Equipment
Request an NLS Digital Talking Book Player or braille eReader to read your NLS and locally recorded audio and electronic braille books and magazines. If you need a player email NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov or call 1-888-388-2460.
Digital Talking Books Machines
- Plays NLS (ANSI/NISO Z39.86:2002) digital talking books
- Plays Daisy 2.02 digital talking books
- Plays AMR-WB+, MP3, and WAV audiofiles
- Has eight controls
- Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch
- Is portable
- Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord
Some controls on the Talking Book player you may find useful:
- The white speed control buttons are on the top right side of the player. Press the arrow pointing up to speed up the narrator and read faster. Press the arrow pointing down to slow down playback; this may help if you have trouble understanding the narrator.
- The white tone control buttons are on the top left side of the player. Narrators have a wide variety of voices, from deep to high pitched. Adjusting the tone may allow you to better hear or understand a particular narrator. It can also help when listening to older books that were originally recorded on tape.
- The sleep button is shaped like a crescent moon and is located just above the large green Play/Stop button. If you press it, the player will play for 15 minutes, then automatically shut off. This comes in handy if you tend to fall asleep while listening. You can press it twice for 30 minutes, 3 times for 45 minutes, or 4 times for an hour of play.
- Holding the play/stop button down will launch the bookshelf feature for navigating a digital cartridge that contains more than one book or magazine.
- Don’t forget the player has built-in instructions. Make sure there is no book cartridge in the player, press the red power button to turn it on, then press any button to hear how it works.
- Plays NLS (ANSI/NISO Z39.86:2002) digital talking books
- Plays Daisy 2.02 digital talking books
- Plays AMR-WB+, MP3, and WAV audiofiles
- Has thirteen controls, including a row of controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels of a book
- Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch
- Is portable
- Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord
Some controls on the Talking Book player you may find useful:
- The white speed control buttons are on the top right side of the player. Press the arrow pointing up to speed up the narrator and read faster. Press the arrow pointing down to slow down playback; this may help if you have trouble understanding the narrator.
- The white tone control buttons are on the top left side of the player. Narrators have a wide variety of voices, from deep to high pitched. Adjusting the tone may allow you to better hear or understand a particular narrator. It can also help when listening to older books that were originally recorded on tape.
- The sleep button is shaped like a crescent moon and is located just above the large green Play/Stop button. If you press it, the player will play for 15 minutes, then automatically shut off. This comes in handy if you tend to fall asleep while listening. You can press it twice for 30 minutes, 3 times for 45 minutes, or 4 times for an hour of play.
- Holding the play/stop button down will launch the bookshelf feature for navigating a digital cartridge that contains more than one book or magazine.
- Don’t forget the player has built-in instructions. Make sure there is no book cartridge in the player, press the red power button to turn it on, then press any button to hear how it works.
The DA2 is the newest player from NLS and offers built-in Wi-Fi for connecting to BARD, Bluetooth connectivity, 28GB internal storage, embedded Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine with TTS voice options, buttons with high-contrast color, braille and print labels for keypad controls, sleep timer, built-in audio instructions, bookshelf feature and audio playback from NLS cartridges and USB thumb drives.
Limited quantities of DA2 units are available right now. Please contact the library to ask about availability.
A DA2 Getting Started page and a DA2 User Guide are available to help you use the new machine. The DA2 User Guide in braille [BRF] is also available.
If you have hearing issues, NLS has a high-volume player. To get the high-volume player make a request using the high-volume player eligibility form - fillable PDF.
If you already have a player you can keep it updated with the latest features and problem fixes by downloading the latest digital talking book player firmware. Read the page carefully and follow the instructions.
To obtain the latest software or check if an update is available on the DA2 using its Software Update menu:
- Press and hold the Info button to get into the menus.
- Press the right arrow to get to Settings.
- Press Info to confirm.
- Press the right arrow to get to Software Update and press Info to confirm.
The Info button is square, the only orange button and has a letter I in braille on the actual button. The right arrow is to the right of the Info button. It has a raised filled triangle pointing right, is white and has a letter r in braille to the right of the button.
