Public (Domain) Library: Free Downloadable Audiobooks Online
By Chris O’Neal
1/28/08
I'd like to share a Web site called LibriVox, which provides free, downloadable audiobooks from the public domain: Users download the audiobooks in MP3 format and listen to them on their computer or copy them onto an MP3 player. According to the site, "LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and release the audio files back onto the Internet. Our goal is to make all public domain books available as free audiobooks." Users can take advantage of the full catalog of audiobooks -- about a thousand at the time of this writing.
Because the books are in the public domain, users may listen to them as many times as they want and share them with others. If your students have access to MP3 players, providing them with audiobooks is a great way to encourage their appreciation for some fantastic literature. In addition, you can sign up to be a volunteer reader: Find a book of your choosing in the public domain, and record yourself reading it. The site, started in 2005 for the sole purpose of sharing the love of reading, works on a volunteer basis.
LibriVox is a teacher's dream -- a fun tool to encourage the reluctant reader or inspire your already-addicted ones to explore even more great literature. You'll find Aesop's Fables and the works of Shakespeare, James Joyce, and Rudyard Kipling -- the list goes on and on. How about some Edgar Allan Poe to listen to on the way home from school each evening?
Go have a listen, and let us know what you think.
Another great audiotext Web site
Submitted by Alicia A. (not verified) on March 24, 2008 - 09:14.
One of the teacher's in my school found the web site Storyline Online It is wonderful! Please check it out. The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has made this website available for children.
Free Resource
Submitted by Carla Picard (not verified) on September 30, 2008 - 16:33.
Something that is actually free. Thank you for sharing this site. I am an ESL teacher and this site will help my students. Not only will they hear the English, but they can see the captions as well. This will make reading more enjoyable.
LibriVox Web site is great!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 22, 2008 - 17:58.
Thanks so much for this great site! I am looking forward to getting on to the site and checking it out.
I am sure it is going to be a great extension to any curriculum.
Great idea
Submitted by Todd Lewis (not verified) on March 20, 2008 - 06:44.
What a nice site and for free. I work for a library system and will be placing a link to the LibriVox site on my web page. It is not too often you find something of value for free, that for letting us know about the site.
Great information
Submitted by online book store (not verified) on February 15, 2008 - 02:31.
LibriVox is really fascinating.Those who want to listen audio books can download them by downloading them through online.They can have by using mp3 player.
LibriVox
Submitted by J.P. Tuttle (not verified) on February 10, 2008 - 18:54.
LibriVox is definitely awesome; occasionally, it's a bit annoying when each chapter is read by a different person, and you don't like the person reading the current chapter (or rather, prefer someone who read one of the previous chapters). Otherwise, it's great.
-- J.P. Tuttle
Audio Books
Submitted by Kern Kelley (not verified) on January 30, 2008 - 00:40.
In our district, we've been promoting the use of audio books (and iPods) pretty extensively. Here's a list of sites we've compiled with some free, audio recordings.
http://www.podiobooks.com/
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/
http://www.simplyaudiobooks.com/Free_Audiobooks/dp/202/
What an incredible resource!
Submitted by Kathy Brown (not verified) on January 29, 2008 - 19:17.
What an incredible resource! I teach in a youth corrections facility and it's surprising how many of my students have never been exposed to great literature. I can't wait to try it out in my language arts and history courses. Since I am totally new to this type of technology, I have some questions. The website mentions that some narrators are better than others. What has been your experience? How have you incorporated the recordings into your classroom? If my students don't have access to mp3 players, could I just burn the recordings onto CDs?
I also checked out the site recommended by Jim. Thanks to both of you for the great ideas.
Hi Kathy, I have listened to
Submitted by Chris O'Neal (not verified) on February 2, 2008 - 07:52.
Hi Kathy,
I have listened to about a dozen books, and so far so good as far as the narration. One of them was a pretty fast reader, but once I got used to it, it was fine. The others were all very well done.
My daughter's teacher has used these books numerous times for students of all academic levels - enrichment, extensions, back-up for struggling readers, and so on.
Yes, the agreement allows you to burn them to CDs. Isn't that fantastic!
Chris
LibriVox is an excellent
Submitted by Kathy Kunselman (not verified) on January 29, 2008 - 17:03.
LibriVox is an excellent idea. As a teacher, I have many students who are poor readers. This gives them an excellent opportunity to hear the story as well as following along. I believe it could help with their comprehension.
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