TAHLEQUAH — The book, as with everything else, has mutated into a technical form that defines the information age. This is the audio book.

Starting as a book on cassette tape, the audio book then transformed into the CD version. Less destructible than the tape version, audio books have become a tool to help people read.

Michelle Parnell, youth services coordinator at the Tahlequah Public Library said that older adults with eyesight issues, for example, enjoy the audio books, in addition to young and young adults.

“At the library, we have a children’s section of audio books that many local teachers use,” said Parnell. “Those children, who may have trouble reading, can read along with the audio, and that helps them comprehend better.”

Audio books have also helped those convalescing from illness or surgery.

“After I had neck surgery, a friend brought some audio books from the library to me,” said Marty Barnett, a retired registered nurse. ‘[She would bring me] three or four at a time.”

The friend knew Barnett loved books but couldn’t read in bed.

“So I’d listen to them, and when I was finished, she’d bring some more to me,” said Barnett. “I really enjoyed those books she brought me.”

For many people, audio books are a good way to spend time when traveling, either by car or by plane.

“We also have a lot of people who travel or commute who check out our audio books,” Parnell explained.

Library patron Pamela Kingfisher has utilized audio books for years.

“I started with Books on Tape around 1992 for long road trips with a band,” said Kingfisher. “I still listen to audio books on road trips [that last] more than three hours. An audio book fills the time with something besides music on cross-country road trips. It can be inspirational, thought-provoking or entertaining. It’s a movie in your mind as you watch the scenery change.”

Kingfisher said most audio books are appealing to a wide audience.

“Most of the great writers are represented, because bad writing doesn’t get that far in the system,” Kingfisher said.

Lisa Presley said she uses audio books when traveling.

“Because I travel to Oklahoma City so much, I get tired of listening to the radio,” she said.

However, Presley added that she can only listen to audio books so long.

“You cannot skip the descriptive parts to the dialogue. That’s why audio books move slowly for me,” she explained.

Tahlequah Public Library clerk Marcey Mitcham lives 20 minutes out of town.

“I started audio books when I was in college and had so much assigned reading.”

Mitcham said right now she’s focusing on a green lifestyle, and audio books reduce paper waste.

“You’re never too old to be read to,” she said.

Avid audio book fan Bridget Tobey said that she started listening to audio books while driving a lot, too.

“I have discovered I can get more read this way; and the audio book is so convenient,” said Tobey.

Parnell said there are many reasons people read audio books.

“Audio books are for people who have to work, but don’t get the chance to sit down and read,” Parnell said. “I enjoy them because you can mow the lawn, for example, and you can listen to the book instead of the lawn mower.”

Audio books have evolved into another form of listening while performing some task, just as music has been used for years.

More than 20 years after the cassette, the audio book, in CD form, continues to change, making the newest version into a lighter, more accessible and compact, as well as more user friendly form called the Playaway.

“I like the Playaway,” said Parnell, “because it’s self-contained. You only need a battery and headphones to use it. Just press the on button. “You can even listen to the Playaway in your car if you have the right adaptors.”

The library provides the batteries.

“Checking out an audio book is just like checking out a book,” Parnell said. “Check out is good for three weeks, and you can recheck it if you need to.”

While at the library, Brandy Hayes heard Parnell explain the ease of using the Playaway and how you can use it in place of and Ipod.

“My husband and I bring our kids to the summer program here at the library,” Hayes said. “And audio books are great for my son Hunter. He can hear a book in-depth.”

Hayes explained that Hunter is 7, and she felt the audio books would strengthen his vocabulary and understanding.

For herself, Hayes checked out a Playaway on Monday.

“Now I can listen to a book while I work,” she said. “I can listen to something besides music.”

Doing other things while listening to an audio book, in place of music, seems to be the latest trend.

“I always felt like reading was a guilty pleasure for me,” said Tobey. “Now I have the best of both worlds. Because I’m such a multi-tasker, I can put a Playaway in my pocket while I clean house or go to the lake.”

For those who still have cassette tape players, there are still a few of the old audio book cassettes, according to Parnell. But audio books are still undergoing change.

“Eventually, we will have the ability to check out and download audio books from the library website,” she said.

As for now, Tahlequah Public Library has what every audio book lover needs. If they don’t have it, they can get it through the interlibrary loan system. Parnell added that the library is always open to take requests about ordering new materials.