FAQs

Here are a Few Frequently Asked Questions about TBBC and our Services.  If you still have questions, call TBBC toll-free at 1-800-792-8322.

About Us: The New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) is a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the U.S. Library of Congress.  We are affiliated with the New Jersey State Library and with Thomas Edison State College. There is no cost to our members for TBBC’s services.

Who is eligible for TBBC’s services?

New Jersey Residents are Eligible: TBBC provides services to New Jersey residents of any age (including children, teens and adults) who cannot read standard print, hold a book in his/her hand or turn the pages of a book. This   includes individuals whose ability to read may be affected by:

• A Physical Impairment
• A Reading Disability
• A Vision Impairment

Eligible individuals can choose from the following services: long-term loan of a digital audiobook player, loans of audiobooks on digital cartridges, downloadable audiobooks and magazines, loans of Braille Books, access to audio news reading services, and downloadable Web Braille. All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress.  Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC.

Download an application for individuals.

Places that Serve Qualifying NJ Residents are Eligible:  Any place that "might be expected to include" at any time clients who meet our eligibility criteria can apply for an institutional account.  Examples include assisted living centers, continuing care communities, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools for the blind. A facility can have audiobook players, audiobooks, Braille books, a BARD account for downloading audiobooks and magazines, and access to TBBC's audio news reading service, Audiovision. These places can also register individuals for individual accounts. These institutional applications are called deposit accounts, but there is no cost. All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress. Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC. The institutional deposit account application should be completed, signed, and mailed back to TBBC. Download an application for facilities.

Libraries Are Eligible: Libraries may have deposit accounts and can have long-term loans of audiobook players, a collection of audiobooks, and a collection of Braille books to use with patrons.  Libraries can also register their patrons for individual accounts. All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress. Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC. The library deposit account application should be completed and mailed back to TBBC. Download an application for libraries.

How does a person apply for TBBC’s services?

Step 1:  An individual must apply for TBBC’s services and have his/her eligibility certified. An application can be downloaded from the TBBC web site. If a person does not have computer access, he/she can call TBBC at 1-800-792-8322 for an application to be sent by mail.

Step 2:  Application must be certified (see second page of the application). 

Step 3: The original, signed and certified application must be mailed to:

New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center, P.O. Box 501,  Trenton NJ 08618. Mark the outside of the envelope “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped” and it will ship to TBBC postage-free.  The last page of the application is a return label; you can simply fold the application in half and mail it to us.

Snapshot of Services Offered by TBBC

Audiobooks and Audiobook Players:  TBBC receives digital audiobook cartridges and digital audiobook players from NLS. Registered members of TBBC are entitled to long-term loans of audibook cartridges and an audiobook player. In addition, TBBC members will be eligible to download audiobooks and audio magazines from the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) web site of NLS.

Audio News Reading Services:  TBBC members will have access to two audio-news reading services: Audiovision and Newsline. Read below for more information.

Audiovision:  Audiovision is TBBC’s free 24/7 audio reading news service via cable, digital TV or internet streaming.  Select coverage of local New Jersey newspapers is narrated and additional programming is broadcast from around the country.  Only the internet streaming service requires registration with TBBC.     

Does a person need to apply for Audiovision?  If the patron wants to use the Audiovision internet streaming service, the patron must apply.  Otherwise, the “Listen Live” feature on the internet is free and a person can check the broadcast schedule to tune in for desired programs. 

Newsline:  Access to Newsline, available at no cost to New Jersey residents, is a web-based or telephone-based audio news and magazine service from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Patrons need to register separately for Newsline.  There are no institutional accounts.  Apply by contacting TBBC at 800-792-8322 or NFB-Newsline.

You can also listen to sample Newsline content:

• Dial 1-888-882-1629
• Enter ID # 000999
• Enter Security Code # 9999

Newsline for New Jersey residents is funded by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NJCBVI).

Does a Patron need to Apply for Newsline?  Yes.  The patron can apply by contacting TBBC at 800-792-8322 or by contacting NFB-Newsline. If the patron has any difficulty with the online application, he/she can call Newsline at 1-866-504-7300.

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download):  Free downloadable digital audiobooks and audio magazines are available from BARD through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).  A person or facility must first be registered with TBBC and then must apply separately online for BARD.  If any person or any facility has difficulty with an online BARD application, he/she can call TBBC toll-free at 1-800-792-8322.  Once a person applies for BARD, it will take approximately 3 days for the registration to be completed.

Does a person or facility need to apply for BARD?  Yes.  The services from BARD require a separate online BARD application.

Individual BARD application

BARD application for institutions

Will the BARD audiobooks play on a computer or laptop?  No. The files are encrypted by NLS to protect their copyright.  The BARD files will only play on the Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM) or other approved devices.  A list of NLS- approved devices is available to registered BARD users. Patrons will have to downloadsoftware patches for their approved devices. If anyone has questions, he/she can call TBBC at 800-792-8322.

Do the BARD audiobooks expire? No, the BARD audiobooks do not expire.

Braille Books: TBBC has a collection of Braille books that can be loaned to TBBC members. There are two ways to search our Braille collection: you can review the online index to Braille Book Review or you can search our online catalog and limit your search to Braille. Call TBBC with any requests at 1-800-792-8322.

Large-Print books for Children and Young Adults:  TBBC has a collection of large print books for K-12 children and for young adults. To request a book, call TBBC at 1-800-792-8322 and ask for children's services.

