Production of digital cartridge approaches
Step by step, each piece of the digital system is coming to fruition for patrons. One area of major progress is the cartridge, which will house the digital book. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has finalized the cartridge design and is currently preparing to contract for production. To some, designing a cartridge is a seemingly mundane manufacturing process. But designing a cartridge for blind and physically handicapped patrons is no easy task, as it requires truly unique design and testing methods. In fact, products for NLS patrons typically undergo more rigorous usability testing than most commercial consumer products.
The production plan
Cartridge production is a multiphase process. Developers approach each stage of production with a strong dedication to meeting patron's needs for the cartridge. The first step is to finalize its interior design. While the cartridge's functional requirements have been determined, some internal components--such as circuitry and software--will be defined by the manufacturer. Once the internal components are designed, the manufacturer will build cartridge prototypes. The prototypes will then undergo testing to ensure they meet NLS specifications and that they function properly. Next the manufacturer will develop production line tooling--the metal mold that plastic is poured into to form the cartridge's casing.
Before full production begins, the manufacturer will conduct verification tests on prototypes. These tests will evaluate whether the cartridge meets requirements for mechanical tolerance, electrical specifications, and the Federal Communication Commission's requirements for electromagnetic compatibility. These evaluations ensure that each aspect of the device performs optimally for patrons that will use it. Testing will also assess whether books can be recorded to the cartridge at a predetermined speed, which will be evaluated again while titles are actually duplicated onto cartridges. This helps assure that the books read properly. Additionally the cartridge must be able to rerecord a minimum number of times and meet durability requirements, which specify the number of times it should withstand insertion into the player. These steps will help ensure that the cartridge meets patrons' needs.
Full production of the cartridge is slated to begin in the spring of 2008. NLS anticipates producing 17,500 cartridges in the initial run and between one to two million cartridges each year into the future. Libraries within the NLS network, as well as other organizations, will be able to buy blank cartridges to record local or specialty books for their readers. Blank cartridges will be available once full production starts.
Benefits for patrons
A lot of care went into designing a cartridge that would be fully accessible to patrons. The cartridge was designed to be easily inserted into the player, especially for readers with reduced dexterity. It has beveled edges as well as a large finger hole in the corner which will make it easier to grip and load into the player. Its wedge design allows it to be inserted into the player in only one direction. It was also important to NLS that all users found the cartridge's label readable. For that reason, the label includes both braille and large- print characters.
The cartridge has many other benefits that will enhance patrons' reading experience. It will deliver crisper, clearer audio quality. One cartridge will hold most titles, which adds extra convenience to the reading experience. The cartridge also plays through on one side; there's no need to flip the cartridge like one would with a cassette tape. Readers will also enjoy the cartridge's improved navigation features. Once inserted into an advanced player, the cartridge has markers that will track exactly where patrons are in the book, allowing the patron to pick up right where he or she left off.
The cartridge's compact design also offers users greater portability. Unlike bulky cassettes, the cartridge is about the size of a credit card. The device will also be more reliable, since it has no moving parts to risk breaking and repairing. Unlike cassettes, it also has no tapes to tangle.
Patrons will find the cartridge to be extremely durable. To ensure the cartridges hold up to patron use and transit, they were subjected to intense durability testing. Cartridges were exposed to extreme temperatures to confirm they would not melt, freeze, crack, or become unusable. They were also dropped from varying heights onto different surfaces to verify they would not break, chip, or scratch.
The cartridge will also serve patrons longer. Since flash memory is rewritable, the cartridge can be reused many times to load new books onto it. This capability makes it very cost efficient for libraries as well.
Patrons will enjoy the flexibility the digital book has to offer. Using a USB flash drive, users will be able to download books onto their personal computers. They can essentially build a library of their favorite titles.
All of the digital system's features will empower patrons and take their reading experience to the next level. Patrons will ultimately get more out of the talking-book program than ever before.
