Today I’d like to look at a reader’s question. I got this email from Paul Adasiak:

Several libraries in the state have signed up recently for audiobooks from OverDrive. You may know that OverDrive digital audiobooks are formatted in Microsoft Windows Media Audio format, and that the software for downloading and listening to them can be run only in Microsoft Windows.

As a home user of MEPIS Linux (Debian/Ubuntu derivative), I cannot use OverDrive. And, were my public library to go over to Linux, nobody there would be able to use it, nor show Windows-running patrons how to use it.

Possible angles on this (that I see) are: (1) success stories of how libraries have incorporated multiple operating systems into their public-access computers; (2) long-term strategies for libraries to leverage cross-platform products from commercial producers; and (3) alternate sources of open-format, platform-independent audiobooks.

I think this is an interesting point/question. I’d love to hear what other libraries are doing about this. I always like to remind librarians that it’s our job to provide information to all users equally - and by using a product like this one you’re not only cutting out the people with open-source operating systems, but it sounds like it also makes it so that Mac users can’t access this information.

I too would love to hear answers to Paul’s questions:

1. success stories of how libraries have incorporated multiple operating systems into their public-access computers

2. long-term strategies for libraries to leverage cross-platform products from commercial producers
3. alternate sources of open-format, platform-independent audiobooks

I’d even add to that list - with products like this in use, how can libraries even consider switching their in-house operating systems?

Comments are open - let’s hear from our readers!

This entry was posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 8:07 am by Nicole C. Engard and is filed under Open Source. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.