The Communication Center (CC) – a division of State Services for the Blind (SSB), located in Saint Paul, Minnesota – is the agency responsible for the inventory, distribution and repair of all equipment provided by the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), namely the machines required for playing the talking books lent out by the library.

Talking book players are required in order for patrons to listen to the audio books – or “talking books” – made available through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library. The talking book players provided by the CC include cassette players and the newer digital talking book players. Both are portable players that come equipped with a built-in speaker, rechargeable battery and an electrical cord.

 

Digital Talking Book Players

In comparison to the previous cassette players, the digital talking book players offer better sound quality. Unlike cassette players they do not need to flip sides or swap out cassettes. The entire book fits on one cartridge.

Every patron who registers for the talking book service will receive a digital talking book player from the Communication Center (CC). Many patrons have the standard (DS1) model, but the advanced (DA1) model has its advantages. It allows the user to place bookmarks, jump an entire chapter or section, and navigate through magazine articles. Patrons who have a DS1 may exchange it for a DA1.

The DA1 and DS1 operate the same but the DA1 has an additional row of navigational buttons. These buttons are:

• An Information (Info) button that tells the reader where he/she is within a book and how much time remains.
• A Previous (Prev) button that allows users to jump back by one chapter.
• A Next button that allows users to jump forward by one chapter.
• A Menu button that allows users to select how the Previous and Next buttons work. Depending on each individual book’s navigational levels, a book may allow a user to jump by section, by chapter, or by verse.
• A Bookmark (Mark) button that allows users to place and remove virtual bookmarks within each digital talking book.

Another advantage of the digital talking book player is the ability to download digital talking books and magazines from the Minnesota Braille and Audio Reading Download (MN BARD) website. Eligible patrons may access thousands of books and dozens of magazines any time day or night using the optional MN BARD service and a fast Internet connection.

Cartridges of digital talking books loaned through the mail do not require patrons to have a computer.

• Frequently Asked Questions about Digital Talking Book Players (PDF) 
  Provides troubleshooting tips to users of NLS digital talking book players.

Accessories for Digital Talking Book Players

The Communications Center distributes additional accessories for use with the playback of digital talking book players. The accessories currently available include:

• Headphones: Issued only to readers who require them for reading talking books where speakers are not permitted, as in nursing homes and hospitals.
• Pillow Speakers: Available to individuals who are confined to a bed. This speaker is used by placing it under the reader's pillow and is normally heard only by the reader.
• Amplifiers: For individuals with significant hearing loss. Amplifiers require a separate application with medical certification; the sound is boosted to a level that can cause permanent hearing loss to persons with normal hearing. This accessory requires a separate application. Please contact the CC about the application procedure for obtaining an amplifier.
• Breath Switch Adapters: Available to persons with little or no use of their extremities. These adapters enable the user to control the Play/Stop function of the digital player.
• Remote Control Units: Currently not available for the digital talking book player. They are being developed by the NLS.

Commercial Digital Talking Book Players

In addition to the digital talking book players issued by the NLS, there are also several commercial players that individuals can purchase to play talking books and magazines downloaded from Minnesota Braille and Audio Reading Download (MN BARD). The following is a list of compatible players and links to their manufacturer’s websites:

• Humanware makes the Victor Reader Stream, the Apex BrailleNote/VoiceNote and the Victor Reader Stratus (also plays CDs).
• LevelStar, Inc. makes the Icon (no longer in their product catalog but still works with MN BARD).
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH) makes the Book Port Plus and the Braille Plus Mobile Manager (no longer in their product catalog but still works with MN BARD).
• HIMS makes the BookSense, the BookSense DS, the BookSense XT, Bookport DT, and the Braille Sense OnHand.
• PlexTalk makes the PlexTalk PTN2 and the PlexTalk Pocket PTP1.
• Bones, Inc., makes the Milestone 212 and Milestone 312.

Please remember that BARD files will not play on a computer. Patrons must have an NLS or NLS-authorized player.

Cassette Players

The NLS is continually moving away from the cassette format but cassette talking book players are still available. The C-1 is the only cassette player offered by the NLS. For instructions on using the C-1 cassette player, visit the NLS Operating Our Cassette Player web page.

Commercially produced cassette players will not play NLS-produced cassettes because they have been adapted specifically for this library service. Essentially, six hours of narration have been condensed on to a 90-minute cassette.

• Operating the Cassette Player (PDF) 
  Provides instructions on how to operate the NLS-produced cassette player, the C-1 model.

Accessories for Cassette Players

The Communications Center (CC) distributes additional accessories for use with the playback of cassette players. The accessories currently available include:

• Headphones: Issued only to readers who require them for reading talking books where speakers are not permitted, as in nursing homes and hospitals.
• Pillow Speakers: Available to individuals who are confined to a bed. This speaker is used by placing it under the reader's pillow and is normally heard only by the reader.
• Amplifiers: For individuals with significant hearing loss. Amplifiers require a separate application with medical certification; the sound is boosted to a level that can cause permanent hearing loss to persons with normal hearing. This accessory requires a separate application. Please contact the CC about the application procedure for obtaining an amplifier.
• Breath Switches:Available to persons with little or no use of their extremities. They must be used with a remote control unit.
• Remote Control Units: For individuals confined to a bed or have difficulty with mobility. This unit turns playback equipment on and off but cannot control other functions such as volume and speed. This accessory requires a separate application. Please contact the CC about the application procedure for obtaining a Remote Control Unit.
• Extension Levers: Available for persons who have difficulty manipulating the key controls on a standard cassette machine. These levers attach right to the key controls of the cassette machine.
• Solar Panel Battery Chargers: For readers who do not have access to electricity. Please contact the CC about the procedure for obtaining this accessory.