What is a Playaway?
Playaways are entire books which have been recorded and stored onto a small, portable device which you can listen to with your own headphones.

Is there a fee for borrowing a Playaway from the Library?
No! There is no fee for borrowing Playaways from the Downey City Library.

How long can I borrow Playaways?
The borrowing period is three weeks, with one renewal allowed.

Are headphones and batteries provided when I check out a Playaway?
The library will have pre-loaded a fully charged AAA battery in your Playaway. We ask that you provide your own headphones. If you do not have your own headphones, they are available for a very small charge in the Friends of the Library store.

How big is a Playaway and how much content can it hold?
Playaway is about half the size of a deck of cards and holds content up to 80 hours of play time.

How does Playaway compare to other types of audiobooks, like CDs, MP3s, and cassettes?
Playaway is the only format of audiobook that does not require a separate player, so it comes ready-to-listen, without the need for a certain type of player or advanced technical know-how. Additionally, Playaway allows the listener to control the speed of the narrator's voice and automatically remembers where you left off when you power down.

How does Playaway compare to digital downloads and other forms of on-the-go downloading like cell phones?
Playaway comes pre-loaded with great digital content, so it does not require information transfer fees, subscriptions, memberships, or even an Internet connection. Just plug-in your headphones and listen wherever you go.

Why can't I add, delete or transfer content on or from a Playaway?
In order to protect the copyrighted works of authors and publishers as traditional books do, you are unable to make copies of Playaway.

What happens if my battery dies before I finish listening to my Playaway?
If you need more than the one battery provided by the Library, we ask you to provide your own replacement battery. Instructions for replacing Playaway batteries are given below.

How do I change the battery?
Locate the battery door at the wide base of the player (the door is covered with the small title label on the wide base). Then, use your thumb, coin or a screwdriver to push the door away from the player so it snaps off. If you need help getting the battery door off, library staff will be happy to help you! Some battery covers may be harder to remove then others, so you may have to use a bit of force or a tool to help it off. Once you have the battery door off, remove the old battery and replace with a fully charged battery. Lastly, snap the cover back into place.

How long does one AAA battery last?
Every Playaway comes pre-loaded with a standard AAA battery that will provide up to 12 hours of playtime. Depending on total playtime, some titles may need an extra battery.

How do I know how much battery life is left in my unit?
The Playaway LCD has a small battery icon that is displayed on screen. There are three levels of battery life reflected in the icon. When one bar is left in the battery icon, you have 20% power left.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT A LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER!