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Talking Books

Background
Recorded materials loaned free (by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress), are available on digital talking-book cartridges and audiocassettes. Both digital and cassette recordings require specially designed playback equipment that is loaned free to eligible individuals and institutions.

Every patron is allowed to have one Cassette Book Machine (cassette player) and one Digital book machine (either Standard or Advanced).

The Talking Books and Braille Library is currently transitioning from cassette books and cassette players to digital cartridges and digital players, a process that will take several years to complete. There is a waiting list for Digital Players. Please contact your reader advisor to get your name put on the waiting list. The Library asks that you hold onto your cassette player even if you receive the new digital player since a large portion of the collection remains on cassette tape.

Your playback equipment comes with both recorded, large print, and Braille instructions. If you have questions regarding the instructions, call your reader advisor. Please keep the box in which your machine arrived. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE BOX OR THE RETURN CARD THAT IS ATTACHED. You may need to return your machine at some point if it breaks.

Recorded books from TBBL will only play on the equipment provided. Our cassette books and digital cartridges are recorded at special speeds. For example, the unique four-track format of our cassette tapes allows us to put more material on each tape, reducing the number of tapes needed to record a book. This special format also protects the copyright.

The Playback Equipment

Digital Standard Player
• Plays NLS digital talking books;
• Has eight controls;
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
• Is portable;
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
• Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital machine.

Digital Advanced Player
• Plays NLS digital talking books;
• Has thirteen controls, including a row of controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels of a book;
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
• Is portable;
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
• Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital player.

Cassette Book Machine
• Plays 2-track and 4-track audiocassettes at 15/16 ips and 1-7/8 ips;
• Has ten controls;
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed;
• Is portable;
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord;
• Includes separate instructions for using the cassette machine: instructions for using the cassette book machine.

For additional information about playback machines, their use, maintenance or repair contact the Head of the Machine and Materials Unit at (225) 342-4945 or toll free at (800) 543-4702.

Special Accessories for Cassette Players
Special accessories for cassette players are available. Some accessories require a separate application form. Currently there are special accessories for the digital talking book players in development by NLS. Please contact SBPH if you are interested in receiving any of the following special accessories:   

• Amplifier (only for profoundly hearing-impaired individuals);
• Breath Switch (only for individuals confined to bed);
• Extension Levers (for individuals who have limited use of their hands);
• Headphones (for individuals in institutional settings);
• Pillow Speaker (only for individuals confined to bed);
• Remote Control Unit (only for individuals confined to bed);
• Solar Panel Battery Charger (is for readers who do not have access to electricity); or
• Accessories are on loan to you for as long as you are using the program

Additional Information:
Bookshelf
Braille and Audio Reading Download (Bard)
Computer Expertise
Digital Talking Books
NLS Type Digital Cartridge
Returning Your Machine
Standard USB Flash Drives

Computer Expertise

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Downloading books or magazines from BARD requires computer expertise, including navigating the Web, filling out online forms, and downloading, unzipping, and transferring files. If you have experience with these processes, or have assistance from someone who does, downloading from BARD is not difficult.

If you are not comfortable working with computers, you may find that you need local help familiar with your particular set-up for some of these processes. The specific step-by-step sequence varies somewhat based on which machine you are using to play your downloads as well as the operating system, software and settings of your computer, as well as any screen readers or other assistive technologies you may be using.

 

Braille and Audio Reading Download or BARD

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BARD Login

The BARD – Braille and Audio Reading Download – program is the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's free digital book download service. More than 21,000 digital books and over 40 digital magazine titles are available in BARD with new items added weekly.

To qualify for BARD, you must first have active TBBL library service, be in good standing, have an e-mail address, and a high-speed Internet connection. Downloading books or magazines from BARD also requires some computer expertise.

To register for BARD, you must first fill out the BARD Application Instructions.

After you receive your BARD Login, current users can browse and download digital books and magazines from the BARD website or you can browse and download titles through the main NLS Online Catalog.

You cannot play downloaded BARD materials on your computer. You must use an authorized player. If you received your NLS Digital Talking Book Machine, either the Standard or the Advanced model, you can play BARD downloads on it. There are also currently five commercial machines that are able to play BARD downloads. TBBL does not sell or loan commercial machines.

Depending on which machine you are using, you may store a book or magazine on a digital cartridge or a USB flash drive. If you are using the NLS Digital Talking Book Machine, then use either an NLS-type digital cartridge or a standard USB flash drive (also called thumb drive or jump drive). If using a commercial machine, check the documentation to see which option is best. TBBL does not supply any of these storage media; you will need to purchase them yourself.

