The Spoken World

Why Libraries Matter in the Audiobook Era

Audiobook listening is closely associated with “brand name” platforms, but another driving force in the format’s rising popularity is your public library.  According to the new Audio Publishers Association 2026 Consumer Survey, nearly half of listeners have borrowed audiobooks through a digital library app. On June 23, for a special “live podcast” on LinkedIn, Christopher Kenneally and The Spoken World welcomed guests Heather Booth (Booklist), Sarah Hashimoto, (Library Journal/School Library Journal), Brad Rose (Hoopla Digital), and Jennifer Rubins (Penguin Random House) for a discussion on the role public libraries play to expand access to audiobooks, encourage reading habits in children and adults, and open new pathways into books for communities of all backgrounds.

Selling Books With Audiobooks on Spotify

When people listen to audiobooks instead of reading books in print or digital, does reading itself win or lose? Duncan Bruce, Director of Audiobook Partnerships and Licensing at Spotify, is helping shape how millions of people discover stories through audiobooks. He tells Christopher Kenneally that innovations like PageMatch, which lets readers move seamlessly between page and audio, and Spotify’s new partnership with Bookshop dot org, are introducing books to wider and younger audiences and even driving renewed interest in physical books.

Spell Check For Audiobooks… and Beyond

Adam Fritz, CEO of Pozotron, and Robin Lai with John Marshall Media, tell Christopher Kenneally why audiobook production requires an alignment of AI tools and human expertise. With publishers facing intense financial pressure in audiobook production, they say,  AI-assisted workflows will help to hold down costs and reduce turnaround times. And when producers automate pre-production tasks, they free up time for creative human work including casting, directing, and storytelling.

Audible’s Bookless Bookstore for Audiobooks

Audible’s ambitious new “Audible Story House” in New York City’s lower Manhattan is a three-floor “bookless bookstore” that offers a glimpse into the future of audiobook discovery. James Finn, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Brand and Content Marketing, tells Christopher Kenneally that the month-long “pop-up” in the Bowery invites visitors to browse “story tiles,” explore immersive listening rooms, and gather around a shared love of audio storytelling.

You Follow the Story Because the Story Can Follow You

Recent innovations by audio platform Spotify are makinglistening and reading more appealing to new audiences. At the Parix Audio Day Conference in Madrid earlier thisyear, Spotify executive Duncan Bruce explained how these new tools redefine engagement with books and audiobooks throughout the day.