A look back The journey to produce a cartridge beneficial to all users was a long one, but essential in delivering an optimal result. Considerable time was spent to systematically design, develop, and test all the cartridge's features. The process started with a series of user-needs tests to reveal the qualities and features patrons desired most in a digital talking-book medium. User-needs tests were followed by a series of usability tests to refine cartridge models and prototypes and to test the functionality of the device. Most notably, the preliminary design review conducted in June 2006 tested the cartridge's usability, portability, and durability. The design review team examined the ease of handling and inserting the cartridge. It also reviewed the adequacy of its large-print and braille labeling.
The next stage in the development process was to produce functional prototypes. These also went through usability testing in September 2006. Patrons validated the cartridge's design through numerous tests under real-world reading scenarios in homes, libraries, and retirement centers. Further usability testing was conducted in February 2007. This past spring, the cartridge's technical specifications were finalized during engineering design review and critical design review.
While the digital transition has been a lengthy process, patrons can be sure that the product will be worth the wait.
Library of Congress expands digital download pilot
The digital download project, launched in October 2006, has evolved well beyond the hopes of its architects. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, recently expanded the download project's scope, allowing more patrons to participate in downloading and reading digital talking books and offering those patrons improved services. The project has also shifted its focus from testing the usability of digital audiobooks to now concentrating on optimizing the functionality of the download web site. As the download project improves, so too will the capabilities offered by the download project when it officially launches in late 2008.
This effort is the second stage in a three-phase process to implement a digital system. The first stage involves replicating the current program with mail order digital books. This is followed by finalizing the digital download project, which is a new feature of the NLS program. The third stage is focused on duplication-on-demand, whereby digital titles are produced when requested by users. Cartridges are recycled during this process, making it a very cost efficient mode.
"More patrons now have a voice in shaping the digital download program. We will utilize patron comments and the lessons learned during this experimental effort to build a robust download program," said NLS research and development officer Neil Bernstein.
Patron comments are essential to improving the download program, which is why NLS recently relaxed the pilot's enrollment requirements. To date six hundred patrons participate. Patrons enrolling in the program must be active readers in good standing, have access to a commercially available digital player compatible with NLS materials, have an e-mail address, and have access to a high-speed Internet connection.
Interested eligible patrons must fill out an online application at www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb. Once NLS confirms their eligibility, patrons may set up a username and password and learn how to download digital books. The player's manufacturer will also be notified to provide the patrons with the authorization key to activate their players. When these steps are completed, patrons will be able to download a title from NLS's download site to their computers, and from their computers to commercial flash cards, which can then be inserted into the players for reading.
Pilot improvements
The download program offers patrons instant access to more titles than ever before. The download collection has grown to more than seven thousand books and thirteen magazines and includes children's titles and Spanish-language books. NLS recently added books converted from analog tape masters, whereas before the site only featured materials originally recorded in digital format. Larger books are also offered.
On August 31, NLS revamped the existing download web site. The robust new venue offers patrons more features to improve their digital download experience. Users can set their preferences, such as e-mail addresses or passwords, password recovery features, and the number of search results displayed. An intelligent web site, it automatically recognizes newly posted materials and makes these available to patrons. It also offers technical support.
The web site embodies various administrative functions used by NLS staff who manage the project. These functions are not accessible to patrons. For example, the web site will generate and e-mail circulation statistics to libraries on a monthly basis. The statistics, specific to each library, will include the monthly total of patrons who are using the download program as well as a breakdown of the numbers of downloaded books and magazines. Libraries may also access download circulation figures.
The site shares information among libraries, NLS, and third-party hardware vendors. NLS employees, with the help of this interactive web site, process applications, send authorization e-mails to new enrollees, and notify the network when they are approved to participate. NLS also notifies the digital player distributor to activate the patron's player.
While the web site has improved, it is still a work in progress. It will be enhanced continually until the final web site is launched in late 2008. Patron input is crucial at this stage. The first improvement will be to add page numbers to each page of search listings. Rather than listing search results in one continuous page, patrons will jump from page to page. Users will also have the option of receiving automatic daily or weekly notifications of new titles added to the site. Eventually the site will offer access to all NLS digital resources, such as Web-Braille.
Patrons enjoy independence
Participant input on the digital download project is overwhelmingly positive. Though patrons are no longer required to complete a survey for each title they read, they continue to be very vocal on the web site's message board and in e-mails to NLS. Because the digital project is no longer focused on evaluating the usability of digital books and players, input now relates to the operation and content of the download web site.
