Checking out the NLS digital player

I use several forms of technology to read. I subscribe to Bookshare, which allows me to use software to read books on my computer. I also get books from NLS.

For years, I had a cassette player from NLS. It wasn't of much use to me since it used 4 sided cassettes that had to be turned over repeatedly which meant that my reading would be interrupted at the end of a cassette when I needed help to do that. So I put my name on a waiting list about a year and a half ago for a digital player. I just received one yesterday.

The model I was sent is the basic model. The photo shows the machine, with controls for power on/off (red) volume (yellow) play/stop (green) sleep (halfmoon white button) and arrow shaped white buttons for rewind and fast forward. At the bottom of the machine is the spot to insert the digital book. On top of the machine are buttons for tone and volume, as well as a speaker. The advanced model has additional navigation features.

The digital player not only accepts digital books in physical form which only have to be inserted once, but also allows the user to download books on a jump drive. You insert the drive into the side of the machine and listen. There's a photo of the jump drive inserted into the side of the machine at right. The download process involves unzipping files and placing them onto the jump drive, but it's not difficult and the library sent instructions along to help.

I'm enjoying the machine very much. Once the book is loaded, I can read the entire book without having to do much of anything except hit the very large play/stop button. The power goes off on the machine after it's idle for 30 minutes and it charges up to 29 hours which makes maintenance very easy. All in all, it's a huge help for someone with quadriplegia to have these updated features.

If you or a loved one or friend have difficulty reading due to a disability, check out the National Library for the Blind's free services.

New to the blogroll: Best Catholic Books

I found this gem of a blog through a reader's blogroll. Best Catholic Books is written by Sr. Julia from New Orleans, whose intro reads:

I became a Catholic because of a book. And I became a nun because of a bookstore--the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore in Philadelphia. And for 30 years, I've lived in a bookstore! (It's the perfect life for a book addict like me.) If you don't have some of the books I mention here, just write to me. As I said, I live in a bookstore!

Her posts feature books that she finds which are treasures as well as those she uses herself in her prayer life. Please go over and visit.

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I'd also like to mention that if any Catholics would like to volunteer to scan a Catholic book for Bookshare, it would be appreciated. If anyone could please do just one book, eventually that would help provide more Catholic books for readers. (Right now when you search under 'Catholic', you get eight books, although there are a few more. I found two books by Scott Hahn, for example.) Many of us Catholics with disabilities who rely on Bookshare to read would love to be able to read some of the Catholic books we see in print and it would be a great help and much appreciated.

Hey kids - bookshare and RFBD have the new Harry Potter!

If you have a disability and belong to bookshare and/or RFBD (or have a child who does), just a shout out that they have already scanned Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (I know my nephews are straining at the bit to get this....)

[visual description: A photo of the front cover of the new Harry Potter Book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Underneath the book title is a photo of Harry Potter in his wizard robes, with his left hand up in the air, palm extended, looking into the distance.]

The Wish List at bookshare.org

bookshare.org is an online organization that provides books for folks with visual and physical impairments. Volunteers scan books which are then read via software by readers.

bookshare has a wish list, which I've linked above. If you're interested in scanning books and volunteering for this great organization to increase the number of available books, please let them know! You'd really be helping a lot of people (and maybe I could find some Catholic books I've been wanting to read !)

bookshare.org

Are you unable to read print materials due to a visual or mobility disability? Check out bookshare.org!

I've belonged there since its inception. It provides books that you can download and read on your PC or Mac for the small contribution of $50 a year. Over the years, bookshare.org has grown - and now provides the NY Times Best seller list as well as newspapers. Their books are listed by author, title and genre (such as literature, science fiction, biography, etc.)

If you already belong to the National Library for the Blind, joining is easy! So click above and start reading.