Touch and Listen
The Newsletter of the Florida Braille and Talking Book Library

Fall 2022

Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You: Duplication on Demand!
The Regional Library is moving to a new service model to deliver books faster and more efficiently than ever through a new service: Duplication on Demand! Instead of multiple cartridges with individual books, all book requests will be placed on one easy to manage cartridge created just for that user. 

Duplication on Demand solves some of the biggest issues and is simply a faster service with no waiting for the titles someone wants to read. The entire collection is always available, and library patrons can still select their favorite subjects, authors, series, and other preferences. They will also be able to select the frequency in which they receive new cartridges and how many books they would like on each cartridge. 

Additionally, books will continue to be available from the online Talking Book Topics catalog, which includes older titles. To order just call 1-800-226-6075 or reach out to the library that services your account anytime to connect with your Reader Advisor who will take your book order. Orders may also be placed by email: OPAC_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org. 

Many subregional libraries are in the process of completing this change, and library patrons may contact their library to find out when Duplication on Demand will be available. 

Why the Change?
•	Access to more books with no waiting lists. Currently library patrons who rely on mail delivery are limited to the physical books on our shelves.  There are many older titles we do not have, and many popular titles have waiting lists.  With Duplication, every book is available all the time.
•	The option to request for all books in a particular series to be placed in order on a single cartridge (space permitting). Requests can also be made for all books by a particular author or books on a particular topic be placed on one cartridge.  Otherwise, books will continue to be randomly selected by the computer according to the user’s preferences.
•	Fewer cartridges to keep track of.  Multiple books will fit on one cartridge, which will reduce any problem with mixing up cartridges and containers.  Plus, your postal worker may also appreciate toting fewer items.
•	NLS will stop creating single title cartridges soon. With Duplication on Demand, library patrons are assured of getting all the newly released books.

How does it work?
1.	Books will continue to be selected using the current process, whether a user selects from the catalog, their prior preferences of authors and series, or by calling to request specific books.
2.	Duplication on Demand mailing containers are blue and will arrive with no book number or title stickers. The mailing card will simply display the library patron’s address on one side and the library’s return address on the other.  Cartridges can be returned by turning the card over and reinserting it so the library’s return address shows. For convenience, the cut corner for the mailing card is on the upper right side and the library’s return address is also shown on a sticker under the mailing card. This will allow the cartridge to still be returned in the event the mailing card is lost.
3.	Instructions are included on each cartridge. The cartridge will automatically begin playing when inserted into the player. Books can be enjoyed in their respective order on the cartridge, simply press the play/stop button when you hear “end of book” to get to the next title. Also, the player’s Bookshelf feature can be used to select a book to read. 
4.	Cartridges are on loan for 45 days.  Reader Advisors will continue to send the same number of books that are being received currently. They will just be on one cartridge instead of several. If a change in the number of books is desired, simply call to raise or lower the amount. Just remember to return the cartridge in order to receive another one.
5.	Note: Patrons may still receive NLS magazines and local magazine anthologies.

We understand that this change may take some getting used to, especially if one has never used the Bookshelf feature or received more than one book title on one cartridge.  Please feel free to call us or the library that services your account if you have any questions or problems.  Have your player nearby, and we can walk you through the process.  

Software Upgrade for Talking Book Players
Most users love the convenience of having several books on a single cartridge, but not everyone is comfortable using the Bookshelf to navigate between books.  Good news!  The NLS has released a new software upgrade for talking book players that will make it easier to go to the next book.  This update is included on all multiple-book cartridges and will install itself automatically when inserted into players. If your player is not updated, the player will let you know an update is in progress and ask that the cartridge not be removed or the player turned off. It will beep until the update is complete.  

Once the player is updated, use the following steps to move from one book to the next.  
1.	Play or fast forward the book past the closing announcements until you hear the “End of Book” message: “Press Play/Stop to go to the next book”. 
2.	Tap the square, green Play/Stop button and the next book will automatically start playing.  Please note: If 10 seconds go by with no button press (for example, because you have fallen asleep), the machine will repeat the prompt the next time you press Play/Stop.  

Keep in mind that the “End of Book” announcement must play, and you can only move to the next book.  You can still use the Bookshelf feature to move back and forth throughout all the books on your bookshelf to select the one you want to read.  

Hopefully this will make it easier for everyone to play multiple books on a cartridge.  If problems arise, please do not return the cartridge, but call the library for assistance. 

BARD Mobile Updates
NLS is releasing version 1.4.5 of the BARD Mobile Android app. This release brings major improvements, bug fixes, and increased stability since the March 2022 release.

Version 1.4.5 includes among other features:
•	the ability to pause and resume downloads
•	sort and search capabilities in Bookshelves and the various Get Book lists 
•	the ability to delete books from Wish List
•	a new More Info book details screen 
•	the ability to switch Recently Read books within the Now Reading screen 
•	a new Settings tab with new settings for User Account and Audio Settings pages
•	There are also a number of features in Audio Settings that are default set to “off,” such as:
o	background playback to play books without the screen on
o	auto-lock during playback to support uninterrupted background playback of books
o	automatic start playback to automate playing of books loading in the Now Reading screen 
o	automatic five-second rewind from the last reading position when returning to the Now Reading screen to resume playback 

The release includes more than a dozen bug fixes that include:
•	app stability with poor network connectivity, interruptions, and accessibility and configuration changes
•	audiobook Now Reading playback issues
•	resuming paused books downloads

If users have not automated BARD Mobile updates, they will need to go to the BARD Mobile entry in Google’s Play Store and enable the update. NLS recommends users enable the option to automate updates to ensure they receive timely updates. BARD Mobile users can confirm that they are running the latest version by checking the bottom of the app’s Settings screen.

