Do you have questions about specifics of the Talking Book service? Several of our most frequently asked questions are answered below.

Digital Audio 

When will NLS begin distributing digital audio books and players?
Production of Digital Books and Players started in June 2009. The gradual distribution of digital players began September 14, 2009 to a small number of readers. By law, veterans received digital players and books first.. In October 2009, general distribution began based on the library's monthly allotment of digital players, which has averaged around 60 players per month. Established Talking Book readers interested in a digital player should contact the library to be placed on the interest list. The digital transition will take several years to complete.

What is the format of the new digital audio books?
NLS passed over CD technology and selected flash memory as the new Talking Book format. The technology is that of a thumb drive used to store, transfer or back up PC files via a USB port. For security and copyright reasons, NLS Digital Audio Books will not play on a personalcomputer. There is  a download option with the new digital system to use digital book files with an NLS digital or NLS-approved third-party player.

What do the new digital books and players look like?
Photos and descriptions of the final Digital Book and Player designs have been posted on the NLS website.

Are NLS digital titles be available for download?
Yes! Contact Talking Books for more information on eligibility, access, requirements and what materials are available.

Should I return my cassette player when I receive a Digital Player?
No! Talking Book users are strongly encouraged to keep their cassette players. During the multi-year transition to Digital, some books and magazines will only be available on cassette. After 2011 or 2012 when supplies of Digital Books and Players reach acceptable levels, production of cassette books will stop and gradually the need for cassette players will diminish. Users who might need cassette-only titles are encouraged to keep their cassette player as long as it is operational. The NLS foreign language collection will remain exclusively cassette for the forseeable future.

In order to receive a Digital Player, do I need to return my cassette player?
No! Most Talking Book readers will need both cassette and digital machines for at least eighteen months during the transition.

Books

How many cassette books do you have in the collection? 
Approximately 55,000 cassette titles and 85,000 cassette copies.  In addition, we have interlibrary loan access to the NLS Union Catalog which includes thousands more titles.

What does NLS/BPH stand for?
This is an acronym for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a division of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

What types of books do you have?
Mostly popular, recreational reading in fiction and nonfiction categories. The Talking Book collection is similar to that of a public print library. 

Who selects the titles to be recorded?
Staff at the NLS, with input from a representative panel of library users from across the country, select books for recording. Librarians at the local level have significant input, but do not actually select titles. NLS then assigns a contractor to record, manufacture and distribute each title.  Professional readers hired by the manufacturers narrate the books.

Are Talking Books edited or condensed?
No. While some commercial audio books are abridged or edited, Talking Books include all text from the print book, often including the table of contents and information from the print book jacket.

Is there a difference between Talking Books and other recorded books?
Yes! Talking Books are for blind and physically disabled readers and are recorded in a special format that requires Library of Congress playback equipment. Audio books from public or other libraries are not "Talking Books". They are generally known as "audio books" and they are different! Talking Books are available only to persons who qualify under professional referral for this free program.

How do I receive books from my library?
You should receive several starter books when you first begin the service and receive your playback equipment.  To return books, simply turn the address card over, put back into the slot on the book, and drop into the mail. Generally, the library automatically mails replacement books back to readers, however this varies according to everyone's needs.

Do I have to pay postage to return books through the mail?
No.  Books can be mailed back to the library postage free via the United States Postal Service.

Is my mail carrier required to take my books back?
No. Your mail carrier might return your free matter materials but is not required to by law. If you have difficulty returning materials, contact the station manager of your local post office or the Postmaster to see if special arrangements could be made.

How does the Post Office handle “free matter” materials?
Free matter mailings of Talking Book Materials are generally considered first class mail.

What if I do not enjoy the books I am receiving?
Contact a library staff member.  The Talking Books staff can help you make selections and give you ideas for other titles, authors or subjects you might like. 

