Audiobooks
We have thousands of downloadable audiobooks for kids, teens, and adults that can be checked out instantly with a Library card.
Our two main audiobook platforms are OverDrive and Hoopla. Each audiobook platform is unique and has its own website or app. Detailed directions for how to use each of them appear below.
You can also check out pre-loaded audiobook devices called Playaways with your Library card. A Playaway is a self-playing battery-powered device small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
Learn about our audiobook platforms designed specifically for children. These platforms feature audiobooks, video read alouds, and read alongs, in which the words appear as the story is read aloud.
Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch, and listen on a PC, tablet, or phone.
Audiobooks from OverDrive
OverDrive has audiobooks for all ages. You can borrow up to 20 titles at a time using your Library card. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.
Here are some quick shortcuts to some of OverDrive's audiobook collections:
- OverDrive Audiobook Collection for Adults
- OverDrive Audiobook Collection for Teens
- OverDrive Audiobook Collection for Kids
Skip the Wait!
Hold lines can get very long for new and popular titles, but there are actually thousands of audiobooks available with no wait. Lucky Day! Audiobooks are popular titles that are immediately available. All Lucky Day titles have a seven day loan period and cannot be renewed. You may borrow only one Lucky Day title at a time. If you are lucky enough to get a Lucky Day copy, please remember to cancel the hold you might have on the regular copy! Here are two helpful skip-the-wait lists for young readers: No Wait, No Problem Audiobooks for Kids and No Wait No Problem Audiobooks for Teens.
Audiobooks from Hoopla
Hoopla has audiobooks for all ages. You can borrow 10 Items each month using your Library card. If you have never borrowed from Hoopla before Hoopla directions are available as well as a Hoopa video tutorial.
If you are listening to Hoopla audiobooks on a PC or Mac you can only stream them, so you'll need an internet connection to listen. Streaming audiobooks can consume a lot of data, so we recommend streaming Hoopla over a Wi-Fi connection. If you are listening to Hoopla audiobooks on the Hoopla app, you can download them when you have a connection, and then enjoy them offline later.
Skip the Wait!
You don't have to put Hoopla titles on hold. You are allowed to borrow whatever titles you want, up to 10 per month. However, if you've already read your 10 monthly borrows, Hoopla frequently, but not always, offers Bonus Borrows. Bonus Borrows don’t count against your monthly borrowing limit - look for them on Hoopla.
Pre-loaded Audiobooks from Playaway
Playaways are audiobooks that are pre-loaded onto individual pocket-sized devices. No internet or Wi-Fi is needed. Playaways give you the portability and freedom to take audiobooks anywhere with no connectivity or downloads necessary. We have Playaways for both adults and teens.
- Browse our Playaway collection for adults.
- Browse our Playaway collection for teens.
- For a similar experience for kids, try our audio enabled book collection - print books that have an audio player permanently attached to them. Children simply push a button to listen and read. The next time you visit one of our Libraries, ask where the audio enabled books for kids shelf is or browse this list of our audio enabled books for kids in the Library catalog.
Audiobook Recommendations
Personalized Listening Recommendations
Whether you are in a listening frenzy or a listening slump, you might just need a short list of title suggestions to support your listening habit or to get inspired. Hoosier Next Read is a personalized book recommendation service from The Indianapolis Public Library. Share your reading preferences, and our Library staff will send you a custom list of 2–5 titles within 7 business days so you’ll always have your next great read ready.
Staff Recommendations
- Books You NEED to Listen to
- Great Audiobooks for Teens and Kids
- Narrated by the Author: Audiobooks for Your Next Trek
- For a regular stream of audiobook ideas, try our monthly audiobook list series, Listen with Liz.
NextReads Audiobook Email Newsletter
Would you like to receive audiobook recommendations right in your inbox? Subscribe to our NextReads Newsletter and choose the category "Audiobooks." See the latest issue.
Finding What to Listen to Next on OverDrive and Hoopla
OverDrive and Hoopla routinely feature audiobooks of interest on their home pages and in their apps. What is featured often coincides with current events and trending or seasonal interests. Each also offers browsable subject lists.
Audiobook Awards
The Libby Awards and the Audie Awards recognize the best in audiobooks each year. The Libby Awards ("The Libbys") are presented by OverDrive. The Audie Awards are presented by the Audio Publishers Association.