Digital Talking Books and Players Have Arrived
A new era is beginning for readers with visual and physical disabilities. Digital talking books and players are now arriving at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). This new format will eventually replace the outdated analog audiocassette books and players used since the 1970s. The digital books and players are being distributed by the Library as they are produced.
The new digital system has many advantages. Slightly larger than a credit card, the digital talking book is a flash cartridge that provides a clearer sound quality. An entire book can fit on one cartridge (for most of the collection) and will play without flipping sides. The format is very reliable since the cartridge has no breakable moving parts.
Smaller and lighter than the audiocassette machine, the digital player is more portable. It also has enhanced navigation features for the reader to jump to various sections. Consumer testers appreciated its sound quality, tone, volume responsiveness and variable speed capability as well as its index and bookmark features.
One feature many readers appreciate is the ability of the new Digital Talking Book Player to use a small external flash drive, commonly called a "Thumb Drive" to store the titles they have downloaded from the NLS BARD web site or other sources. These are available from many different places and come in a variety of storage sizes depending on your needs.
To help you get acquainted with the player, we have prepared a Quick Reference Guide to the controls of the Digital Talking Book Player. You may view it on-line or download it to your computer for future use or printing by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently ran a story about the Digital Transition. You may access the article through the following link: www.post-gazette.com.
To learn more, call LBPH at 800.242.0586 or e-mail lbph@carnegielibrary.org. You may also visit the LBPH Web site at: www.carnegielibrary.org/lbph.
Our Digital Collection Is Continually Expanding
Our volunteer narrators and editors have been busy. Their combined efforts have resulted in a number of new locally-produced titles, including this one:
The Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City
by Dennis P. McIlnay
DBL 398
Click the headphones to hear a sample from this title
During World War II, Adolf Hitler conceived a plot to cripple the American war machine by destroying the Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania. In July 1942, the FBI searched the homes of 225 Altoona residents, suspecting them to be Nazi sympathizers. The author describes these little-known events using information from 300 sources, including diaries, military records, court briefs, and FBI files.
For more locally produced titles on digital cartridges,
visit our New Pennsylvania Titles Page by clicking this link.
Funding for the library’s recording studio was made possible by the Western Pennsylvania Medical Eye Bank Foundation and the FISA Foundation. Additional funding was provided by an LSTA grant through the Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania.
Recently Added Large Print Titles
The Snowman
by Jo Nesbo
CL 14613
Oslo detective Harry Hole is tracking a serial killer who leaves snowmen at murder scenes. Hole’s new young colleague believes there is a link between the crimes and a long-missing cop from her town. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex.
For more recently added Large Print titles,
visit our In the Bag page by clicking this link.
For more information about these books and other titles in our Digital Talking Books collection, call our Library at 800-242-0586, e-mail the Library lbph@carnegielibrary.org or visit us at 4724 Baum Boulevard in Pittsburgh.
Seasonal Suggestions
Reading knows no season, but we've collected some romantic titles to match this up-coming Valentine's Day! Follow this link to see our suggestions. Not all titles are available in all media.
Favorites About Our Four Legged Friends
Some of our best friends have four legs and here is a collection of books about Dogs and Cats. Follow this link to see our choices. Not all titles are available in all media.
Community Events
Third Thursday Book Discussion GroupStarting at 1 PM on Thursday, January 19th.
Join us as we discuss "Serena" by Ron Rash. Set in 1930's North Carolina, the newlywed title character arrives with her husband in the lumber empire he created. Serena proves herself to be the equal of any man at the camp, but as her influence grows so, too, does her greed and ruthlessness.
If you enjoy discussing the books you read, you can join this group, by either sending an e-mail to the Library at lbph@carnegielibrary.org or by calling the Library at
412-687-2440 / 800-242-0586 Toll Free
Scheduled Library Closings
Our next scheduled closing will be:
Monday, May 28, 2012
in observance of Memorial Day
Now that we have entered the snowy season, we will try to post any weather realted closings here and at the top of this page.
Our normal business hours are
Monday through Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Remember, we are always open on-line!
You may also order books by voice using VOPAC.
Call 412-621-7762 or Toll Free 800-747-0715
