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NLS: That All May Read
NLS Digital Transition
Welcome to the NLS digital transition web site. The purpose of this site is to provide network libraries the most current information on a wide variety of issues relating to the impending transition from analog to digital. Information is also provided by subject. Suggestions for additional subjects should be sent to the NLS Reference Section.
Latest items:
Calendar of Events
Previously announced RC titles that WILL NOT SHIP on RC
DTBM Firmware
List of book about ship
NLS Digital Application, in English
NLS Digital Application, in Spanish
Transition Handbook
Training
Digital Talking-Book Cartridge Write Protect
Gutenberg Cartridge Duplicator
The following topics indicate specific areas in which NLS has taken an action(s). Please review. Note that if multiple actions have been taken, the most recent action is listed first.
Application
Calendar of Events
Cassette Books
- Previously announced RC titles that WILL NOT SHIP on RC
When NLS made the decision to discontinue RC books a number of titles were already in process. Network libraries will want to review the list of RC titles that will not be produced as they may need to be removed from circulation systems. The above link is to a list of these titles.
CMLS
- Network Bulletin 08-04: CMLS-Machines
NLS will use CMLS to track which patrons are assigned standard digital talking-book players (DS1) and advanced digital players (DA1). Beginning July 1, 2008, disc players and combination machines will be tracked by the BPHICS database and the CMLS database will only track digital players ....
Conferences
Charting Our Course: Expanding Our Services - The 2012 Biennial NLS Conference (Newport, Rhode Island, May 20-24)
We All Did It! The Digital Future is Now - The 2010 Biennial NLS Conference (Des Moines, Iowa, May 16-20)
Presentations made at the 2010 conference:
Link to PowerPoint Viewer download page
Our Digital World - The 2008 Biennial NLS Conference (San Antonio, Texas: May 4 - May 8)
PowerPoint presentations by NLS staff used at the 2008 national Conference.
Copy Allotment - Retro
- Operations Alert 08-21: Retrospective Copy Allotment screen now active
On May 14 NLS sent an Operations Alert 08-21 announcing that the 2008 retrospective copy allotment cycle had been opened. Network libraries have until August 30, 2008, to select titles and number of copies of books wanted. The quota information for each library will be displayed on the Retrospective Copy allotment Screen when the library logs on and clicks on "My totals".
The Retrospective Copy Allotment is for titles in flash cartridge format only.
Digital Books
Digital Implementation Handbook
Digital Implementation Modules - NLS
Digital Player
- Machine allocation 20 thousand per month
Above is a link to a Monthly Digital Player Allocation Schedule. NLS expects Shinano to produce players at the rate of 20,000 per month. The attached file indicates each MLA's projected monthly allocation at the 20,000 per month rate. The formula for machine allocation is the same as that has been used for cassette machines. A given MLA's percentage of total audio readership is applied to the quantity of players to be produced, then broken down to a quantity to be shipped monthly. Digital player distribution will be 80% standard players and 20% advanced players, rounded to quantities of eight (the number of digital players that will fit in an overpack box). Please remember, quantities are subject to change based on manufacturer capabilities, parts availability, and Quality Assurance (QA) test results.
- Digital Talking-Book Player: Models DS1 and DA1 - Library Guide (Version 1.0, February 2010) (PDF) 4.93MB
- Digital Talking-Book Player: Models DS1 and DA1 - Library Guide
(Braille - Version 0.61) (BRF)
- Digital Talking-Book Service Manual - Technician Guide (Version 0.993) (PDF) 10.6MB
- Operations Alert 08-06: Status of Digital Transition
Network Bulletin 08-01, which describes NLS budget and audiobook production plan for 2008 and beyond, has generated questions as to how quickly digital books and players will be delivered to the network. The intricacies of the federal procurement process and late enactment of the 2008 federal budget, in addition to usual program challenges, has delayed the transition ....
- Digital Player Distribution
Policy
NLS will give preference in distributing digital talking-book players to veterans first and then to members of the l0-Squared Talking-Book Club (registered patrons who are one hundred years of age or older).
- NLS/BPH Digital Talking-Book Player and Cartridge
The two pictures of the player and cartridge on the cover of the Strategic Business Plan 2006 were sent to members of the NLS National Advisory Committee on Audio Equipment after its September meeting with encouragement to disseminate them.
Digital Transition Advisory Committee
Digital Transition Check List
Download Project
- Operations Alert 07-25: Participation in expanded Audiobook Download Pilot
NLS Heads of regional and subregional libraries are invited to preview the expanded Audiobook Download Pilot.
- NLS Downloadable Audio Book and Magazine Service
Access to the NLS Download Pilot web site is restricted to authorized NLS readers. You will need a login id and password to access it. If you do not have one, you may review the criteria for participation and request an account by reading the application instructions.
- Pilot Test Enrollment Application - Instructions
This application is intended for use only by existing NLS library readers who have access to a digital talking-book player that is capable of being enabled to play NLS audio books and magazines. In 2008, machines will be available at no cost from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Until then, if you wish, you may either purchase a third-party player or, if offered by your network library, borrow one.
- Pilot Test Enrollment Application
Software
- DTBM Firmware
The NLS Materials Development Division (MDD) modifies the Digital Talking-Book Machine (DTBM) software from time to time to correct faults, improve usability, or to add additional features. The latest player firmware is version 2.1.6 (July 20, 2010).
- Digital Talking-Book Cartridge Write Protect
Digital Talking-Book Cartridges (DTBC) manufactured for the Library of Congress NLS/BPH program conform to the standards defined by the USB Implementers Forum for USB Mass Storage Devices. These drives implement the SCSI disk protocol for communication with computers (and the Digital Talking-Book player). The SCSI disk commands and data are carried over the USB transport layer.
To protect DTBCs from accidental or malicious alteration and to reduce the likelihood of theft, the NLS Engineering Section devised a method of write protecting the cartridges, implemented through additional 'vendor specific' SCSI commands.
- Gutenberg Cartridge Duplicator
NLS has developed an efficient and inexpensive duplicator for Digital Talking-Book cartridges (DTBC). The system is called Gutenberg and is based around a personal computer running the Linux operating system.
Gutenberg is designed to be used when multiple copies of books or many different books must be duplicated. It can be used for single book copies, however simpler solutions exist using existing PC software for this task.
Training
Transition Handbook
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Posted on
2011-11-01