• Introduction
• Progress in Preparing for the Transition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 1 What are Digital Talking Books?
• 2 Why change to Digital Talking Books?
• 3 When will it happen?
• 4 Receiving and requesting digital talking books
• 5 The internet connection
• 6 The new Talking Book Player
• 7 Other questions

Introduction

This information has been prepared to assist the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s (the Foundation’s) staff and volunteers to respond to questions from the users of the Foundation talking book service regarding the proposed transition from cassette to digital talking books. FAQs are divided into seven sections, with relevant questions and answers for each.

If you need further information, please contact the library on 09 355 6969 or 0800 24 33 33, option 2.

Progress in Preparing for the Transition

In recent months, planning and preparation for the transition to digital talking books has continued and good progress has been made in several areas. Progress includes:

• Three new test players have been received and initial testing by some current borrowers has started.

• The processes needed to deliver the new digital library service have been designed and mapped out.
  

• Titles continue to be added to the digital library and there are now over 3,000 titles

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are Digital Talking Books?

A digital talking book is a talking book that has been recorded and stored as a digital file. It is still a recording of the narrator’s human voice. This is like a computer file that can be easily transferred between computers or stored on a CD or memory stick.

Digital talking books are better than the existing cassette talking books as they have a higher quality sound and you can easily move around in the book when listening.

What is DAISY?

DAISY is the name of the digital talking book format that the Foundation uses.

DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information SYstem and was specifically designed to make content accessible to people who are vision impaired. DAISY helps readers to navigate through a talking book in a similar way as a sighted person would read a printed book: skimming through pages, going to a particular chapter, finding headings, the contents or the index, etc.

2 Why change to Digital Talking Books?

The current cassette talking book machines and the equipment we use to copy cassettes are outdated. In a few years we will no longer be able to get parts to repair them and buying cassettes is becoming increasingly difficult.

Also, the new digital technology provides improved sound quality, the ability to move around in the book and enables faster delivery of titles to the reader.

What other benefits will the new Player provide?

The main purpose of the new Player is to provide readers with digital books and magazines. Once the initial transition is complete, the Foundation will explore opportunities for providing other information services to the reader via the new Player.

I’ve heard about the Digital Talking Book trial. What did that involve?

In 2006, the Foundation had been considering the types of distribution methods available and decided to trial a new internet digital talking book concept.

This trial tested a prototype internet digital talking book Player with 40 members. The trial involved setting up an internet connection in each member’s home and providing them with a prototype internet Player. They were also provided with training on how to use the Player and could phone a help desk when required.

This trial provided library services to each member via the internet for a period of 3 to 4 weeks.

All but one of the trial participants were over the age of 60, with most in their 70s and 80s. Thirty three members had no previous computer or internet experience.

All members were able to use the Players and many of them had such a positive experience that they were reluctant to return their Player at the end of the trial.

3 When will it happen?

The new digital library service involves many hardware and software components and many of these components need to be developed in partnership with overseas blindness agencies such as Vision Australia and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in the UK.

One of the main components is the Player and at this time, the earliest that a Player could be available in New Zealand is in the second Quarter (April to June) 2009.

The actual timeframe for the new Player to start to be distributed is dependent on the successful development and production of the hardware and software components and the Foundation’s normal planning and approval process.

4 Receiving and requesting digital talking books

How will I receive digital talking books?

The preferred method of distributing digital talking books is via an internet connection that is permanently connected to your telephone line. This would enable books, magazines and other information to be downloaded direct to the Player within a few hours of being requested.

The Player can store several books and magazines and you can choose the one to which you want to listen. You can move from book to book and the Player will remember your place in each book so that you can go back to the point that you left.

What happens after I have read the digital talking book?

After you have read the digital talking book you can delete it from the Player. Deleting a book from the Player creates space in the Player memory and allows another book or magazine to be downloaded.

Can I accidentally delete a book?

The book return / delete button will be quite distinctive and the Player will always ask you to confirm your action before it deletes the book. If you do delete one by accident, you can easily reorder it from the library.

Will I be able to request books in the same way as I do now?

Yes, all the current methods of requesting books will continue to be available.

After the transition, the library service will explore ways to improve the book ordering service and information will be provided at this time.

Will I still be able to get local information which is currently sent out on cassette?

Yes, all information currently available will continue to be available.

