The Libby app provides access to free audiobooks available at US public libraries - a valuable tool to help manage nearsightedness in children.
Are you a concerned parent in the USA worried about your child's nearsightedness? Are you looking for effective lifestyle change strategies to slow down the progression of their condition? If so, this article is for you.
Significant advancements have been made in understanding nearsightedness. The worsening of myopia is influenced not just by genetic factors but also by modifiable risks, including prolonged close-up activities, limited outdoor time, inappropriate reading distance, and insufficient eye breaks.1
This article will explore an option to reduce excessive close-up activities – audiobooks from your local library. If you reside in the USA, you can have access to a vast collection of free audiobooks through public libraries using the Libby app.
Understanding myopia and the risks of excessive near work
Research findings demonstrate a correlation between the extent of close-up work and the prevalence and progression of nearsightedness. In essence, excessive engagement in close-up activities, such as reading, studying, or using hand-held digital devices, may lead to the onset and progression of nearsightedness. For example, a close reading distance of 20-25 centimeters or engaging in continuous reading sessions exceeding 45 minutes have been linked to an increased likelihood of nearsightedness progression.1
Recognizing the potential risks associated with excessive near work, leading ophthalmology organizations have issued recommendations to mitigate these risks. The European Society of Ophthalmology advises that children should not be prevented from participating in close-up activities, such as reading or using a digital device, but emphasizes the importance of regular breaks, maintaining an appropriate reading distance, and incorporating near-to-distance fixation changes periodically.1
Benefits of audiobooks for children with nearsightedness:
Audiobooks provide a fantastic way to reduce screen time and excessive close-up work. Instead of reading physical books, children can choose to listen to their favorite novels. This not only offers a break from close-up reading but also promotes healthy eye habits. For example, instead of reading his favorite novel, my son listens to the audiobook version of it outdoors, achieving two risk factors for nearsightedness simultaneously.
Moreover, the advantages of audiobooks extend beyond eye health. They present a host of benefits for children's overall development. Audiobooks can significantly contribute to vocabulary and language development, enhance the enjoyment of stories through vivid narration, and help children practice essential skills such as attentive listening and concentration.
What is the Libby app?
While there are many audiobook platforms available, in this article, I'd like to discuss Libby, a free app that enables those of you living in the USA to borrow audiobooks from your local library.
My interest in Libby sparked when my son expressed a desire to listen to a novel, which unfortunately wasn't available on Epic, the paid subscription based service that we use. Initially, I didn’t check Libby, assuming if a paid service doesn’t have it, why would a free service have it? However, to my surprise, the audiobook was available from our local library through the Libby app.
Upon closer examination, I discovered that the Libby app offers an extensive collection of free audiobooks curated for children and teens, accompanied by a kid-friendly interface. The Libby app allows users to both stream and download books for offline reading or listening – great for traveling. Additionally, it supports Kindle, making ebooks without audiobook versions available in audio by tapping into text-to-speech technology.
The best part of the Libby app is that it is a service that directly connects to your local library, granting access to their entire database of ebooks and audiobooks for free. This implies that anyone with a library card from the USA can enjoy the vast selection of content from their local library entirely without paying for a subscription and at their fingertips!
Free audiobooks through the Libby app
The Libby app works with public libraries that collaborate with OverDrive, a platform adopted by around 90% of public libraries in the USA and Canada.
With my existing library card, I was able to sign up in no time and began borrowing the free audiobooks my son was interested in. Download the app on your phone, tablet, Kindle, or other supported devices to get started. Follow the app’s easy-to-follow prompts to input your library card details for instant access.
Once registered, you gain access to search for titles available at your local library, borrow titles, or place them on hold if there is a waiting list. The lending period typically ranges from 14 to 21 days, with the option to request extensions. Keep in mind that different libraries may have different policies.
How does the Libby app compare to other reading apps?
What are the pros of the Libby app?
1. Free Access: The Libby app connects to your local library's database, providing access to a wide range of free audiobooks and ebooks.
2. User-Friendly Interface: The Libby app offers a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate interface compatible with all mobile devices, with customizable interface and a play widget for ease-of-use.
3. Progress Tracking: The Libby app displays the percentage sign for audiobook progress, making it easy for users to track their reading.
4. Availability and Hold Management: The Libby app allows users to easily identify available titles for immediate checkout or those requiring holds. It provides estimated hold times and queue positions.
5. Trustworthy Recommendations: Content recommendations are based on quality rather than marketing budgets, as the platform is managed by local libraries rather than publishing houses.
What are the cons of the Libby app?
1. Content Availability: The content available on the Libby app is limited to what your local library owns, potentially restricting access to specific titles. This limitation can be exacerbated by publishers' policies on digital copies in libraries.
2. Time and Number Limits: Like any library, there is a limit on the number of ebooks/audiobooks that you can borrow. And borrowed ebooks/audiobooks on the Libby app come with time limits, typically around two to three weeks. Popular audiobooks may have shorter borrowing periods, leading to potential inconvenience.
3. No Site Exclusives: The Libby app does not offer exclusive content like some paid services like Audible. However, this is also a minor point since the Libby app is free.
Using Kindle’s text-to-speech to listen to ebook
In situations where an audiobook version is unavailable, users have the option to download an ebook onto their Kindle to be converted into audio format, utilizing the text-to-speech function. This feature is accessible on many Kindle devices and the Kindle app for iOS and Android.
While the text-to-speech functionality provides a convenient alternative, it is worth noting that the quality of the audio may still sound somewhat robotic and might not match the polished experience of an audiobook. This makes it less suitable for novels or storybooks. Nevertheless, with the rapid progression of advanced technology, there is a potential for significant improvements in the quality of text-to-speech capabilities.
Conclusion
In summary, mitigating nearsightedness progression in children involves lifestyle changes, and this article explores a practical solution: free audiobooks from public libraries in the USA through the Libby app.
Audiobooks not only provide a respite from close-up activities but also contribute positively to children's overall development. The Libby app's convenience and free access to a wealth of contents, along with its support for Kindle, make it a valuable tool for children to manage their nearsightedness.
The Libby app, for sure, will be a staple app on my and my son’s smart devices. Seeing that it also has a great collection of titles that I am interested in. I think I will get my son his own library card so that we won’t be fighting for the ten-book limit.
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