Streaming audiobooks will give readers instant access to their library's digital audio content via OverDrive Media Console apps.

As if our audiobook blowout sale weren’t reason enough to rejoice that June Is Audiobook Month, earlier today we announced that we’re working to bring streaming audiobooks to libraries and schools. We’ll be incorporating instant-access technology into the OverDrive Media Console apps, supplementing our longstanding support for audiobook downloads.

Scheduled for launch later this year, streaming audiobooks will give readers a quick-and-easy way to access their library’s digital audio content via OverDrive Media Console apps for Windows®, Mac®, iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, Windows® Phone and BlackBerry®. The technology will increase discovery for libraries’ existing audiobook content by allowing patrons to immediately sample excerpts without waiting for files to download.

We’ll also be integrating streaming audiobooks into OverDrive Media Station, new technology that enables in-library discovery and access to digital content on touchscreen monitors and public Internet workstations. OverDrive Media Station, streaming audiobooks, OverDrive APIs, and the OverDrive Read™ browser-based eReading experience are all part of OverDrive’s next-generation platform. To sneak a peek at these new features, visit us at the American Library Association’s 2012 Annual Conference (Booth 1362) in Anaheim, Calif., June 21-26.

Michael Lovett is Public Relations & Social Media Specialist at OverDrive.