Librarian in Black Blog – Sarah Houghton

If it’s a new idea for technology outreach in libraries, Michael Stephens is on it.  He writes about some of the neat things that libraries are doing with iPods: an academic library using iPods to hold audio class reserves and a public library loaning out audio books in iPods.  Michael also comes up with some additional iPod ideas for libraries.

As Michael points out, the big names in audio e-books don’t support iPods–and from what I’ve heard on the down-low from various company representatives, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon.  That’s a shame.

All of Michael’s ideas (and what any of these libraries are doing) can all be expanded–not just for use on iPods, but on any MP3 player.  And there are tons.  And, actually, most of them are cheaper than the iPod (less storage space, it’s true, but enough to hold a book on tape or a course reserve).