NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library Contacts:
Lizz Roberts, Community Relations Coordinator
Whatcom County Library System
384-3150 x220 lroberts@wcls.org

Christine Perkins, Assistant Director
Bellingham Public Library
778-7206 cperkins@cob.org

Downloadable Audiobooks Arrive at Whatcom County Libraries
Travel, jog, garden with best-selling or classic titles starting April 1st
(Whatcom County, WA) - March 31, 2008 -

Listen up Bellingham and Whatcom County residents! Beginning April 1, library patrons will have anytime, anywhere access to a dynamic collection of digital audiobooks through a new library service, the Northwest Washington Anytime Library.

With a valid library card, library patrons can use the Northwest Washington Anytime Library link on their library's web site, http://www.wcls.org or http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org, to install free software, check out and download audiobooks to their PC, and then transfer titles to a supported MP3 player or burn titles to CD.

Among the growing collection are thrillers, romance, science fiction, mysteries and popular non-fiction titles. The digital library also features best-selling authors such as Nora Roberts and James Patterson as well as a selection of teen and children's audiobooks.

"This service is great for travelers, commuters, and for those who like to listen to books while they exercise," said Joan Airoldi, Director of Whatcom County Library System. "With so many best-selling titles available, there's sure to be something for every listener."

Beth Farley, Head of Information and Reader's Services at the Bellingham Public Library, listens to audiobooks when she goes on vacation. "No more piles of CDs to keep track of on the airplane," she enthuses, "I'll be able to fit several entire novels on one tiny MP3 player."

Patrons can check out up to three titles at a time and at the end of the 14-day loan period, the audiobooks will automatically expire and return to the Northwest Washington Anytime Library collection. The digital titles have no late fees or damage costs. The service is free to library cardholders, easy-to-use, and available 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

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