Embracing Digital Studies: The Rise of Audiobooks and eBooks in Law School Libraries

As technology continues to advance, the way students consume information is changing rapidly too.

The rise of digital reading has led to a surge in the popularity of audiobooks and eBooks, and experts say these are viable study methods for law school students. More and more audio books are available, and legal content is no exception to this trend.

Law school librarians should be aware of this trend and the impact it can have on their students.

Legal Audiobooks

The popularity of audiobooks has increased in the COVID-era due to the convenience they offer. Students can listen to audiobooks while commuting to school, working out, or doing other activities that would otherwise prevent them from reading a physical book.

In law school, where students are required to read vast amounts of material, audiobooks can be a valuable tool. They allow students to digest complex legal concepts and arguments anytime, anywhere. Additionally, audiobooks can provide a break from the traditional reading methods, which can help students stay engaged and motivated.

LexisNexis Audiobooks

LexisNexis' audiobook package includes key Carolina Academic Press Understanding Series titles only available through the LexisNexis Digital Library. 

This package includes the following titles:

• Understanding Property Law (now available)
• Understanding Torts (coming Fall 2023)
• Understanding Contracts
• Understanding Criminal Law
• Understanding Civil Procedure
• Understanding Constitutional Law
• Understanding Corporate Law
• Understanding Evidence
• Understanding Bankruptcy
• Understanding Federal Income Taxation Law
• Understanding Secured Transactions
• Understanding Securities Law

All titles are professionally narrated and available for simultaneous use through the LexisNexis Digital Library website or mobile app for either online or offline listening.

Listeners can adjust reader pace or playback speed, skip forward or backward 15 seconds, add bookmarks and notes for later reference or view recent pauses within the audiobook picking up where they left off.

Listeners can also follow along with the Table of Contents. By presenting these respected titles in a new way, law libraries enable students to use their time more efficiently by combining lifestyle activities with study. 

Audiobooks, like those available from LexisNexis, free today’s law students from additional stressful and monotonous studies on top of assigned daily reading by presenting knowledge-building explanations of concepts presented in core classes in a convenient listening format.

Legal eBooks

Like audiobooks, the popularity of eBooks has increased in recent years due to their convenience. eBooks are often less expensive than physical books and can be downloaded instantly, making them ideal for students who need to access reading material quickly.

In law school, eBooks can be especially useful for students who prefer to study on-the-go. The app  allows for easy access to reading material from anywhere. Students can easily search for specific keywords or phrases within the text. eBooks also offer a variety of interactive features, such as hyperlinks and annotations, which can help students better understand complex legal concepts.

LexisNexis Digital Law Library

As law school librarians, it is important to recognize the increasing usage of audiobooks and eBooks and adapt to this change. Here are some ways to do so:

1. Invest in digital resources: Consider investing in digital resources such as audiobook subscriptions and eBooks databases to provide students with access to a wide variety of reading material.
2. Promote digital resources: Make students aware of the audiobook and eBooks resources available to them by promoting them through the library's website, social media accounts, and other channels.
3. Provide training: Offer training sessions on how to effectively use digital resources, such as how to navigate eBook databases or download audiobooks.
4. Evaluate usage: Monitor the usage of digital resources to determine which resources are most popular, and where content gaps may exist.  

In conclusion, the increasing usage of audiobooks and eBooks is a trend that law school librarians cannot ignore. By adapting to this change and providing students with access to digital resources, librarians can help students succeed in their studies and stay engaged with the material.

Carolina Academic Press

The Carolina Academic Press Understanding Series is known for high-quality, well-organized content, and discussion by subject matter experts, scholars and professors at some of the world's most prestigious institutions. 

Listen to a sample of LexisNexis audiobooks here.

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