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It’s called a Playaway©—and it’s an exciting improvement on the very popular audio books. And now you can check out one at any of the eight branches of the Springfield-Greene County Library District.
But why should you want to?
“The convenience, for one thing, and they are really cute,” laughs Library Center Manager Lorraine Sandstrom, a 50-mile-each-way commuter who is a big fan of audio books.
The credit card-size battery-operated digital audio book is lightweight and portable and, best of all, doesn’t need a player to operate.
“It is its own self-contained unit,” explained Sandstrom. “Just plug in a set of universal headphones and you’re ready to go anywhere, the gym, the grocery store, all the while listening to a favorite book. You can even run or jog with it because it doesn’t skip.”
A limited number of the new format has been purchased on a trial basis, said Lisa Sampley, who is in charge of buying books and other items for the library system. You can find out what’s in the collection by typing in “Playaway” in the keyword or subject box in the library’s COOLcat computerized catalog at thelibrary.org.
Here’s some of what you’ll find in the Playaway© format:
The Playaways© contain one pre-loaded triple-A battery which gives you up to 12 hours of play. Headphones are not provided, but any standard ear buds will work, or you can buy them for $1 each from staff.
Instructions are included, but operation is simple: Pull the tab to activate the battery, plug in your earphones in the universal headphone jack and press the Playaway© button to start.
Come to think of it—Playaways© would be great for the next ice storm, but let’s hope there won’t be another one anytime soon!
Jeanne C. Duffey, community relations director for the Springfield-Greene
County Library District, can be reached at jeanned@thelibrary.org.
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