Web-Braille: Web-Braille is a web-based service from NLS that provides access to braille books, magazines, and music scores. Web-Braille files may be read online or downloaded for viewing off-line or for embossing. Reading Web-Braille files requires a braille display, braille-aware notetaker, or braille embosser. For more information, see the NLS web braille fact sheet.

Does a Patron need to Apply for Web-Braille?  Yes.  The patron must first be registered with TBBC.  Once registered, the person should contact TBBC to register for Web-Braille.  The person can call TBBC at 800-792-8322 or contact us via email at tbbc@njstatelib.org
 

How can a specific Web-Braille book be located?

Web-Braille books may be located in two ways:

Online catalog. Links to Web-Braille books are included in the NLS International Union Catalog. To retrieve Web-Braille titles using the quick search page, type the words “web braille” (as two words with no hyphen) in the keyword field.  The results list will contain a link to each volume of a Web-Braille title. When a Web-Braille volume is selected, the user will be prompted for a Web-Braille user ID and password.

Online Braille Book Review. The web version of each bimonthly issue of Braille Book Review since July–August 1999 contains links to braille books recently added to the book collection and available on Web-Braille. The online version of Braille Book Review .

What is the Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM)?  Individuals, facilities or libraries registered with TBBC will be eligible to receive a long-term loan of a digital talking book machine (DTBM).  The DTBM is produced by NLS.  An audio-described video demo of the player is on TBBC’s YouTube channel .

The DTBM plays digital book cartridges provided by TBBC or audiobooks downloaded from BARD to removable devices, such as flash drives. 

The DTBM has large buttons, braille labels and built in audio instructions.  Each button speaks its function (e.g. “player on,” “volume up,” etc.)

There are two DTBM models: A basic model (DS1) and an advanced model (DA1). Here is a complete guide to both models of the auidiobook players.

Are there software updates for the DTBM?  Yes, it is important to keep the players up-to-date on their software.  Software updates and instructions for downloading the updates are online.

I downloaded from BARD multiple books and magazines to a flash drive.  How do I access them on the DTBM?

Plug the flash drive into the USB port that is on the right side of the player next to the port for headphones.  The player will count the number of items on the USB flash drive. To access each item on the flash drive, hold down the large, square, green, Play/Stop button until you hear “bookshelf.”  Then, use the fast forward and rewind buttons to locate each book or magazine.

Will music play on the DTBM?  Yes. MP3 files and RIFF WAV files will play. You must use a separate flash drive that does not contain any BARD files for your MP3 or RIFF WAV files.

If something is not working on the DTBM, what should I do? Return it to TBBC?  If you have a problem with your digital talking book player, there are a few steps you can take to try to diagnose the problem:

Check for Errors on the DTBM and Reset it

Step 1: Turn the player on while simultaneously holding down the Tone Up, Rewind and Sleep buttons.

Step 2: If there is an error in your player, you will hear the player announce one of the following error messages: Cartridge Error, Assistive Technology Error, Power Error, System Error.

Step 3: To erase these errors, hold down the Sleep button for 5 seconds.   The player will shut off.

Step 4: Try resetting the machine again.  This will erase any personal settings you have on the machine. To do this, turn the player off and simultaneously, hold down these buttons: Power, Tone Up, Speed Up, Volume Up.

When you you hear, "Creating a New Profile,” the player is reset.

Step 5: If you have followed all of the steps above and the player is still not working, it could be that the battery needs to be replaced. First, make sure that the battery is recharged by plugging the power cord, found on the back of the player, into an outlet. It takes approximately 2 hours for the battery to recharge.  If the battery does not recharge, pack up the player and ship it back to TBBC in the original box. We will replace the battery and return the player to you.

You can always cal TBBC a 1-800-792-83 with any questions.

How do I Recharge the Battery on the DTBM?  The DTBM battery will only recharge when the battery charge is very low. With the player on, press the power button again to hear how many hours of battery life you have left on the machine.  When you hear 6 hours, recharge the battery. To do this, plug the power cord (found on the back of the machine) into an outlet.  It takes approximately 2 hours for the battery to fully recharge.  Note that the DTBM battery will not automatically recharge each time you plug the cord into an outlet. It will only recharge when the battery’s charge is very low.

How do I change the player language from English to Spanish?  English is the default language of the player. To change the player to Spanish, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn off player. Make sure the player is plugged into an outlet.

Step 2: Hold down the Tone Down, Sleep, and Rewind buttons and press the Power button. After a few seconds, the player will beep and say "Player on" and then "Player Status."

Step 3: Press the Rewind button twice. Player will say "Set Language."

Step 4: Press the Play button. Player will say "English."

Step 5: Press Fast Forward; then press Play. Player speaks Spanish.

Step 6: Turn the player off.

Step 7:  Turn the player on and insert the Spanish book.

How do I change the player language from Spanish to English? English is the default language of the player. Spanish is the secondary language. To change the player to English, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn off player. Make sure the player is plugged into an outlet.

Step 2: Hold down the Tone Down, Sleep, and Rewind buttons and press the Power button – begin counting….Before you reach 10, the player will beep and say "Reproductor Encendido"and then "Estado del Reproductor."

Step 3: Press the Rewind button twice. Player will say "Asignar El Idioma."

Step 4: Press the Play button. Player will say "Ingles."

Step 5: Press the Play button again.  The player will now speak English.

Step 6: Turn the player off and insert your English book.

Do you still have questions?  Contact TBBC at 1-800-792-8322