---
title: "Librivox: Open Source Audio Books; You Contribute Your Own Readings"
date: 2007-03-07
description: "$( document ).ready(function() { // Handler for .ready() called. $("
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2007/03/07/librivox-open-source-audio-books-you-contribute-your-own-readings/
---
# Librivox: Open Source Audio Books; You Contribute Your Own Readings
The cool thing about Librivox is that you don't have to read the entire book. Let's say you're just fond of the Miller's Tale in the *Canterbury Tales*. Fine. Just read that chapter. Others will read other sections, and through this cumulative collaboration, a free archive of audio books will soon rival Wikipedia in its scope, usefulness, and volume.

[![librivox](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/librivox.gif)](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/2007/03/librivox.gif)

In fact, during the month of January alone, Librivox put out more audio books (37 books instead of 36) than Random House, one of the largest publishers of audio books in the U.S., explains Hugh Mcquire from Podcamp Toronto, who gave the full scoop on Librivox at his podcamp talk, ["How to Get 2,427 People to Podcast for a Common Cause."](http://podcamptoronto.pbwiki.com/MediaArchive) Librivox published more than 300 audio books last year.

One appeal of Librivox is the variety of reading voices. An old woman with a warm husky voice may entrance with her reading. Another man with a strong Siberian accent may read the very next chapter. My personal favorite would be to hear the Geico Gecko narrate something. Then hear Andre Codrescu. Strung in a row, the variety must be suspenseful and entertaining as the stories themselves.

I e-mailed a friend who regularly listens to audio books and explained the concept of Librivox. Her reaction? Nice idea, but unless there's a monetary incentive for contributing readings, she won't be doing it soon.