Maybe it goes back to pleasant recollections of being read to as youngsters. Or maybe it’s just the convenience.

Whatever the reasons, these days it’s as likely that you will be listening to a book rather than reading it. Audio books, and its new cousin, Playaway, are highly popular with Springfield-Greene County Library patrons.

“People are mobile and busier,” says Lisa Sampley, who oversees the library’s more than $2 million materials budget. “Audio books fit  into that lifestyle. . .in your car, walking, working, playing. One patron told me that listening to audio books made the housework go faster.”

Audio books in cassette format have been a staple of library collections for more than ten years. In recent years, manufacturers of audio books have embraced the CD format, probably following the lead of the automobile industry.

“We have both in our collection now, but, increasingly, audio book producers are discontinuing the audio cassette format,” said Sampley. “So, in the future, CDs will dominate the collection. Even now, there are audio books not available in audio cassette form.”

Even as the CD format in audio books continues to increase in popularity, a new technology hits the scene that promises to expand the audio book market even more. Playaways, available for checkout at any of the eight branches and bookmobile, are self-contained digital media units about the size of a credit card.

“We are just beginning to buy them,” said Sampley. “We now have more than 100 titles. Playaways require triple-A batteries and a pair of universal headsets, but no playing device.”

About a year ago, the library bought a few audio books in this format as an experiment to test the usability and viability of the technology. It’s probably here to stay, says Sampley.

“Playaways make it even more convenient for us to listen to, rather than, read  books, when we are in situations where reading is not possible. It’s a wonderful thing.”

NEW AND RECENTLY RELEASED AUDIOBOOKS AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT AT THE LIBRARY

“Whitehorn Woods” by Maeve Binchy

“The Double Bind” by Chris Bohjalian

“The Watchman: A Joe Pike Novel” by Robert Crais

“Sisters” by Danielle Steel

“Running with Scissors: A Memoir” by Augusten Burroughs

“Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir” by Frank McCourt

Jeanne C. Duffey, community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District, can be reached at jeanned@thelibrary.org.