What if I hear about books from friends or TV but I cannot find them in the catalogs?
Again, contact Talking Books and have a staff member search our database.  The titles in the catalogs you receive represent only a fraction of the books we have available. Book information is also available via the Internet at NLS or in Kansas, our WebOPAC.

What if I want to read a book that is now on a bestseller list?
Contact Talking Books to see if the book has been selected.  Generally, it takes a few months for a book to go from a bestseller lists to local Talking Book libraries.  In many cases, our automated system can take requests or reserves before the books arrive.

What is the difference between requesting a book and reserving a book?
Our computer considers a reserve a top priority.  A reserve will be filled as soon as a copy becomes available.  Requests remain on a reader's list and are filled as needed based on their individualized profile. 

Can Talking Books record books?
No; Talking Books has no recording facilities.  We are able, however, to direct persons to companies or organizations that do, such as Audio Reader in Lawrence. 

Does Talking Books provide textbooks?
No. Students receive many textbooks from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, Princeton, New Jersey. Talking Books provides playback equipment and general reading materials. For more information on textbooks, contact RFBD at 1-800-221-4292 or on the web via this link.

What if I want to make suggestions about titles or authors to be recorded on Talking Books?
Contact a Reader Advisor at your Talking Book library.  Patron suggestions will be forwarded to the NLS Collection Development staff at the Library of Congress.

Catalogs

How often will I receive catalogs?
You will receive a few catalogs when you begin service.  Six to eight weeks later, you should receive an issue of Talking Book Topics. This catalog is issued every two months and lists the newest books that have been recorded. Each year, you will have an option of receiving a large catalog summarizing the year’s books.

Are Talking Book Topics mailed from my Talking Book library?
No.  Catalogs are mailed from a government contractor in Florida. Your Talking Book library maintains your address information for catalogs and other materials.

I have trouble reading the large print catalogs.  Do you have catalogs in recorded form?
Yes.  NLS catalogs are available on cassette and computer diskette. Other sources of information about Talking Book titles include text or HTML files and via the Internet at NLS or in Kansas, our WebOPAC.

What if I have book requests I cannot find in the catalogs?
Contact a reader’s advisor at Talking Books.  Only a fraction of the books the library has available appear in the bimonthly or yearly catalogs. Book information is also accessible online at NLS or in Kansas, our WebOPAC.

Does Talking Books have a catalog listing all books in the National Library Service collection?
Talking Books does not have a comprehensive catalog in print form. Catalogs listing the most recent books are compiled and mailed every two months. If you have special requests for titles, authors or subjects not found in Talking Book Topics or the yearly catalogs, contact a Talking Books staff member to earch our automated system, or go online to NLS or the Kansas WebOPAC.

How do I send in my requests?
Patrons can make requests by mail (no special forms are necessary--any sheet of paper will do), in person, by phone, by fax or email.  After hours,  request lists can be left on our voice mail system.

Magazines

How do I find out what magazines are available from Talking Books?
New readers are provided with magazine lists when they start service. If you need another list, call Talking Books or view a list compiled by NLS, which includes commercial magazines the reader must pay for.

Are magazines from Talking Books issued as often as print magazines?
Yes. Circulating magazines might be delayed if you do not return the old issues. Please return issues as soon as you are finished.

May I keep magazines that are mailed to me?
Several cassette need to be returned. As a rule, if a magazine container has a return address card for the mailing container, it needs to be returned.

Who keeps track of my magazine subscriptions?
Your Talking Book library maintains address and subscription information even though magazines are mailed from numerous sites.

Do I have to pay for magazine subscriptions?
Magazines offered through Talking Books are provided at no cost. There are also a number of magazines ordered directly from publishers available for subscription fees.

When I sign up for a Talking Books magazine, how long will it be before the first issue arrives?
Usually, the magazines will take 6-8 weeks to start. In the event you cancel a subscription, it may take the same amount of time for the transaction to be accepted. You may still receive a few issues after cancelling.

