Lee County Library patrons can now download audio books and videos directly to their portable media players… over the Internet.

Library officials say it’s another step in a trend toward more digital libraries. Actual audio books – what used to be called ‘books on tape’ – are available for download to MP3 devices, PDA’s and even some newer cell phones.

All it takes is a high speed Internet connection, a library card… and a bit of technical knowledge.

Heather O’Connell is community relations coordinator for the Lee County Library System.

“Right from the front page of the library website you’ll see Download Library. Once you click on that you’ve got very clear instructions on where to go from there. And you can see the different types of audio books and videos that we have available. And we also have some help to get you started.”

O’Connell says it does require a quick software download – but that it’s really quite simple. There’s one caveat - it only works on PC’s – not MAC’s, which includes iPods.

Right now about 4-thousand titles are available for download. Or patrons can come into the Lakes Regional Library in south Fort Myers and plug in their device and download it directly. O’Connell says one of the best parts of this service…no late fees. The downloaded files automatically deactivate once they’re due back.

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The Lee County public library system has joined the growing number of libraries offering audio book downloads directly across the Internet.

All it takes is a high speed connection and library card.

Community relations coordinator – Heather O’Connell – says the rate of audio books and videos being checked out has been on the rise in recent years…and now with new technologies like MP3 players becoming more popular…

“Our patrons have been telling us that they’ve been using mp3 players and that they wanted to start getting their audio books to their mp3 players and their PDA’s. So this is a good way to catch up on those recent titles, and do it in a format that’s very easy for you, and very convenient.”

O’Connell says there’s no chance for late fees – because at the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library.

There are about 4-thousand titles so far, but O’Connell says the list will grow. The same service is also available from the Collier and Charlotte County Library systems.