3M to offer audio books to libraries

3M is trying to catch up in the market for library digital media lending systems by including audio books.

Libraries will be able to choose from 40,000 titles. Some 200 library systems, including most in Minnesota, already manage and loan e-books using 3M's "Cloud Library" technology and software.

Libraries have made millions of e-book loans and he expects audio books will prove very popular, too, said 3M marketing manager Tom Mercer.

"Instead of checking out an audio book and listening to it on CDs in your car, you can now check out that book on a mobile app from your local library and listen to it on the go," he said.

Most Minnesota libraries use 3M's service. Audio books should be available by early June. Access to a book ends at the conclusion of the loan period. Cleveland-based Overdrive is the dominant supplier of digital lending systems.