Patrons praise both the download concept as well as its web site. They enjoy the instant access to titles, and find downloading titles more convenient than mail order. The scope and range of choice is also significant: one participant remarked, "I feel as though I am in a library for the first time in my life."
Other participants praised the detail and care that went into developing an accessible web site: "My compliments to all of you involved in this project. The site is well organized and easy to use. Obviously thought has been given to the bandwidth required for a site of this nature. This project will be a great boon to many of us."
Patrons also value the sense of independence and connection afforded by downloadable reading. One participant considers the downloadable book to be "a revolutionary opportunity to those of us wanting to be current on the news, needing the same extensive level of information to live life independently and successfully as sighted folks do."
According to Bernstein, one of the greatest benefits of the talking-book program, and especially the download initiative, is empowerment. "That's what we do at NLS, we promote patrons' ability to serve themselves," said Bernstein.
Digital talking-book (DB) milestones
Completed
In process
For information on the NLS DIGITAL PROJECT Contact:
Jean M. Moss
Digital Projects Coordinator
jemo@loc.gov
Fax: (202) 707-1690
To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit:
www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2006.html
The members of the Collection Development Advisory Group wish to thank fellow patrons and librarians for their input concerning the NLS program. Ideas and suggestions from readers are key components in the success of the program and are thoroughly discussed in the committee's deliberations.
Please continue to assist us by contacting committee members or your cooperating braille or talking-book library with your suggestions. The group will meet again at NLS on May 21-23, 2008.
Representatives from consumer organizations:
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Readers-at-large:
Midlands Region--includes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Teresa Haifley
Northern Region--includes: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Randy Pierce
Southern Region--includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Virgin Islands.
Lula M. Brooks
Western Region--includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon,
South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Donna Ryan
Librarians:
Midlands
Northern
Southern
Western
Children's/Young Adult
The following announcements may be of interest to readers. The
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
reserves the right to publish announcements selectively, as space
permits. Items mentioned, however, are not part of the NLS program and
their listing does not imply endorsement.
2008 calendars. Listed below are organizations that produce calendars
in braille or print/braille.
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
-Braille DateBook/Calendar in a two-ring binder. Calendar has tabbed
pages of durable plastic. Catalog no. 1-07899-08, $63. Calendar
replacement pages, catalog no. 1-07898-08, $15. Filler paper and extra
tabs, catalog no. 1-07897-08, $10.
-Large-print/braille (36 point) APH InSights Art 8-1/2 x 11-inch
calendar. Includes holidays and moon phases. Features selected art from
the APH juried competition. Catalog no. 5-18971-08, $7.50.
-Large-print (60 point) E-Z track low-vision calendar and appointment
book in a three-ring binder. Each page enumerates and holds space for
four days of the month, with room for notes. Calendar with binder,
catalog no. 1-07900-08, $29.75. Inserts only, catalog no. 1-07901-08,
$25.75.
-Large-print/braille everyday activities calendar in a three-ring
binder with color dividers between each month, two days per page.
Calendar can be used year after year. For children ages three to eight.
Catalog no. 1-08121-00, $58.
The Big Type Company
-Large-print (42 point) month-at-a-glance desk calendar. Opens up to 11
x 17 inches. Includes space for notes or appointments. $11.50.
Braille Institute Universal Media Services
-Large-print/braille (18 point) monthly 8-3/4 x 11-inch wall or desk
calendar. Includes holiday listings and space for braille notes. $5.
Cleveland Sight Center
-Large-print wall calendar. Opens up to 17 x 22 inches. Includes a
bold-tip pen. Catalog no. 026-CA001-L, $10.
Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted, M.D., Center for the Visually Impaired
-Braille 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch desk calendar with two days per page and
dividers for each month, $46.97. Refills, $38.99.
JBI International
-Large-print (18 point) 5768/2008 Jewish reference calendar. A sixteen-
month listing that opens up to 17 x 11 inches. Also available in
braille and audiocassette formats. Free.
