Does listening to an audiobook count as reading?

I've gotten this question more times than I expected, usually some variation of: “Hey, you're a librarian. Do audiobooks count as reading?”

My answer? Absolutely.

At any given moment, I usually have an audiobook queued up on my phone and an ebook I'm working through on my Kindle. Sometimes I want to sit down and turn my attention to a screen. Other times, I want someone to tell me a story while I'm driving or getting things done around the house.

Different formats fit different parts of my day, and I don't see a reason to treat one as less legitimate than the other.

I originally shared my thoughts on this question in a short video. If you'd rather watch (or listen) before diving into the rest of the article, here it is! 

Reading and listening: Different formats, shared experiences

When you listen to an audiobook, you're still following the story, getting to know the characters, making connections, and trying to figure out what happens next.

The experience isn't identical to reading printed words. Listening and reading involve different skills, and there are situations where one format might make it easier to understand or remember certain information.

But that doesn't mean one is inherently more valuable than the other.

When we start deciding which formats count as reading, we risk overlooking why having different formats matters in the first place.

Accessibility isn't an afterthought

Not everyone interacts with written information in the same way.

For someone with a visual impairment, an audiobook may provide access to a story they would otherwise struggle to read in print. Someone with a reading-related disability might find listening more manageable. Others may simply find that audio makes books easier to incorporate into their everyday lives.

This is where the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) become relevant.

UDL encourages providing multiple ways for people to engage with and access information. Rather than expecting everyone to use one format, the goal is to recognize that people have different needs, circumstances, and preferences.

It’s about providing options that can help remove barriers. A printed book, an ebook with adjustable text, and an audiobook can each offer something valuable.

And when we make stories available in multiple formats, more people have the opportunity to enjoy them.

As a librarian, that's a win-win!

Your library card might already have you covered

Here's one of my favorite librarian reminders: you may already have access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks without paying for another subscription.

Many public libraries offer digital collections through services like Libby and Hoopla.

With a participating library card, you can borrow digital books and audiobooks directly from your phone, tablet, or other compatible devices. Available titles and borrowing limits depend on your library.

If you haven't explored your library's digital collection recently, take a look. You might be surprised by what's available.

And if you've never tried audiobooks because you thought they didn't count toward your reading goals, I’d encourage you to give it a try.

Pick something that interests you. Find a narrator whose voice you enjoy. See how the experience feels.

You might discover a whole new way to enjoy books.

So, do audiobooks count?

For my personal reading goals, the answer is “ABSOLUTELY YES!"

I still love settling in with my Kindle, but I also love having a story accompany me through the less exciting parts of my day. Both formats have a place on my reading list.

At the end of the day, I'm much more interested in whether people are engaging with books, exploring ideas, and finding stories they love than in policing how those stories reach them.

Now I'm curious: Are you primarily a reader, a listener, or a little of both?