NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE UNVEILS THE DTB PROTOTYPE

by John Barrett, Supervisor
Talking Book Section
NH State Library
(603) 271-1498
1-800-491-4200
www.nh.gov/nhsl/talking_books

A revolutionary change is coming to the Talking Book Program. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress is near completion of developing a new digital talking book (DTB) player and cartridge to distribute to its network libraries and eligible persons registered in the 75 year-old service.

What is new about the player? It is significantly smaller and lighter than the current audio cassette player. The player is about 6 x 9 x 2 inches. It is approximately 200 cubic inches smaller in size and five pounds lighter. That's about 1/2 of the standard model used today. The body of the new player creates maximum visual contrast between the background of the case and the colors of the buttons.

Controls or keys on the player give audible feedback about how far ahead or back the user is moving, or telling the user if s/he is setting the tone higher or lower, the speed faster or slower. Other controls make similar announcements. The DTB player also includes a crescent moon shape Sleep button that will turn the player off 30 minutes after it is pressed. An advanced model will offer additional controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks.

There is a pull-out handle in front and a compartment on the back side of the machine for storing the power cord. The door to the battery compartment is on the bottom of the player and there are two inset bars for attaching a carry strap to allow for portability. There is also a headphone jack on the side of the player. The new machine has no moving parts other than the controls which should provide longer battery life and more reliability.

The cartridge is the size of a cassette, but with the more complex shape. At one end of the cartridge is a round finger hole and at the other end a USB connector. Inside is a flash memory card containing the content of the DTB. Above the pull out handle in the front of the player is the opening for the digital talking book cartridge. The cartridge will fit only one way and slide smoothly into the player.

There will not be enough of the new DTB players to distribute to all our eligible registered users in the first year that the machines are made available. We will therefore continue to circulate audiocassette books and cassette players for some time. For more information call the Talking Book Services Section of the N.H. State Library at 1-800-491-4200.