The use of audio content is growing more popular, but there are still some questions you will want to ask before embarking on this journey.
- Is your community asking for audio books?
- Who are the primary users?
Try to get a sense of how many people in your core service population may be interested in digital audio books. Ask at some local electronics stores how well portable MP3 players have been selling in your area. Try to observe people using their MP3 players in your library. Do many working adults in your core service population have long commutes, during which listening to a digital audio book would be worthwhile?
If your library has a good, current collection of audio books on cassette, perform some analyses of circulation statistics to learn what types of titles are in demand.
Hint: usage of non-fiction audio books tends to cluster around topics, while usage of fiction audio books tends to cluster heavily around authors, and to a lesser extent around genres.
If some library patrons have been inquiring if the library plans to offer them, try to summarize the demographic characteristics of the inquirers.
- Are they busy working adults who like to read but don't have the time to sit and visually read a book?
- Are they retirees?
- What features or advantages of downloadable digital audio books do they seem to find most appealing?
The initial user group for a downloadable digital audio book service probably will have diverse needs--in terms both of their technological needs and preferences, and in terms of their content interests. Also be aware that the user group may quickly develop a "tastes great, less filling" debate between abridged and unabridged digital audio books.
Let's discuss some of the ways that you can determine if your community would like digital audio books.