Boost Reading Skills with Playaway® Bookpacks

The library has added a unique item to our collection--Playaway Bookpacks.

What are they?

You may be familiar with Playaway audiobooks, small portable players with a recording of a single book on them. Playaway bookpacks combine a Playaway player with a print copy of the same book that is recorded on the player. The player allows the listener to listen at three different reading speeds, so less confident readers can choose the slowest pace while those with more confidence can speed things up a bit.

Why would I want to use Playaway Bookpack?

You may be curious as to why someone would want to listen to a book while reading it at the same time. One important reason: To build reading skills. Research shows that emerging and struggling readers, auditory and special education learners, and ESL students improve reading comprehension and retention, vocabulary skills, build phonemic awareness and fluency, and more when they pair reading with simultaneous listening.

Think of it this way: When a person is learning a new skill, they have more success when they use more than one sense. So by reading and listening at the same time they are combining sight + sound which equals a much higher rate of success!

Who can benefit from using a Playaway Bookpack?

Emerging and Struggling readers--anyone who is learning to read for the first time or who struggles with reading. We have Bookpacks for all age levels, from children to adults.

Learners who have special needs and auditory learners

English as a Second Language Learners--one advantage for these learners is that as they hear the words being said, they are learning the proper pronunciation.

Tutors, teachers, and parents who are working with these types of learners should take note of this new resource to add to your toolbox!

How to I find the Playaway Bookpacks?

We have Bookpacks in both our Juvenile and Adult collections. The Juvenile collection is shelved near the Early Reader books in the south section of the Kids area; the adult collection is shelved in our Adult Learner collection, which is in the West Wing. Ask a library staff member to show you where these collections are if you need help.

To look up the Bookpacks in our catalog, type bookpacks" in the search box and click on "subject". A list of all the bookpacks we have in our collection will be displayed.

Here is where the Adult Bookpacks are shelved

Here is where the Juvenile Bookpacks are shelved