Boulder Public Library (BPL) will phase audio cassette tapes out of its collection for adults by mid-July. The audio tapes are being eliminated due to declining circulation. Eliminating the adult cassette tape collection will free up more space on the shelves for the higher-circulating CDs, DVDs and other media.

Children’s books on cassette tapes will remain available, as that collection continues to circulate well.

BPL currently has 950 audio tapes, all books, in its collection, with only 175 checked out as of June 8. In comparison, BPL has 3,869 books on CD in the collection, and 1,740 were checked out as of June 8. Music cassette tapes were phased out about 10 years ago.

“Circulation for cassette tapes has continued to decline for years, with more and more of the tapes sitting on the shelves gathering dust,” said Reference Manager Laura Hankins.

Library patrons at the Main Library and the Meadows Library Branch will be able to purchase the cassette tapes directly off the shelves, as-is, for $1 each on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. All sales are final. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new audio materials for the collection, audio books on CD and downloadable books. Any items not sold will be donated to local charities.