Commercial Machines

NLS compatible digital talking-book players for purchase include:

APH Book Port Plus
www.aph.org

APH Braille Plus Mobile Manager
www.aph.org

APEX BrailleNote/VoiceNote
www.humanware.com

HIMS BookSense
www.hims-inc.com

HIMS BookSense DS
www.hims-inc.com

HIMS BookSense XT
www.hims-inc.com

HIMS Sense Notetakers (includes Braille Sense and Voice Sense)
www.hims-inc.com

Humanware Victor Reader Stratus
www.humanware.com

Humanware Victor Reader Stream
www.humanware.com

LevelStar Icon
www.levelstar.com

Milestone 212
www.independentliving.com

Milestone 312
www.independentliving.com

Plextalk PTN2
www.plextalk.com

Plextalk Pocket PTP1
www.plextalk.com


If you have any general questions about operating the NLS digital players or if you have any digital book recommendations, please contact TBBL at 1-800-543-4702 or (225) 342-0035 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

NLS-Type Digital Cartridge

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An NLS digital cartridge with a USB connector and separate special USB cable is an alternative to using a USB flash drive to download digital talking books. 

A separate special USB cable is required to connect the cartridge to a computer during the download/transfer process.

The cartridge and cable are available for purchase from a number of vendors including:

American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH)
1839 Frankfort Avenue
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(502) 895-2405
800-223-1839 (Toll-free customer service in the U.S. and Canada)
www.APH.org
Contact: Customer Service
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Howell Mobility Products
717 Louis Avenue
Royal Oak, MI 48067-4603
(248) 548-1788
(248) 548-1788 Fax (call first)
www.howellmobility.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


National Federation of the Blind
Independence Market
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
www.nfb.org
(410) 659-9314, extension 2216
(410) 685-2340 Fax
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Perkins Products
175 North Beacon St
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972 7308
(617) 926 2027 (fax)
www.perkinsproducts.org,  Talking Book Accessories section
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Twin Ports Low Vision Center
Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind
4505 W. Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55807
218) 624-4828 Ext. 119
(800) 422-0833 (toll free)
(218) 624-4479 Fax
http://www.lighthousefortheblind-duluth.org/lvstore/

Vistas
Braille Institute
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 663-1111, Ext. 1245
(323) 663-0867 Fax
www.brailleinstitute.org

 

 

 

Digital Talking Books

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In 2009, the National Library Service began offering digital talking books and players to our readers. The digital talking book is a new type of book that replaces the cassette tape. Instead of a magnetic cassette tape, the new players use a USB Flash Drive embedded inside the white, hard plastic cartridge digital talking book.

The new format promises improved audio quality while being more durable and easier to use. These books, recorded and played using digital audio technology, provide the same high quality narration that NLS patrons have come to expect.

If you are interested in borrowing a digital talking book machine and digital talking books, please contact the TBBL at 1-800-432-4702 or (225) 342-0035 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By law, TBBL gives priority service to veterans of the United States armed forces who have received honorable discharges from military service. Documentation that verifies a veteran's status, such as a copy of the DD-214 form, must be submitted to the library in order to give veterans priority in receiving the new digital player.

BARD Application Instructions -

BARD - Braille and Audio Reading Download 
Log In here at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped  free Braille and Audio Reading Download program which includes over 21,000 downloadable digital talking books and over 40 digital magazines.


Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions: Digital Books
• Digital Talking Book Player and Cartridge  - See pictures of the digital player and cartridge.
• NLS Flash  - This is a bulletin about digital talking book news.

 

Returning Your Machine

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What happens if your player breaks? Like all equipment, it will eventually need service. If your machine malfunctions, as with any problem or question, don't worry. Simply contact your reader advisor.

If your reader advisor is unable to correct the problem over the phone, you will be instructed to return the machine to the Library and we will send a replacement machine right away. If you still have the original box, just place the machine in that box, turn the mailing label over so the notched edge is in the upper right hand corner, and place it in the mail. If you no longer have the original box and mailing label, then use any available box to return the machine and use newspapers to pad it.

Again, the postage is free. The important thing to remember is to call us if you are experiencing any difficulties with your machine or if a replacement is necessary. Please do not attempt to repair a machine on your own. It is much easier simply to request a new one.

 


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