Over time, the library service is intending to make more local information available. Much of this information will be made available via digitised speech and the library service is working to improve this so that the pronunciation is more accurate for New Zealand readers.

If I live where I cannot get an internet connection, will I still get a library service?

Everyone currently receiving the talking book service will continue to receive the talking book service.

While internet distribution provides good benefits, it also provides some challenges in its delivery. There are several possible solutions in this area and options are being reviewed.

5 The internet connection

If the internet connection for the Player uses my telephone line, will I be able to use the phone when the Player is downloading?

The internet connection uses your telephone line without affecting your use of the telephone. You can continue to use your telephone while the Player is downloading.

Can I continue to use the internet whilst the Player is downloading?

Yes.  The process of downloading will not affect internet usage, you can continue to use your other applications at the same time.

Will the Player affect my burglar alarm, or my medical alarm such as my St John’s Life Link?

No, alarms like the St John’s Life Link and burglar alarms will not be affected by the internet connection. This was also tested by the Foundation during the recent internet Player trial.

Will there be any cost?

The planning and design of the new digital talking book service is in progress and it is not known yet if there will be any cost for the reader.

6 The new Talking Book Player

Will the Player be difficult to use?

The new Player has been designed to be easy to use, regardless of your vision impairment, age or experience with technology.

What features will the new Player have?

Just by supporting Daisy digital talking books, the Player will provide improved sound quality and the ability to easily move around a book. However, the Player will also provide many new and useful features, including:

• It is more portable - The new player will be smaller and lighter than the present talking book machine.

• Holds multiple books – It will hold multiple books and magazines and remember the place where you last stopped reading.

• Has a sleep timer - It will have a sleep timer so that when you are reading and fall asleep it will turn off after the set time and not carry on to the end of the book.

Will you teach me how to use the new Player?

During the transition, information and training will be offered to readers to enable them to use the Player. Additional assistance will also be provided by the trained talking book volunteers if required.

If you have any questions, you will always be able to phone the library staff for assistance.

I don’t know anything about computers. How will I be able to use the new Player?

You don’t need to know anything about computers to use the new Player.

The Player has simple large buttons that are used by the reader to control the playing of the book.

Will I be able to use the Player outside of the house or take it on holiday?

Yes, it is smaller and lighter than the old talking book machine and it's easy to carry.

The Player can run on a battery and play books anywhere, but once out of range of your internet connection it will not be able to access the new digital library service and download books.

How long will it take to download a book to the Player and how many hours of playing time will the Player have?

An average internet connection will enable you to download a 10 hour book in approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

The amount of playing time depends on the memory capacity of the Player.

Can I purchase my own Player?

There are an increasing number of devices that can play digital talking books. However, not all will be able to play Daisy digital talking books and some will not be compatible with the new systems in the new digital library service.

If you choose to buy your own player and want to access the new digital library service, then we recommend that you wait until the transition and before purchasing confirm with the Foundation that your type of player is compatible with the new digital library service.

7 Other questions

Can I put my name down now to be one of the first to get a new Player?

No, the Foundation is currently not accepting early registrations for Players. The process for distributing the new Players will be finalised closer to the transition and will need to be efficient, cost effective and ensure there are adequate resources to support the readers learning how to use the new Player.

How will the talking book volunteers be affected by the transition?

The volunteers are an important part of the talking book service and we anticipate that they will continue their essential role of assisting readers.

It has been identified that training will need to be provided to volunteers so that they can continue to provide this assistance. This training will be developed soon and will be delivered as part of the transition.

Can I download digital books to my computer now?

The current library computer systems need to be enhanced before they will enable digital talking books to be downloaded onto personal computers. These enhancements will be implemented as a part of the transition.

If you are recording talking books in digital format why can’t I get copies on CD now?

The Foundation does not have the required software and hardware to burn digital talking books to CDs. In considering possible distribution methods (CD, internet, etc), the Foundation wants to ensure that any investment made provides the most benefit for the reader and is the best long-term solution for the talking book service.

What about my old talking book machine? Can I keep it?

No, once readers are provided with a new Player, the Foundation will collect the old talking book machines (TBMs), containers and wallets. These are on loan to readers and the Foundation currently provides maintenance and support for these talking book machines.

Once the transition is complete, the Foundation will no longer maintain or support the old talking book machines.