Digital Transition Information
Direct link to: NLS Flash - latest update from NLS
On this page link to:
| Digital Books and Machines |
| Cassette Books Still Available |
| BARD - Braille and Audio Reading Download |
| Loan Policy |
Digital Players will be increasingly more available as time goes by. Currently the library is keeping a list of those who have requested a digital machine, and will send machines out as they become available.
To ensure that a digital machine is not temporarily or permanently denied them, patrons should
1. maintain current contact information with the library
2. only have one each of the library’s equipment – digital machine, cassette player, radio
3. not exceed the limit of 20 books total checked out at a time
4. not have any books checked out for longer than six months
Equipment for Wyoming patrons is provided by the local office of Wyoming Services for the Visually Impaired that provided your cassette player.
Currently, the digital book list of available titles can ONLY be sent to patrons, upon request, to an active email account. To request this list be sent to you, please call or email the library.
Cassette Books Still Available
The transition from cassette books to digital books will take quite some time, several years minimum. It will take some time to produce enough digital talking book machines to nationally supply those eligible to receive one.
If machines are available, patrons may have both a cassette and a digital talking book machine during the transition. New books will be produced in both digital and cassette formats for some time as well.
Those who receive a digital player SHOULD NOT send back their cassette player. Local books and also magazines are still produced on cassette, as well as new books from NLS that are produces on cassette and in the digital format.
BARD - Braille and Audio Reading Download
The pilot project phase of the NLS downloadable audiobooks and magazines service ended earlier in 2009. It was replaced by a permanent web site at https://nlsbard.loc.gov.
This is the popular service used by readers to download audio books to Victor Reader Stream players. Users who know their passwords will be able to log on to the new site. Users who rely on their browsers to remember their passwords will need new ones. All user accounts will migrate to the new system, so patrons do not need to reapply.
Here’s what’s new about BARD:
-- The limit on downloading has been removed. During heavy demand, NLS may limit the number of simultaneous downloads for each account.
-- The logon page is new.
-- Search functionality is improved. Searches will yield more effective results. Use of multiple search terms will return only results containing all of the terms.
-- There is a new Most Popular Books list.
-- The magazine section is redesigned.
If you are a previous user of this site and can’t access the new site, you may call the library for help.
If you would like to begin using this service, you will need
-- A Victor Reader Stream
-- A computer connected to the internet
-- High speed internet service
-- An active email address
You may then access an online application page from the BARD website at https://nlsbard.loc.gov.
The following policies govern the circulation of books and equipment to eligible blind, disabled, or reading disabled patrons who are registered with the Utah State Library Division, Program for the Blind and Disabled. Eligible patrons who borrow materials from the library accept responsibility for using materials with reasonable care, returning them to the Utah State Library according to established loan policies, and not losing or damaging them through negligence. Violation of this policy can result in suspension of some or all library services.
POLICY
Braille books, large print books, books on cassette, digital books, a cassette player, a digital book machine, and a radio will be loaned by this library to eligible registered patrons without charge. The library will keep records of all such loans.
If equipment is available from the library, patrons are entitled to borrow any or all of the following pieces of equipment: one cassette player, one digital book machine, one radio receiver (if the patron lives within established radio broadcast areas).
If equipment is not available from the library, the library will maintain waiting lists based primarily on the date equipment was requested by patrons. Legislation and Library of Congress directives require that the library give priority in the assignment of equipment to veterans of the armed services and those over 100 years of age.
Priority will also be given to the replacement of defective equipment for patrons already registered over those new to the program. Patrons MUST telephone or come to the library to request a replacement for a damaged machine. A replacement cassette player or radio will be mailed right away. A replacement digital book machine will not be provided until the damaged digital book machine arrives back at the library and is checked in.
The patron should notify the library of changes of address, a desire to cancel service, or temporary or permanent transfer of service to another state.
Equipment necessary to read the recorded materials and a radio may be borrowed on extended loan for as long as the patron is using the equipment to read materials provided by the library. In the event a machine ceases to function properly or needs repair, it should be returned to the library. Under no circumstances should a borrower attempt to repair equipment or accessories provided by the library.
A patron in good standing with the library will have priority over other patrons in the assignment of equipment. A patron in good standing is in compliance with the limits on equipment stated above, in compliance with the limits on books stated below, and has not had any books checked out longer than six months.
A patron in good standing may have a maximum of 20 books total in braille, on cassette, in large print, or in digital format checked out at any one time. Once a patron reaches the maximum number of books, no additional books will be sent until books are returned. In special circumstances, a patron may request an increase in the maximum number.
Because the number of digital book titles and copies is limited, a patron in good standing may have a maximum of 3 digital books total checked out at any one time. There will be no exceptions to this maximum number of 5 digital books checked out at a time.
Books will be sent either on a calendar, replacement (turnaround) or request only basis. The loan period for books is six weeks. No fines for overdue books will be levied; however, patrons are urged to observe the loan period so books can be available for other readers.
The patron will ensure books, magazines, and equipment being returned to the library by free matter are delivered into the hands of the United States Postal Service by placing the items in a mailbox or delivering the items to the post office. Placing library materials on the doorstep of the patron’s home for the mail carrier to pick up does not constitute delivery into the hands of the postal service and, if problems arise by use of this method, the patron is responsible for the lost or damaged library materials.
Patrons may not lend library books, magazines, or equipment to other persons.
In the case of repeated verbal abuse of library staff by a patron, the library may suspend service to that patron.
SUSPENSION PROCEDURES
In the event that any of these policies are violated repeatedly, the patron will be given a written warning and an opportunity to reply.
If the patron does not reply or the policy violations continue, service may be suspended for a period of time. Service may be reinstated if the patron comes into compliance with policy. If, after reinstatement of service, policy violations resume, services may be suspended again.
In the event of suspension, the following steps will be taken:
1. The library will first discuss the problem noted with the patron by telephone or in person. The library will send a warning letter summarizing the discussion and the problem and provide an opportunity for the patron to reply.
2. If service abuse recurs, a second written communication will be sent to the patron. This letter will cite the earlier warning letter, list examples of subsequent abuse, give the patron an opportunity to reply by a certain date, and inform the patron of suspension of service for a stated period (up to six months). A specific date for resumption of service will be included in this letter.
3. When service is resumed, a letter will be sent to the patron notifying him/her of the resumption of service and reminding the patron that further recurrences will result in another suspension of service, as it relates to the documented abuse.