Doing the library shuffle

The Newport Beach Public Library has exciting news for book lovers

and technology lovers too. Beginning July 6, we’ll be checking out

audio books on iPod Shuffles.

The iPod Shuffle is a compact digital audio player, about the size

of a pack of gum and not much heavier than a car key. They are

stylish, fun and easy to use.

Each iPod Shuffle will be loaded with one audio book and then be

available for patrons to check out. Circulation will be similar to

other library items -- the audio books will be listed under title and

author in the library catalog, with a special designation in the

record to indicate the iPod format.

Holds can be placed on them, as with other items. The iPods can be

checked out for two weeks at a time with no renewals.

With 15 iPods in circulation, we’ll be offering a variety of

high-demand nonfiction and fiction titles.

Sue Monk Kidd’s new novel is sure to appeal to fans of her debut

book, “The Secret Life of Bees.” In “The Mermaid Chair,” Jessie

Sullivan is summoned home to deal with a family situation and has to

reevaluate her marriage in light of a new attraction.

We also have titles for those more interested in thrillers and

crime novels. In “The Closers,” by Michael Connelly, detective Harry

Bosch returns to the Los Angeles Police Department after three years

of retirement. Now working on cold cases, he’s using cutting-edge

technology and techniques to solve the disappearance and death of a

16-year-old girl. Harlan Coben’s “The Innocent” tells the story of

Matt Hunter, an ex-con trying to move on with his life when he

becomes a suspect in a serial murder investigation.

Nonfiction fans may prefer the new book by Jack Welch, the retired

chief executive officer of General Electric. He recently published

“Winning,” a book that offers practical insight into his management

techniques and philosophy, endorsed by business luminaries such as

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.

Or try “Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side

of Everything,” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. This is

not a typical economics book! Levitt looks to economics for

explanations of all kinds of human behavior. It’s sure to provoke

thought and discussion, and would make a great book club selection.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is written by Genesis Hansen. For more

information about any of the library’s branches, please contact the

Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.