Washington Middle School is proud to announce that our library now has more than two dozen Playaways for students to check out and take home. These small, portable devices come pre-loaded with audiobooks. This means internet access, apps, or downloads are not required. Students simply plug in their headphones or earbuds and listen anytime, anywhere.
“It’s all self-contained in the device,” explains Librarian Amanda Harris. “So it’s really more accessible because there are probably parents out there who don’t have internet, or sometimes there are internet connection issues.”
Starting off, the library will offer 24 titles, including a variety of fiction and non-fiction stories. Some of these include ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ ‘Wings of Fire,’ ‘Duke,’ and selections from the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘I Survived’ series.
Mrs. Harris went with titles that students check out on a regular basis or are classics to read. Beyond convenience, she believes there are multiple benefits to these Playaways being available for our students.
“First, those who struggle with reading can listen to the device,” she says. “Any student listening to books encourages more reading. I also think it helps students who don’t necessarily have the time to sit down and read. They can take it with them on a car ride and listen.”
Students who wish to check out a Playaway must first return a signed parent permission slip to Mrs. Harris. Each device may be borrowed for one week and renewed for an additional week if needed. Families will be responsible for the $50 replacement fee if a device is lost or damaged.
With Playaways now available, Washington Middle School is excited to offer students another way to connect with stories, grow as readers, and enjoy the power of books — anytime, anywhere.