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The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, administers a free national library program of Braille and recorded materials for eligible individuals residing in the United States or for citizens living abroad. Under a special provision of the U.S. copyright law and with the permission of authors and publishers of works not covered by the provision, NLS selects and produces full-length books and magazines in Braille and recorded formats. Reading materials and necessary audio equipment are distributed to a cooperating network of regional and local libraries where they are then circulated directly to eligible borrowers. This paper discusses the NLS in three main sections. The first section, "Background," discusses funding; eligibility; book collection; magazines; equipment and accessories; music services; volunteer services; Braille competency; reference; consumer relations; and research and development. The second section focuses on non-English materials: production; Spanish-language collection; bibliographic control; service to Spanish-speaking users in the U.S.; and the foreign language plan. The last section discusses international cooperation. (AEF)

This monograph summarizes the status of the Library of Congress's National Library Service (NLS) Talking Book Digital Conversion Project, a project to offer digital sound reproducers and its library materials in digital format beginning in 2008. Following an introductory section describing National Library Service services and users and the background of the project, a section details 20 steps to this next generation of NLS technology broken down into a design phase (5 years) and an implementation phase (9 years). The next section summarizes work accomplished to date focused on: (1) building standards and creating management tools; (2) creating a digital collection; and (3) designing a player. The following section provides more information on the nine tasks necessary to implement the use of digital talking books. The final section describes the Web Braille program which uses digital Braille, noting that digital files of NLS-produced Braille materials can now be downloaded from the Internet. (Contains 58 references.) (DB)

This testimony on the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS) provides information on: (1) NLS authority; (2) background; (3) functions and responsibilities; (4) Office of the Director; (5) director; (6) management; (7) budget; (8) division/section/office functions, including the Administrative Section, Publications and Media Section, Automation Office, and Research and Development Officer; (9) Materials Development Division, including the Materials Development Division Office, Bibliographic Control Section, Braille Development Section, Collection Development Section, Engineering Section, Production Control Section, Recording Studio, and Quality Assurance Section; (10) Network Division, including the Network Division Office, Consumer Relations Officer, Inventory Management Section, Music Section, Network Services Section, and Reference Section; (11) staffing; (12) appraisal; (13) staff profile; and (14) contact points. The appendix includes data on: selected trends in program activity, 1974-98; readers and circulation, 1994-98; summary of workload, 1996-2000; Braille/audio acquisition, 2000; machine production schedule, 1996-2000; Year 2000 machine/equipment acquisition; machine repairs, 1984-98; machine age distribution, 1999; network map; and digital talking book technical activity planning. (AEF)

The National Library Service (NLS) is developing a digital talking book and Braille book system for use by the blind and physically handicapped community. The following elements drive the design of the program: NLS offers a free library service; NLS is consumer-driven; NLS pays no royalties to copyright holders; the program is accessible to a wide variety of users; and the program's primary focus is the recreational and informational reading needs of patrons. Three assumptions have been made in planning for the next-generation talking book system: the system will be digitally based; the current cassette system will be in use for another seven to ten years; and a standard or slightly modified version of a widely-used consumer product/technology will be used to gain cost benefits of mass production. A National Information Standards Organization effort is underway to develop a standard to ensure compatibility of digital books, magazines, and playback equipment across national and agency boundaries. At the same time, four immediate tasks of the inhouse NLS group are: simulate a digital talking book using a personal computer; develop a computer-based life cycle cost analysis tool for the NLS system and candidate digital system; design and build a prototype digital collection accessing and archiving system; and design or select digital mastering and playback systems. (AEF)

This report describes the plans of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to convert their talking books service to a digitally based audio system. The NLS program selects and produces full-length books and magazines in braille and on recorded disc and cassettes and distributes them to a cooperating network of regional and subregional libraries, where they are circulated to eligible borrowers. The NLS plans to convert the talking book system to a digital system. The report outlines key factors in the design of the NLS system, steps in planning for the transition to a digital system, and design-phase tasks. Timing of introduction of the NLS digital talking books and the development of a technical standard for digital talking books through the National Information Standards Organization are also discussed. Examples of activities to test the effectiveness of the digital system are summarized and 20 steps of next-generation NLS technology are provided. The report emphasizes the need to involve consumers to gain feedback and describes methods of obtaining feedback. Appendices highlight details to be considered in implementing the digital talking-book program and a flow chart of the contracting process. (Contains 34 references.) (CR)

This report describes activities of the talking-book program of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress, with emphasis on activities conducted in cooperation with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) library program. First, the overall NLS program in the U.S. which circulates more than 23 million items and produces 2 million recordings of 2,000 print books a year as well as audio magazines and braille magazines is described. The paper reviews the history of the service since 1931, its collection, the equipment the library has designed and lends to eligible readers, and the library's distribution network. The report then details Canada/U.S. cooperative activities in the following areas: sale of audio/braille books; sale of audio/braille magazines; purchase of CNIB books by NLS; sale of audiocassette containers; maintenance of a Union Catalog of special-format books; development of a Birdsong Tutor program; development of the Reader Enrollment and Delivery System program; development of a "train the trainer" volunteer repair program; relationships between the Braille Departments of both institutions; the convening of an international conference; cooperation on advisory/technical committees; development of Friends of Libraries programs; and cooperation on copyright issues. (DB)

A study was conducted in 52 African countries to determine the extent of braille facilities for the blind, with the aim of choosing a location for a central braille producing facility. To make the selection, the factors of ease of communication (i.e., central location), political stability, and extent of already existing organizations for the blind were considered for each country. Ten possible choices are identified in Chapter 1, in a table showing population, literacy level, per capita income, and languages spoken. Chapter 2 presents a cost analysis of the braille producing methods of handcopied braille, press braille, and paperless braille. Nine appendices provide statistical and evaluation data in terms of: (1) geographic and economic conditions, (2) education and library statistics, (3) political conditions, (4) spoken languages, (5) published languages, (6) population tabulation, (7) braille capabilities, (8) a questionnaire and responses, and (9) independent evaluations. The problem of many indigenous languages (thus, the limited value of using one central language) is mentioned. (SW)

The paper reports a visit to the Union of the Blind in Croatia, an organization serving the needs of 4,500 blind individuals in this part of Yugoslavia. Briefly considered are personnel, financial support, and services (such as braille and talking book production). A separate section describes the organization's library, recorded and braille periodicals, the aids and appliances shop, and the museum (which collects and displays things related to the life of blind individuals). Other services for the blind (such as an income subsidy from the state and reduced transportation costs) are noted. The school for the blind currently serving 210 students at the primary and secondary levels is described. Briefly noted are trips to the National and University Library and Tito's birthplace. (DB)