The Library

The library is home to our vast collection of audiobooks. Over 4,000 titles are available, of which some 1,200 are also available on MP3 CD and over 500 are available on line via internet streaming. We are making more titles available in these digital formats all the time. The library is central to Listening Books’ service as it is from here that all of our audiobooks are dispatched. 

Hundreds of audiobooks are returned to us every day and must be thoroughly checked for any sign of damage.  This is why it is really helpful for our members to put a note in the box to let us know if there has been any problem with the title.  The next step is to record the return of these titles into our computer system before re-shelving them.  Next, we run an allocation programme on our library management system which checks how many people need a new audiobook that day and allocates them the next available title from their request list. These copies are then taken off the shelves, labeled, and dispatched by 3.45pm that afternoon when Royal Mail come to make their collection.   

It is really important to us that our members receive their audiobooks as soon as possible.  An audiobook allocation of two is given so that they can listen to one book while the finished one is in the post back to us.  By the time they have finished the second book, they should have received the next title from their list.  If our members are ever without an audiobook for more than a few days, we would ask that they contact the library on 0207 234 0522 so that we can send another one out to them.

The library team  are always on hand to deal with any queries that come in by telephone, letter or e-mail. We invite our members to contact the library if they require a particular title or a catalogue or have any other questions about the service.

We are always very grateful for the many letters and cards our members send to us commenting on the service or recommending audiobooks that they would like us to stock