netLibrary Teams with Recorded Books.

This article reports that netLibrary has teamed with Recorded Books LLC to create a new program for delivering audio books to libraries through the World Wide Web. Key elements of the program include an innovative pricing structure, unlimited access, the ability for patrons to download to a range of portable devices, and a technology solution that supports download via broadband or dial-up capabilities. Library users will be able to search for, preview, check out, and listen to audio books via the Internet and the netLibrary platform. They can focus their search on audio titles only or take advantage of search functionality that integrates audio titles with all electronic content their library may have in its netLibrary collection. Web-based collections of Recorded Books titles will be available for purchase through either Recorded Books or netLibrary and will be delivered via the netLibrary interface. Library patrons will be able to search for audio books just as they would for any type of electronic content in their library's netLibrary collection. In addition, libraries can view demonstrations of the program upon request, which will be formally lanced in December 2004.