Technological Developments in the Delivery of Books and Magazines

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)