod, either because that's how they are used to doing it or by accident, they will lose all of their music.  because 2) based on our login/security system, anything that was downloaded by iTunes is erased when the user logs off, so none of the music stays there.  3)  iTunes frequently updates, and tries to auto-update, and once again because of the computers' security system, it cannot do so.  This leads to a couple problems.  It constantly pops up with an update message and also, since the iPods that teens were connecting were usually far more up-to-date, there were compatibility issues apparently.   

Has anyone had better luck?

________________________________

From: Scott Bonner [mailto:sbonner at rhmlibrary.org]
Sent: Wed 12/3/2008 7:30 PM
To: Jennifer Salas
Cc: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Circulating iPods/Library iTunes accounts

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 

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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 