NORMAL - If you're torn between taking your daily run or curling up with a good book, Normal Public Library and several other area libraries have a solution: new audio books called Playaways.

"I think they're going to be popular because people don't have to do anything except plug in," said Jeanne Moonan, leader of technical services and audiovisuals at Normal Public Library.

Mary Williams, director of the Towanda District Library, agreed. "They're just the coolest," she said. "They're light and all self-contained."

Playaways are about the size of a deck of cards and require a triple-A battery and headphones. One battery lasts between 12 and 15 hours, Moonan said. Each Playaway carries an entire book.

The audio players have fast-forward and rewind buttons, a bookmark for favorite passages, a volume button and three reading speeds.

"They're great to listen to," said Williams. "You can stop them and start them where you left off."

The two libraries and 40 others in the Alliance Library System got the Playaways with money from a $74,100 grant from the Institute of Museums and Library.

Lori Bell, director of innovations at Alliance, applied for the money. She was familiar with Playaways from a previous job at Mid Illinois Talking Book Center. Playaway's creators, Findaway World of Cleveland, Ohio, had asked Mid Illinois to test the players for use with the visually impaired.

"They're handy to have around," Bell said. "So many people don't have a computer or intimidated by downloadable books. This is all in one and you don't have to have all the compact discs."

Bell said the grant allowed libraries to try the players before they invested money in a collection. Bloomington Public Library did not participate in the program, she said, because the opportunity came as the library was hiring a new director.

Moonan said Normal bought 48 Playaways. Titles range from "Cruise Control," "Dirty Blonde" and "Sherlock Holmes" to "Da Vinci Code," and "Kite Runner."

Library users can check out up to three players for a maximum of three weeks. Users must supply their own batteries and can buy earplugs at the library for $1 or provide their own.

Williams said Towanda loans earplugs. The library has purchased 15 Playaways and plans to order more, for a total of 30 to 40.

"It's a great seed collection," said Williams. "They're going out a lot. People really like them."

She recently introduced the players to members of the Towanda Senior Citizens group. "They were really impressed," she said.

If the option is popular, the Normal library will order more, Moonan said.

Playaway offers FM transmitters so the players can be used in a car. Audio books also are available on the company's Web site, www.playawaydigital.com.

Where to get them

Central Illinois libraries that carry Playaway books:

• Ayer Public Library District, Delavan

• Chatsworth Township Library

• Deer Creek District Library

• Dominy Memorial Library, Fairbury

• El Paso Public Library

• Eureka Public Library District

• Four Star Public Library District, Forrest

• Hudson Area Public Library District

• Martin Township Public Library, Colfax

• Roanoke-Benson School District 60

• Towanda District Library

• Tremont District Library

• Melick Library, Eureka College

• Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Metamora

• Morton Public Library District

• Normal Public Library

SOURCE: Alliance Library System; Compiled by Mary Ann Ford