Re: [LM_NET] HIT: Audiobooks to MP3 / Audible Info

[Thomas Kaun <tomkaun@GMAIL.COM>]

I guess the real message we are getting here is that these files are
protected by copyright just as books are.
We would not think of making copies of books and handing them out to
students, even "needy" students. Neither should we be making copies of audio
files no matter how much we think this unfair or nonsensical--or whatever
unless we have the right (license) to do so!
As library professionals we need to be protective of intellectual property
rights no matter how easy technology makes it for us to "do the wrong
thing."
It's unfortunate that Audible has taken this step but I have feeling they
knew that their property was being used in questionable ways.
Tom Kaun

On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 11:55 AM, Anne-Marie Gordon
<media.teatime@gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi, folks.
> After reading the Hit on various ways to checkout mp3 audiobooks to
> students, I contacted Audible for information.  The response was: "At this
> time, unfortunately, Audible has discontinued its services to all
> libraries and schools for the foreseeable future. No new library or school
> purchase orders will be accepted and no new accounts will be created.
> Current library and school accounts having any remaining account balance
> (cash, coupons or credits) will be able to draw down all such balances
> through December 31, 2008; thereafter, all accounts will be closed and any
> remaining balances forfeited."
>
> The customer service rep went also wrote that any accounts open in the
> future would be for individual use only.
>
> So much for Audible!
>
> On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 12:52 PM, Katherine Starks <StarksK@oacsd.org>
> wrote:
> > Several people expressed interest in what others were doing to have
> audiobooks available on checkoutable MP3 players, so here is a HIT of the
> responses I received. Obviously the jury's still out on the best, most
> cost-effective, copyright-good method:
> >
> > *I want to know anything you find out. My IT guy (who is usually the
> paragon of copyright ethics) told me to take my library CD's of To Kill a
> Mockingbird, Secret Life of Bees and other titles that need to be shared by
> resource students, and upload them to iTunes.
> >
> > Once they're in iTunes, they can be downloaded to a student's mp3. That
> can't be legal?
> >
> > *I you have an education account with Audible.com you can load a book on
> > up to three platforms (ipod, computer, etc) at any one time.  I works
> > wonderfully.  I can have three copies of the same book checked out at
> > the same time.
> >
> > *We have our kids bring in their public library cards and download titles
> > for free from the public library.  There is a limit of 8 concurrent
> > downloads per title, tho.
> >
> > For classroom use, we use a jackbox with an MP3 player, and up to 4 kids
> > can listen simultaneously with headphones.
> >
> > For larger groups, we connect a set of old computer speakers to the MP3
> > player so an entire class can listen.
> >
> > *Audible is a complicated option.  You can only download to three
> machines, so if you are circulating 10, it's tough to keep track.  It also
> needs to be converted to the correct format for many machines.  I like their
> selection but not the limitations.
> >
> > *How much do you pay for an MP3 player?  How much time does it take to
> > download, catalog, and package the audio book?  I find the Playaways
> > worth the $30-40 as the other alternative is very time intensive. Just
> > my IMHO
> >
> > *Have you checked into www.netlibrary.com?  It's a service that enables
> users to "check out" and download audiobooks in MP3 format for 3 weeks.
>  They seem to have mainly Recorded Books materials.  I signed up for an
> account through my local library - so they're free.  I somehow think they
> are now taking accounts directly from the public.  So, this would be a way
> for each student to sign up for an account and download a book for
> themselves.  After 3 weeks, the file no longer plays.
> >
> > Some down-sides: they have a limited selection of titles - about 250 in
> the children's section.  They also have a YA section.  The files come
> accross as one title, so I have to remember my place and scroll through if
> I've listened to music in between.  They are not compatible with iPods,
> because of the software they use.
> >
> > good luck!
> >
> > *My professor in Children's Lit downloads books from itunes for his
> ishuffles
> > he loans out.
> >
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>
>
> --
> Anne-Marie Gordon, NBCT
> Library Media Specialist
> Livonia Primary Library
> Livonia, NY
> agordon@livoniacsd.org
> media.teatime@googlemail.com
> Resources wiki:squareone.pbwiki.com
> Webpage: http://classrooms.livoniacsd.org/agordon/
> Blog: repurpose.edublogs.org
>
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-- 
Thomas T. Kaun
Teacher Librarian
Bessie Chin Library @ Redwood High School
395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939
tomkaun@gmail.com | Library Web site: http://rhslibrary.org | Professional
development blog: http://tomlmt2.blogspot.com/ | Library news blog:
http://libraryleaves.blogspot.com

Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day,
something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else
would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of
unanimity.
 - Christopher Morley

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