1. What software is needed to listen the audio clips?
2. Why doesn't the audio clip play immediately?
3. Can the audio clips be downloaded?
4. Where can more audio recordings of poets be found?

More help pages

1. What software do I need to listen the audio clips? Poems on Poets.org are MP3s, an open source format which plays universally on most browsers and platforms. You do not need to download any additional software. However, if you are experiencing difficulty, you may need to install a newer version of your browser, or you may need Flash software, which you can download for free the Macromedia website.

2. Why doesn't the audio clip play immediately? The audio clips are streamed from our server and buffered in the memory of your computer. The speed at which they stream is determined by your internet connection. For example, if you have high-speed access such as DSL or Cable, then the clip will be streamed quite rapidly. If you are using a modem connection, then you may need to be patient and allow the the clip slowly stream before it can be played.

3. Can the audio clips be downloaded? No. Poets.org has permission to broadcast these recordings, but not always to distribute them. However, many of the recording are taken from the Audio Archives of the Academy of American Poets, the complete CDs of which can be purchased from our Poetry Gift Shop.

4. Where can more audio recordings of poets be found? Poets.org sells CDs of many of the audio clips on our site. Visit our Poetry Gift Shop to view the entire catalog. Other clips have been provided by HarperCollins and Caedmon Records and Folkways. Other online collections of poetry audio can be found at The Cortland Review and UbuWeb.