Image: Library of Congress
June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate a format that has revolutionized how we “read.” Far from being a new invention, audiobooks have a rich history and have opened up the world of literature to countless individuals. It is also a great time for adults and seniors who love stories, but struggle to read due to visual impairments and other disabilities with a free 60-day trial of Bookshare.
A journey through sound: the history of audiobooks
The story of audiobooks began in the 1930s, when the American Foundation for the Blind collaborated with the Library of Congress to create “talking books” on vinyl records for visually impaired readers. These early recordings brought educational content and classics like The Declaration of Independence and Shakespeare to audiences who could not read traditional books.
By the 1970s and ’80s, audiobooks found a home on cassette tapes, making them portable and more widely available to people with and without disabilities. The publishing industry began distributing wider genres of books, and public libraries and bookstores started offering shelves of spoken-word treasures—perfect for long commutes or evenings of relaxation.
In the 1990s, sound quality and durability improved with the transition to compact discs (CDs).
The 2000s ushered in a new era of digitized audiobooks and an abundance of streaming services and apps, providing unprecedented access to bestsellers, new releases, classics, and literature on our smartphones and web-enabled devices.
Breaking down barriers with audiobooks
The evolution of audiobooks is a testament to their power in breaking down barriers to literature. For many, they are not just a convenience but a necessity. They provide an alternative way to access the written word for people who cannot read traditional books. Blind readers or adults losing their vision can engage with books independently and enjoy the same literary experiences as sighted readers. Audiobooks make it easier for people with dyslexia to decode and comprehend. For people with physical limitations, audiobooks remove the strain of holding heavy books and turning pages.
As we celebrate Audiobook Appreciation Month, it’s worth recognizing that audiobooks represent more than just a technological advancement – they embody the democratization of literature and learning.
Celebrate with 60 Days of Bookshare
If you or someone you know has a visual impairment, dyslexia, or a physical disability that makes reading difficult, there’s even more reason to celebrate. Bookshare is offering a 60-day free trial to its vast collection of over 1.3 million titles, including NY Times best sellers, award-winning authors, newest releases, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, magazines, and more. Bookshare audiobooks and accessible ebooks are designed specifically for people with disabilities who cannot read traditional books and empower readers to customize their experience in ways that work for them. Listen to books in high-quality audio, change voices, adjust reading speed, follow along with highlighted text, read in braille or large text, and more! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy books in a format that works best for you.
Try Bookshare for 60 days for free today
Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!