Read-along books now available at Hennepin County libraries

Read-along books allow children and families to listen to a high-quality audio recording while following along with the text of the book without any other equipment needed. These hardcover books feature a pre-loaded MP3 audio player securely attached to the front cover.

Hennepin County Library’s Read-along collection contains over 200 titles, including picture books, beginning readers, and nonfiction titles. Some library locations also offer Spanish, Spanish/English bilingual and Chinese/English bilingual titles.

How to enjoy Read-along books

• Two ways to listen
• Plug headphones into the headphones jack
• Listen through the speaker (no headphones required)
• Read-along books have navigation buttons allowing users to pause, turn the page forward or backward, and adjust the volume
• When you pick up a Read-along from the library, it should be charged and ready to use, but it can be recharged by plugging into a standard 5V USB charger (the same charger used by most Android phones and tablets). A full recharge takes less than 4 hours.

Return Read-along books to any Hennepin County Library location, including book drops, just like all other library materials. Check out your first Read-along book by visiting your local library or browsing the online catalog.

Note: Read-along books are not yet available at Osseo and St. Bonifacius libraries unless you have placed a hold on the item and your pickup location is Osseo or St. Bonifacius.