The following material is reprinted from NLS Flash, December 2004, volume 1, issue 2, a newsletter created to bring current information on NLS progress in digital technology to patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals.
What has been dipped in cola, put through a washing machine, dunked in coffee, trampled by a skateboard, run over by a child's toy car and given to a six-year-old boy to destroy? Answer: a flash cartridge--an extremely durable device.
Five cartridges were tested. Five survived. For this reason, among others, NLS settled on flash memory as the new distribution technology for its digital talking books (DTB).
Flash memory--a term coined for the system's ability to rewrite content "in a flash"--is the industry standard for handheld devices such as cell phones, digital cameras and palmtop computers. It combines rewritability and portability with ease of operation and decreasing costs--all features that make it attractive to both the users of DTBs and librarians.
In addition, the flash cartridges will be about the size of a credit card, or approximately 2 x 3-1/2 inches. This will permit NLS to label book titles in braille as well as large print.
"Flash technology will provide readers with a DTB that is easy to use, portable, and virtually indestructible with the high-quality sound one expects from a digital product. It will allow users the reading experience of their choice," says Frank Kurt Cylke, the director of NLS.
Flash was not a rash decision. NLS examined the range of other memory storage devices, such as the CD-ROM and magnetic drives. Until recently, flash memory was priced too high. But now costs are reasonable. "NLS has been tracking this technology for a number of years. Now it is clear from the continued drop in prices and from projections by industry analysts that it will be feasible by 2008," says Michael Moodie, deputy director of NLS.
Why flash cartridges instead of the more familiar CD-ROM? CDs are low-cost and can store a book; however, they are difficult to handle especially for people with limited dexterity. The discs are easily damaged and must be inspected each time they are sent out, or a new copy produced for each circulation. In addition, CD players are fragile and repairs are expensive.
A magnetic hard drive system was also considered. This medium could store as many as 300 book titles on a single machine. However, the drives have sensitive electromechanical parts that damage easily and are expensive to repair.
Based on careful evaluation of all available options, a flash-memory-based system was adopted for implementation in 2008.
It was necessary for NLS to update the current system. "The current analog cassette system is based on a technology that is disappearing. In the future, parts for players will be difficult or impossible to obtain, and the cost of cassette tape is likely to increase significantly. In addition, digital technology offers many features that will benefit talking-book users," says Jean M. Moss, NLS digital projects coordinator.
"Flash memory is more durable, easier to handle, and simpler to use than other digital media. It will also mean more reliable players because no moving parts are required," says Moss.
Flash technology will most appeal to patrons because of its ease of use. "Patrons will like the fact that the great majority of books will each be on a single flash cartridge, so there will be fewer objects to keep track of," says Moodie. "An entire cartridge can be played from beginning to end without having to change any switches or turn the cartridge over. And the player will always keep track of where the reader left off."
"Because flash memory cartridges can have new books quickly copied onto them and can be reused thousands of times, new distribution models are possible. For example, some books do not circulate very often but are still important to have in the program. Rather than having such books taking up shelf space in libraries across the country, copies can be quickly made when needed," says Moodie.
"Flash was chosen because it fits so well with our many requirements for a talking- book medium," says Moodie.
The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses.
For information on the NLS digital project, contact Jean M. Moss, Digital Projects Coordinator. E-mail: jemo@loc.gov; fax: (202) 707-1690. For the NLS Strategic Business Plan online: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.htm.
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 ingredients in the success of our 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 suggestions.
The group will meet again May 25-27, 2005, at NLS.
American Council of the Blind
Mr. Otis Stephens
University of Tennessee
College of Law
1505 West Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37996
ostephen@utk.edu
Blinded Veterans Association
Mr. Clyde A. Compton
44 Crater Lane
Stafford, VA 22556
cacompton1@earthlink.net
National Federation of the Blind
Ms. Ever Lee Hairston
113 Greensward Lane
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-4710
ehairston@camdencountry.com
Readers-at-large representatives:
Midlands Region-includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Ms. Gail Walter
PO Box 22
Goodland, KS 67735
gailj@eaglecom.net
Northern Region-includes Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Ms. Sharon Strzalkowski
127 June Street #3
Worcester, MA 01602
strzal@charter.net
Southern Region-includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Virgin Islands.
