Abstract

 
 
 The use of audiobooks has risen significantly during the last few years in Sweden, a trend reflected in increasing demands for public libraries to provide their users with these books. Digital books are by no means a new phenomenon in public libraries, but the marked interest in borrowing audiobooks and new ways of distributing have led to changes in public libraries’ digital services and a redistribution of media budgets. This article describes who the audiobook users are and which other media they use. Building on this information, the article asks what challenges the demographic data of audiobook users – such as gender, age, and level of education – may pose for public libraries. Based on a quantitative analysis of survey data from Sweden, it is concluded that audiobook use is more common among young, well-educated people with a high level of digital literacy. Subscription services appear to be more popular among audiobook users, as their sale numbers are higher than lending numbers at public libraries. Nevertheless, the conclusions are that audiobooks have a place in public libraries, as they increase the service to communities and have the potential to reach new users. However, it is unclear if public libraries are reaching new groups by offering audiobooks; although the use of digital public library services is increasing, these services are mainly used by people who are already library visitors, and the public library seems to be primarily associated with the printed book.
 
 
Highlights
Anvendelsen af lydbøger er steget kraftigt i de seneste år, og lydbøger bliver også i stigende grad udbudt til udlån på folkebibliotekerne
Derfor er det et højtaktuelt spørgsmål i biblioteksverdenen, hvordan lydbøger og digitale bøger generelt påvirker bibliotekernes virke og beholdning
Et skridt i denne retning er at lade digitale medier indgå i folkebibliotekernes beholdning i form af e-bøger, film og lydbøger
Summary
Anvendelsen af lydbøger er steget kraftigt i de seneste år, og lydbøger bliver også i stigende grad udbudt til udlån på folkebibliotekerne. Lydbogen er hverken et nyt fænomen i sig selv eller på biblioteket, men da der i de seneste år er sket en betydelig stigning, både når det gælder anvendelse og udbud af lydbøger, mener vi, at forskningen i folkebiblioteker med fordel kan være opmærksom på lydbogen som fænomen (Kungliga biblioteket). I denne tekst vælger vi at betragte lydbogen, i lighed med talebogen, som en selvstændig form for dokument: lydbogen er hverken at betragte som et alternativ eller et supplement til den trykte bog, heller ikke som en trussel eller en erstatning for denne, men som en form for dokumenteret mundtlig litteratur. Tidligere publikationer behandler oftest lydbøger som en måde, hvorpå personer med synsnedsættelse kan tilegne sig litteratur; altså som en erstatning for trykte bøger. Nedenfor præsenterer vi udvalgte studier af lydbogsbrugere og i selve anvendelsen af lydbøger samt studier af lydbøger i en folkebibliotekssammenhæng
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