NLS Releases Plan for the Implementation of Digital Systems

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) recently released its Current Strategic Business Plan for the Implementation of Digital Systems, September 2006.

Through a national network of state agencies and libraries, NLS provides free recorded and Braille books, and cassette talking book playback machines to eligible adults and children. In Ohio this service is provided collaboratively by the State Library of Ohio, the Cleveland Public Library, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and the Cincinnati Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

In late 2008, NLS will begin transitioning from using analog cassette tapes and playback machines to digital machines that will utilize flash drive technology. NLS expects the transition from analog to digital to take about four years to complete, depending on funding levels. During this transition period, both forms of playback machines and recorded books will be maintained and distributed.

Digital playback machines will be about a third of the size and half the weight of existing cassette machines. Since the new machine is digital, it has virtually no moving parts other than a few push buttons. It was designed to be resistant to spilled liquids and to last ten years in the field without repair.

Digital cartridges containing the audio file will be about the size of a credit card, which is large enough to accommodate large print and Braille labels. Digital cartridges will also have a finger hole to allow for easy insertion and extraction of audio file.

A photograph of both devices along with a more detailed list of functions can be found at: http://www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/playerdescription.html

Distribution of digital talking book titles will employ the same business model as is currently used for distribution of titles on cassette tapes. This will be a mass-duplication model whereby titles are mass produced by NLS and allocated to network libraries, which will store and circulate titles to patrons. During the transition phase, network libraries will be required to store and circulate both formats of talking books-digital cartridges and (analog) cassettes. A hybrid option of distribution that permits network libraries to duplicate digital talking books on demand is being evaluation by NLS; however, this option will not be implemented until after the initial transition is completed sometime after 2012.

First Lady Laura Bush Visits Ohio

Columbus, Ohio – First Lady Laura Bush (left) spoke in Granville on September 26, 2006. Lucille Hastings, past president of the State Library Board of Ohio, thanked Mrs. Bush for her continuing advocacy and leadership to support Federal Library Funding for Ohio through the Federal Library Services and Technology Act.

"Mrs. Bush has made an enormous difference in public awareness aof the value of library services and the immediate need for librarian recruitment and training," stressed Hastings.

State Library approves OPLIN Filtering Grants

At the October 26 State Library Board meeting the Board approved six filtering grants for a total of $48,550.70 at the recommendation of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board. The grants are in addition to 34 grants totaling $59,732 already awarded by OPLIN though its filtering assistance program. Grants under $5,000 do not require approval by the State Library Board.

The program was started by OPLIN and the State Library of Ohio in 2001 after the Ohio General Assembly provided funds in the state budget to provide financial assistance to public libraries interested in implementing filtering technology for managing public access to the Internet. The legislature allocated $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2007 for purchasing filtering technology. OPLIN will provide assistance to a library system up to $10,000 of the cost of implementing Internet content filtering technology. The funds may be used for software, hardware, or support fees directly related to the implementation of filtering.