Mr. Albert Salzstein
7740 NW 50th St., Apt 409
Lauderhill, FL 33351
kletskeral2@aol.com
Western Region-includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Ms. Sheryl Nelson
1941 Puowaina Drive
Honolulu, HI 96813
snelson@aloha.net
Midlands
Ms. Dori Middleton
Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Detroit Public Library
Douglass Branch Library
3666 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 833-5494 or (313) 833-5497; fax: (313) 832-5597
dmiddle@detroit.lib.mi.us
Northern
Ms. Bonnie Farrier
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
New York Public Library
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 206-5432; fax: (212) 206-5418
bfarrier@nypl.org
Southern
Ms. Julie C. Harris
Collection Librarian
State of North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
1811 Capital Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 733-4376; fax: (919) 733-6910
jharris@library.dcr.state.nc.us
Western:
Ms. Christie Briggs
Montana Talking Book Library
(406) 444-2064; fax: (406) 444-0266
cbriggs@state.mt.us
Two NLS programs offer readers samplings 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 audio cassette each month. For a free subscription to either program, contact your cooperating talking-book library. Although the selections are subject to change, subscribers will receive some of the following magazines during 2005.
Alternates: Black Enterprise, Budget Living, Dog Fancy, Knitter-s, More, Motor Trend, Novel Writing, Plenty, Scientific American, Where to Retire, World War II
Alternates: Archaeology, Blackgirl, Elle, Environment, Grappling, Icarus, Mademoiselle, Sassy, Snowboard Life, Soccer Jr., Source
The following announcements may be of interest to readers. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped reserved 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.
2004 calendars. Listed below are some organizations that produce calendars in braille or print/braille.
American Printing House for the Blind
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(502) 895-2405
800-223-1839
info@aph.org
www.aph.org/products/index.html
Accepts orders by mail or telephone.
- 8-1/2 x 11-inch large-print/braille (36 point) APH InSights Art Calendar. Includes holidays and moon phases. Features selected art from the APH juried competition. English edition, catalog #5-18971-05, $7.50.
Braille Institute Press
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 906-3104
800-272-4553
press@brailleinstitute.org
www.universalmediaservices.org/PublicationsforSale/Calendar.htm
Accepts orders by telephone or online.
- 8-3/4 x 11-inch large-print/braille (18 point) wall monthly calendar. Includes a large- print/braille edition of the Rose Bowl parade schedule. $5.
Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired
1170 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209-0398
(716) 882-1025, ext. 240
(716) 882-5577 fax
Accepts orders by mail or telephone.
- 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch braille desk calendar with two days per page and dividers for each month. $35 for base and refills, $29.50 for refills only.
Lutheran Blind Mission
Library for the Blind
Attn: Lynne Borchelt
7550 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO 63119-4409
888-215-2455
blindmission@blindmission.org
www.blindmission.org
Accepts requests by mail or telephone.
- 8-1/2 x 11-inch braille calendar entitled I Am, based on the Gospel of John. Features a monthly verse from the Bible. Also available as an 8-1/2 x 14-inch large-print (21 point) edition. Free.
Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund
3500 North Elm Road
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-5097
(734) 668-1094 fax
Accepts request by fax or telephone.
- 6-1/4 x 3-3/4-inch large-print/braille purse size, spiral bound calendar. Includes a separate listing of major holidays. Free.
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115-4302
(617) 266-6160, ext 20
800-548-7323
orders@nbp.org
www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/BCCL05.html
Accepts prepaid orders by mail, telephone, or online.
- 8-1/2 x 11-inch print/braille calendar with Winnie the Pooh motif. $10.99.
National Federation of the Blind
Materials Center
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, ext. 2216
(410) 685-5653 fax
materials@nfb.org
Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone.
- 6 x 6-1/2-inch braille calendar. Features one page per month, a personal day page, and a listing of major holidays. Free.
Society for the Blind, Inc.
Products for Independence Store
2750 24th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 452-8271, ext. 302
(916) 452-2622 fax
www.societyfortheblind.org
Accepts orders by mail or telephone.
- 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch braille desk calendar with two days per page. At the top of each page are the day of the week, date, and month. Base and refill, catalog #20-06-01, $47.95. Refill only, catalog #20-06-02, $39.95.
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