Playback Equipment

What choices do I have for playback equipment?
A Standard cassette player has many options and can also play commercial speed cassettes.
An Easy cassette player has simpler controls and is issued to those with very limited mobility or use of their hands.

Is it possible to be issued more than one cassette player? 
No. According to National Library Service regulations, patrons are entitled to have only one cassette player at a time.

My machine has stopped working. How can I get a replacement?
Call Talking Books and speak with a staff member. A minor problem is often easily corrected over the phone. If a machine needs repair, you will have to mail it back to the library. 

Can I repair my own machine?
No. Your Talking Book library has trained technicians who repair NLS players. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Please do not disassemble or attempt to clean the interior of your playback equipment.

Who repairs NLS Talking Book equipment?
Most libraries have volunteer repairmen, mostly Telecom Pioneers, repair playback equipment. 

What if the sound is bad on my machine? Do I need a replacement? 
Perhaps. Try different books in the machine. Occasionally, an older or worn cassette book will cause a muffled or distorted sound. If the sound remains the same on several different books, call your library and talk to a staff member. You may need a machine replacement.

I want to return my machine to the library. Do I have to pay postage? 
No. Playback equipment can be mailed free of charge.

Will my mail carrier pick up my machine?
No. Your mail carrier might return your free matter materials, but is not required to by law. If you have difficulty returning materials, contact the station manager of your local post office or the Postmaster to see if special arrangements could be made. 

I need to return my machine but I do not have a box. Can you mail me an empty box? 
Because of postal service regulations, we are not allowed to mail an empty box. If you can provide a box, we can send you a pre-addressed mailing label for it.

Does my cassette player have a battery?
Standard cassette players have a 7.2 volt nickel-cadmium battery. Easy cassette players do not have batteries. The battery in a cassette player can provide up to six hours of listening without being plugged into a wall outlet.

If I move out of the area or out of state, can I take my Talking Book player?
Yes; simply contact your local Talking Book library with your new address and contact information. The staff will transfer the player serial number to your new serving library. There is no requirement to return the player if you plan to continue service at another library.  Books and magazines, however, should be returned to their issuing library.

What if I would like to purchase a 4-track cassette player? 
The Talking Books staff will provide you with information and addresses on companies that sell 4-track players. The staff provides this information but does not endorse any specific products. Contact Talking Books if you would like further information. NLS has posted an information sheet on compatible 4-track cassette players on its website.

If you would like to print out a copy of the Talking Books Application for Service, please select the document format you prefer:

• Application for Service, PDF file also available from the NLS website
• Application for Service, text file 
• Solicitud de Servicios Bibliotecarios Gratuitos en Espanol, PDF file

• Blindness. Legal blindness past 20/200 with correction, or total blindness.
  
• Low vision. Readers of large print books and magazines are also eligible to receive Talking Books.
  
• Inability to hold a book and turn its pages. This includes arthritis, a broken arm, stroke, allergies to ink, ongoing dialysis or cancer treatment, and other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis.
  
• Reading disabilities due to an organic dysfunction. These can include conditions such as dyslexia and attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder. A medical doctor (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) must certify an organic reading disability. Additional information on reading disability qualifiers is available on the NLS website.
  
• The disability qualifying a reader for service may be permanent or temporary. Examples of this can include a short-term medication regimen that blurs eyesight or eye surgery that interrupts vision for a brief period of time.

Last summer we asked visitors to tell us what makes something valuable and consensus agreed on the intangible: meaning. Your child's first ceramic blob, the hotel keycard from your honeymoon, the ugly blanket your best friend made for Christmas one year—meaning appears to be the driving force behind keeping this stuff.

So, consider this: if subject matter determined the cost of a painting, would it affect the painting's value if size, materials and time invested remained the same? Are price and worth interchangeable? The constant tension between cost and value when experiencing and/or purchasing art is why I fell hard for New York City artists (husband and wife), Cristine Santora and Justin Gignac.