NLS is releasing version 2.0 of the BARD Mobile iOS app. This is a major release and includes in-app search capability as well as several other feature updates, increased app stability, and bug fixes. 

With this update, BARD Mobile no longer includes the embedded view of the BARD website, but gives patrons the ability to search within the app by keyword, author, title, or annotation and, from the search results listings, download the book directly to their iPhone or iPad. Other enhancements to search capabilities include: 
•	Search inputs are more intuitive. Author search supports First Name, Last Name format; Last Name, First Name; and Last Name only. Quotation marks are no longer required. For example, input “Mary Clark” (without quotations) to find all the Mary Higgins Clark titles.
•	Keyword search supports searching all indexed metadata and can help users looking for multiple criteria. For example, to find a Terri Pratchett book narrated by Nick DePinto, a user can simply input “dePinto Terri“ (without quotations).
•	After a user inputs a search, they can amend the search type, the inputted term itself, or the format (audio or braille), and sort results alphabetically by author, title, or latest publication date.
•	In-app search now includes NLS Music collection holdings, allowing users to access the variety of musical appreciation and biography books, scores, and music instructional titles. 
•	Users can switch between audio and braille searches. For example, input “learn guitar” (without quotation marks) with the search defaults to find audio instructional titles, then select the braille format and the search button again to find braille titles. Version 2.0 also includes enhancements to searching and sorting Bookshelf and Get Books listings.

Additionally, Version 2.0 fixes problems with:
•	rewind controls skipping further than intended
•	side loading books 
•	downloading and reading non-ASCII foreign language book titles

Book Descriptions
NLS is now using publisher-provided book descriptions for new titles added to the collection in Braille Book Review, Talking Book Topics, and on BARD and in the catalog. This is an exciting enhancement as it empowers patrons with access to the same richer, more detailed descriptions of new NLS titles as print readers. These publisher descriptions are longer and more complete, presenting the same information to NLS patrons that is routinely used by other libraries and book providers. These descriptions provide more insight into book topics and will make it easier for patrons to identify and search titles of interest to them. We hope you enjoy this upgraded access to NLS collections.

News from Florida

Reading Programs for All Ages
We had a wonderful turnout for our Summer Reading program this year, with 59 participants reading a total of 857 books. These were enjoyed on physical audio cartridges, braille hard copy books, and also in braille and audio downloaded from the BARD app! Stay tuned, we will have a Winter Reading program coming soon!

Calling in to the Regional Library
We are happy to help and appreciate receiving calls from current and prospective library patrons! Please know that calls are answered and returned in the order in which they are received. As an alternative option, emailing orders is highly recommended to this email address: OPAC_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org. 

Thank you for your patience as we help everyone get what they need.

Fresh from the Recording Studio: New Books
Cook It Like A Native! By The Villagers, Inc. DBC17166. Cook It Like a Native is the first cookbook produced in over 20 years by The Villagers, Inc., a historic preservation organization in Miami, Florida. Inside you will find a collection of over 200 recipes thoughtfully contributed by the members, friends, and families of the organization. Dade County Pioneer Biographies ae also included.  Narrator: Joan Koechler. Reading time:  7 hrs. 50 min.

American Ghost by Janis Owens DBC17178. Unresolved family history and the racial tensions of the past threaten a love affair between two young Floridians.  Narrator:  Dave Archard. Reading time 10 hrs. 30 min.

Drying Up: The Fresh Water Crisis in Florida by John M. Dunn  DBC17130.  Dunn dives into the history of water in Florida from recreation to industry, and analyzes past and current hurdles contributing to water scarcity. Discussion of population growth, pollution, and legislation describes how we got here and where we’re in danger of heading.  Narrator:  Sue Christenson. Reading time 11 hrs. 55 min.

Start Here by Trish Doller DBC17121.  Three friends plan to spend the summer after high school sailing to Key West, but cancer gets to Finley first. Can Willa and Taylor make the trip in her honor as promised? Finley leaves clues and a map behind but are they enough to save the voyage—and the friendship?  Narrator:  Ellen Rabin. Reading time 7 hrs. 15 min.

Assassin’s Run: a David Slaton novel by Ward Larson DBC17123.  Assassin David Slaton is implicated in a murder he didn’t commit. To prove his innocence, he must investigate the forces behind major transportation innovations. How are they linked? And can Slaton live to clear his name?  Narrator:  Dave Archard. Reading Time:  13 hrs. 25 min.

Hannah Senesh, her life and diary: the first complete edition.by Hannah Senesh, forword by Marge Piercy; preface by Eitan Senesh  DBC17180. Hannah Senesh was born into a wealthy and well-known Jewish family in Budapest. In 1943, she volunteered to parachute into Nazi-occupied Hungary to help organize resistance and escape routes for Allied soldiers and Jewish civilians. She was captured and executed by the Nazis on November 7, 1944.  Narrator:  Ellen Rabin. Reading time:  12 hrs. 30 min.

The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services are part of the
Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services.
Visit our websites at www.dbs.fldoe.org or www.fldoe.org

Contact us at 1-800-226-6075 or via email at OPAC_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org