The Lighthouse of Houston
-Large-print (36 point) 11 x 17-inch wall calendar. Catalog no. 1400,
$5.00.
Lutheran Blind Mission
-Braille 8-1/2 x 11-inch Scripture calendar. Features a Bible verse
each month. Also available as a large-print (21 point) 8-1/2 x 14-inch
edition. Free.
Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund
-Large-print/braille 6-1/4 x 3-3/4-inch purse-size, spiral-bound
calendar. Includes a separate listing of major holidays. Free.
National Federation of the Blind
-Braille 6 x 6-1/2-inch calendar. Features one page per month, a
personal day page, and a listing of major holidays. Catalog no. BBC08-B,
free.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
-Braille 6 x 6-1/2-inch datefinder and signature guide. Covers a
twelve-month period from July of the current year to June of the
following year. Measures 5 x 3-1/2 inches. Free.
Sight Connection
-Braille magnetic board calendar holds the days and months of the year.
Tiles are in braille and print with raised tactile numbers and letters.
Includes extra tiles. Catalog no. PLU 809, $32.25.
-Large-print spiral-bound calendar with 3/8-inch numbers in 2-inch
squares. Each month includes a page for notes. Catalog no. PLU 434-08,
$10.
-Large-print desk or wall calendar. Opens up to 17 x 22 inches and
features 1-inch numbers and room for notes on each number. Lists major
holidays. Catalog no. PLU 437-08, $12.
Society for the Blind
-Braille 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch desk calendar with clipboard that shows two
days per page. At the top of each page are the day of the week, date,
and month. Catalog no. 20-06-01, $55.95.
-Large-print (72 point) appointment book calendar. Opens up to 11 x 17
inches. Catalog no. 18-02-05, $9.95.
-Large-print (72 point) 11 x 17-inch calendar that opens up to 22 x 17
inches. Catalog no. 18-02-01, $9.95.
-Large-print (36 point) low-vision 11 x 17-inch calendar. Catalog no.
18-02-06, $8.95.
South Dakota Industries for the Blind
-Large-print monthly 11 x 17-inch wall calendar that opens up to 23 x
17-1/2 inches. $10.25.
Two NLS programs offer readers samples of magazines not otherwise
available through network libraries. Subscribers to Magazine of the
Month and Young Adult Magazine of the Month receive a different
magazine on audiocassette each month. For a free subscription to
either program, contact your cooperating talking-book library.
Subscribers may expect to receive some of the following:
Magazine of the Month
Alternates: Backwoodsman, Blue & Gray Magazine: For Those Who Still
Hear the Guns, Body & Soul, Dirty Linen, Dissent, Essence, Harper's,
Naval History, Runner's World, Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for
Science and Reason, Smart Money, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
Young Adult Magazine of the Month
Alternates: American Songwriter, Cosmo Girl, E: The Environmental
Magazine, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Grit: American Life and
Traditions, Gumbo: A Magazine of the Arts, Horse & Rider, Latina Style:
A National Magazine for the Contemporary Hispanic Woman, Motor Trend,
Predator Xtreme, Teen Ink, Vibe
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
Cindy Van Winkle
6686 Capricorn Lane, N.E.
Bremerton, WA 98311
cindy.vw@msn.com
Pete Davis
615 South Adams Street
Arlington, VA 22204
lottie.pete@verizon.net
Anil Lewis
315 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite 603
Decatur, GA 30030
alewis@nfbga.org
414 South 3rd Avenue
Washington, Iowa 52353-1502
teresahaifley@iowatelecom.net
109 E. Glenwood Street
Nashua, NH 03060
alaric02@sprynet.com
723 Egret Bluff Lane
Jacksonville, FL 32211
jerryr@coj.net
(Write "For Lula Brooks" in subject line.)