The following choices are present:
- Automatic check (on by default; press Info to turn this off)
- Check for update (this will initiate a manual connection to the update server)
- Back (will return you to the previous menu level)
Please note, once the Third-Party Player Key has been authorized on a for purchase player, the Library and NLS BARD technical support at NLSDownload@loc.gov provides minimal support for third-party products. Patrons should consult their player's documentation or contact the vendor for technical assistance, including help with installing the player key. Due to differences in downloading and transferring BARD content to purchased players from the NLS digital talking book player, the vendor of the particular third-party for purchase player is in the best position to provide technical support for their own products.
Getting a Key to Play NLS Talking Books
The main reason why a third-party player won't play books, even when you can get into BARD and download books and magazines, is because it doesn't have a key to unlock the books. In order to comply with the rules of the program, third-party players do NOT come with pre-installed keys. To get a key for your player you need to make sure you have registered or added it on to your BARD account.
To get your Key, register your player:
- Log in to BARD. This will take you to the Main Page
- Go to the section titled "Additional Links"
- Select "Update account settings". This will open up another screen
- Select "Add a purchased player". This will take you to the form to add a purchased player to your account
- Read the page carefully
- Check to make sure your information is correct on the form
- Please select the type of player you will be using from the drop down list by entering the first letter of the manufacturer of your player
- Select the "Next" button. This will take you to the page to find your Serial Number, which will be used to create your key
- Read the instructions carefully
- Enter the Serial Number of your player in the box
- Select the "Submit Player Request" button. This sends the information to the manufacturer of your player
- Typically it can take several days to get the key from the manufacturer. Please be patient.
- The manufacturer will send the key to the email of your BARD account
- Follow the instructions in the email carefully and install your key
- Your player should now be able to play NLS books and magazines
Braille eReaders
This is a refreshable braille device that allows us to ship braille books to you on a cartridge, the same as we do with audio books. You then transfer the items from the cartridge to your eReader. You can also use the machine to download books directly from BARD. The 5” x 7 ½" eReader can hold an amazing amount of books that you can keep for as long as you are a patron.
Here is what you can expect to receive:
- Getting Started Guide and Full Instruction Manual Braille eReader
- Sample eBraille Cartridge
- Carrying Case
- Carrying Lanyard
- Cartridge Connector Cord
- Power Cord and Power Adapter
For help with or more information about the Zoomax eReader, access the NLS Braille eReader Zoomax Getting Started or NLS Braille eReader Zoomax User Guide and NLS Braille eReader Zoomax Frequently Asked Questions.
A Zoomax eReader How-To Series video playlist is available on the NLS YouTube channel.
The library is able to offer a limited quantity of HumanWare eReaders for patrons instead of a Zoomax model. Please contact the library to ask about availability.
For help with or more information about the HumanWare eReader, access the NLS Braille eReader HumanWare Getting Started or NLS Braille eReader HumanWare User Guide and NLS Braille eReader HumanWare Frequently Asked Questions.
A HumanWare eReader How-To video playlist is available on the NLS YouTube channel.
You may request a sample eBraille cartridge with twenty preselected books from our collection. To access these books, follow these simple steps: Use the provided cartridge connector cable to connect the cartridge to the eReader's USB-A port. The books will automatically load onto your eReader.
Currently, our system is optimized for either embossed or eBraille, but not both simultaneously. We will not be able to deliver additional eBraille books to you until you have decided to switch from embossed Braille. Should you decide to transition to eBraille, we'll start sending books on cartridges like the sample one. Load these books onto your eReader, and return the cartridges to us – no need to hold onto them as the books are stored on your device. We're here to support you throughout this transition. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us by calling 1-888-388-2460 or emailing NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov. Happy reading!
The Patron Engagement Section has launched a new monthly program called That All May eRead on Zoom. This program, scheduled monthly for the last Tuesday night of each month, focuses on using the NLS Braille eReaders. Each session begins with a brief demonstration of a feature or use case. The rest of the hour is spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders.
Equipment Accessories
If you need a pair of headphones for your player, email NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov or call 1-888-388-2460 and ask for a pair free of charge.
NLS has a specially made USB cable that allows you to attach a digital talking book cartridge to a computer. Email NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov or call 1-888-388-2460 and ask for a pair free of charge.
NLS has a specially made USB angle adapter that allows an USB thumb drive to be flush with the side of the side of the NLS Digital Talking Book Player. Email NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov or call 1-888-388-2460 and ask for a pair free of charge.