#25 Audio books on Overdrive

I started using my own MP3 player just so I could listen to audio books in the car. I have neither CD nor tape player in my car, so I listen to one earphone and drive, hope that's legal! I am very familiar with both of the services KCLS offers for eAudio Books, NetLibrary and Overdrive.

I find the Overdrive site a pain to use. The advanced search is the only way I use it, but this feature is a bit hidden. If you browse using the left-hand tool bar, it can be very confusing and overwhelming (just like all our other web pages, there are just too many options in that 10-mile-long left-hand column). It's a little easier to go through the OPAC, though many patrons are confused by the difference between the pre-packaged audio books on Playaways, and the eAudio Books accessible through NetLibrary and Overdrive. Here is my take on these services:

NetLibrary - Pros

Easy browsing options

No additional software to download

eAudio books only (rather than several types of format together

Popular titles (including the Amelia Peabody mysteries read by Barbara Rosenblatt)

All titles are always available

You can download as many titles at a time that you want

NetLibrary - Cons

Files are not subdivided, so you have to trust pausing on a single 13-hour track (and G-d help you if you accidentally bump your player and have to fast forward through 12 hours to get back to your place)

I hear rumors that this service might not be with us much longer :(

Overdrive - Pros

Files are broken up into tracks so easier to bookmark

Lots of titles, including young adult and children's

Overdrive - Cons

Hard to browse/search

Have to download their software in order to download eAudio book files

Poorly designed web interface

Many titles have limited number of available copies

You may only have 20 titles checked out at a time

That is all.