1237 W. Granite Street
Butte, MT 59701
cliffhouse@in-tch.com
Rene Perrance
Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
388 SE 6th Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021-6340
(507) 333-4828; fax (507) 333-4832
rene.perrance@state.mn.us
Carol A. Taylor
Connecticut State Library
Library for the Blind and Handicapped
198 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(860) 721-2020; fax (860) 721-2056
lbph@cslib.org
Patricia Schubert
Manatee Talking Book Library
6081 26th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 742-5914 or (941) 484-0308
fax (941) 751-7098
patricia.schubert@mymanatee.org
Scott Scholz
Nebraska Library Commission
Talking Book and Braille Service
The Atrium
1200 N. Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508-2023
(402) 471-6553
sscholz@nlc.state.ne.us
Rachel Gould
Braille and Talking Book Library
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472-2790
(617) 972-7240; fax (617) 972-7363
rachel.gould@perkins.org
Newsstand
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
800-223-1839
(502) 899-2274 fax
info@aph.org
www.aph.org/products/index.html
Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or fax.
W136 N5265 Campbell Court
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
800-933-1711
(262) 783-6599 fax
plastikoiplus@mindspring.com
www.bigtype.bigstep.com
Accepts prepaid orders by mail, telephone, or online.
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
800-272-4553
pmansinne@brailleinstitute.org
www.universalmediaservices.org/PublicationsforSale/Calendar.htm
Accepts orders by telephone or online.
Eye-dea Shop
1909 East 101st Street
P.O. Box 1988
Cleveland, OH 44106-8696
(216) 791-8118, ext. 278
877-776-9563, ext. 278
e-commerce@clevelandsightcenter.com
www.eyedeashop.com
Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or online.
1170 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209-0398
(716) 882-1025, ext. 241
(716) 882-5577 fax
dgipson@olmstedcenter.org
www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/Services/ResourceCenter
Accepts prepaid orders by mail.
110 East 30th Street
New York, NY 10016
(212) 889-2525
800-433-1531
(212) 689-3692 fax
library@jbilibrary.org
www.jbilibrary.org
Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone.
Attn: Reflections, The Lighthouse Store
3602 West Dallas
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 284-8466
(713) 284-8451 fax
reflections@houstonlighthouse.org
www.houstonlighthouse.org
Accepts prepaid orders by mail, fax, telephone, or online.
Library for the Blind
Attn: Lynne Borchelt
7550 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO 63119-4409
888-215-2455
blind.mission@blindmission.org
www.blindmission.org
Accepts requests by mail or telephone.
3500 North Elm Road
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-5096
(734) 668-1094 fax
www.mi-braille.com
Accepts requests by fax or telephone.
Independence Market
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, ext. 2216
(410) 685-2340 fax
IndependenceMarket@nfb.org
http://secure.nfb.org/ecommerce/asp/default.asp
Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone.
Library of Congress
Attn: Reference Section
Washington, DC 20542
(202) 707-9275
800-424-8567
nlsref@loc.gov
www.loc.gov/nls
Accepts requests by e-mail or telephone.
9700 Third Avenue NE, #100
Seattle, WA 98115-2027
(206) 525-5556
800-456-4888
(206) 525-0422 fax
csbstore@csbps.com
www.sightconnection.com
Accepts prepaid orders by mail, fax, telephone, or online.
Aids to Independence Store
2750 24th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 452-8271, ext. 302
(916) 452-2622 fax
store@societyfortheblind.org
www.shopsftb.org/servlet/StoreFront
Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or online.
Attn: Customer Service
701 East 52nd Street North
P.O. Box 84138
Sioux Falls, SD 57118-4138
(605) 977-1577
800-223-5145
(605) 332-7047 fax
800-332-7047 fax
info@sdib.org
www.sdib.org
Accepts orders by mail, e-mail, telephone, or online.
Magazine of the Month selections for 2008
-Air & Space--Smithsonian
-American Cowboy
-American Spectator
-The Believer
-Diabetic Living
-Inc.: The Handbook for the American Entrepreneur
-No Depression
-North & South: The Official Magazine of the Civil War Society
-Parabola: Myth, Tradition, and the Search for Meaning
-Running Times: The Runner's Best Resource
-Skeptic
-Urban Influence
-Cicada
-Hot Rod
-LąTeen
-Listen: Journal of Drug-Free Living for Teens
-Realms of Fantasy
-Reptiles
-Rock & Ice: The Climber's Magazine
-Teen Strings
-Teen Vogue
-Wired
-XXL
-Young Rider: The Magazine for Horse and Pony Lovers
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