LJ's Audio In Depth Column and Other Useful Audio Book Review Resources To Help you Insert Yourself Into Your Patrons Digital Audio Discovery Processes

The March Issue of Library Journal has increased audio coverage here.

Easy access to the Starred reviews in general and each genre access. 

If you scroll down there is also access to a brand new survey by LJ, SLJ, and APA that confirms the dominance of digital audio. Click here for the summary which also has access to the full report at the bottom. Anyone who helps any reader, no matter which formats they prefer, needs to read this report.

(Reminder, earlier this month I had a post about digital audiobooks here. It is a great re-read after this post today)

Finally, LJ runs these Audio in Depth columns in 4 issues a year, March, June, September, and December. When you scroll down they have easy access to the backlist of columns going back to 2022, all with one click.

Backlist access to these duo reviews is key because often, audio books come out AFTER the book releases, and sometimes, there is an audio that we don;t have at first, but then the book gets popular, so finding a review to go back and check to see if we can add it is important.

Also while we are on the subject of audio book resources, please keep AudioFile Magazine book marked at all times or sign up for their newsletter. This is THE best audio book resource. You can search by narrator and genre. You can see their starred reviews which they call "earphone awards." Everything is easy to search and access with keywords or through their excellent drop down menus. Again, click here.

All signs point to the exploding popularity of digital audiobooks. I have been writing about it a lot. I need you to understand though that even if you aren't the one purchasing these, or your main job is helping at the desk of the physical library, you still need to know about the options. Many of your patrons are searching on their own from their phones to find titles. They are not asking for the help they would in person because they are not in the library when checking e-audio books out.  

You need to be more proactive about making lists of great audiobooks by appeal, having QR codes in the stacks or on your displays to send people to Libby for more titles (or to those lists), and just talking about the fact that you can help people find audio books that they will enjoy just like you help them find print books. Add it to your talking points at the desk. Have staff ask about audiobooks when helping readers. Put it in your newsletters and on your social media. 

Just make sure you are including digital audio books in your general RA conversations. They are listening with or without your help. Why not insert yourself into their discovery processes. It will make their experience better, allow you a chance to gather some data about what they are most enjoying to help you craft better collections in all formats, and just like all RA-- it will show your patrons how useful you are in helping them find a great read for their limited leisure time. The more we insert ourselves into their discovery processes, the more indispensable we become.