SCARBOROUGH — Hands-free listening by accessing podcasts and books on a mobile device will be the focus of the Scarborough Public Library’s latest digital literacy offering. Free and open to the public, this brand-new course will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the library’s meeting room.

The Library’s “Hands-Free Listening: Podcasts and Books on your Mobile Device” course grew out the library’s earlier course offerings on iPhone basics. Android phone basics will be offered in early 2023. Learn how to listen to audiobooks for free on your mobile device using the cloudLibrary app and your library card. Then, enjoy an introduction to the world of podcasts with a focus on how to find content that interests you, how to play the podcast content on your mobile device, and how to set up notifications about new episodes of your podcast favorites. A podcast is a digital audio file that can be streamed or downloaded to a PC or mobile device for listening at a time convenient to the user. Often produced as a series or in weekly installments, listeners can subscribe to a podcast and automatically receive the latest episode.

“The popularity of podcasts exploded during the pandemic and with one dedicated to nearly every interest — true crime, technology, personal finance, and politics to name a few — there is no shortage of content from which to choose. If you haven’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet, now is your chance!,” Assistant Library Director/Adult Services Manager Catherine Morrison said.

Morrison and Hailie Posey of the Adult Services/Reference team will instruct this course. Seating is limited; register to reserve aseat by visiting https://www.scarboroughlibrary.org/events/podcasts_and_audiobooks. Contact the Adult Reference Desk with any additional questions by emailing askSPL@scarboroughlibrary.org or by calling 883-4723 option 4.