| Patron Handbook |
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| Equipment |
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Q. What types of equipment is loaned by TBABS?
A. TBABS may loan one cassette player to each registered patron. Accessories are also available. The equipment and accessories available are described below:
Cassette Players
1. Standard Cassette Book Machine (C-1)
- Plays NLS (4 tracks at 15/16 inches per second) and commercial (2 tracks at 1 7/8 inches per second) cassettes.
- Is portable.
- Is equipped with a rechargeable NICAD battery and an electrical cord.
- Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed.
- Has a control for stop, rewind, play, fast forward, and eject. Includes controls for volume, tone, a selector for LBPH/commercial tapes, and a control for selecting which track is playing.
2. Easy Cassette Machine (E-1)
- plays only NLS 4 track tapes recorded at 15/16 inches per second.
- must be plugged into an electrical outlet-does not have a battery.
- does not include a variable speed control.
- automatically rewinds cassettes.
- automatically plays all four sides of each cassette without the need to turn over the tape.
- has only two controls, but lacks the versatility of the Standard C-1 cassette book machine.
- limited supply available – may be unsatisfactory unless disability makes use of standard cassette book machine difficult.
Accessories
1. Amplifier
- for persons with profound hearing loss.
- requires separate application and certification. Equipment is issued by NLS.
2. Remote Control
- for persons confined to bed or with limited mobility.
- turns cassette player on and off, but will not control other functions.
- requires separate application and certification. Equipment is issued by NLS.
3. Breath Switch
- for persons with little or no use of their extremities.
- must be used with remote control.
- mark check box on the Remote Control Application. Equipment is issued by NLS.
4. Extension Levers
- for persons who have difficulty manipulating the key controls on a C1 cassette player. To obtain this accessory please contact your TBABS representative.
5. Pillow Speaker
- only available for persons who are confined to bed.
- is placed under the reader's pillow and is normally heard only by the reader. To obtain this accessory please contact your TBABS representative.
6. Standard Headphones
- issued to readers who must have them to use the program, such as readers in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools where loudspeakers are not permitted.
- used with or without amplifier for patrons with moderate hearing loss.
- plugs into the ¼ inch earphone jack on the players. To obtain this accessory please contact your TBABS representative.
7. Light Weight Headphones
- issued to readers who must have them to use the program, such as readers in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools where loudspeakers are not permitted.
- plugs into the 1/8 inch small earphone jack on the players.
- limited quantities; not always available. To obtain this accessory please contact your TBABS representative.
8. Talking Book Marker
- stops the tape playback when the switch is released therefore marking the place in the book where reader fell asleep.
- plugs into the Remote Control jack of the C1 cassette player.
- must be held in the hand to operate. To obtain this accessory please contact your TBABS representative.
Q. How will I know how to use the cassette player?
A. Each cassette player comes with instructions on tape and in large print. The cassette instruction tape is already in the machine. Side 1 is the English version and side 3 is the Spanish instruction.
Listen to the instruction tape carefully (several times if needed). To play the instruction tape, follow the directions below:
If you have a Standard Cassette Book Machine (C1):
- Locate the PLAY button and press it. The PLAY button is the green button with the raised O on the top of it. It is the middle button of the 5 buttons on the left front of the machine.
- When you press play, the machine will run using its battery and the instruction tape will begin.
- When you are ready to listen to an NLS book on tape, just follow the instructions you heard. The narrator on each side of each tape will instruct you when to "turn the tape over" and when to "change the side selector switch”.
- Remember, when you begin a new book, your SIDE SELECTOR rocker switch should be rocked down to the left so side 1 will play.
- The SPEED SELECTOR rocker switch should stay rocked down to the left unless you are listening to a 2 track commercial tape.
- Follow the battery care instructions on the instruction tape.
If you have an Easy Cassette Machine (E1):
- Plug in the machine.
- Be sure the sliding door over the cassette tape is pulled forward (it will cover about half of the cassette tape)
- Slide the VOLUME control slide to the right. The instruction tape will begin playing. The Easy machine only has two controls. The Volume control is the one on the left
- When you are ready to listen to an LBPH cassette book, just follow the instructions you heard
- Remember, with an Easy machine, you never have to change sides or turn the cassette over; Ignore the narrators prompt to turn the cassette over or change the side selector switch
- If you remove a cassette from the Easy machine, the machine will automatically rewind it when you reinsert it. So, if you don't want to lose your place, don't remove the cassette until the narrator says, "This is the end of Side 4” or until the book is finished.
Q. What do I do if a talking book machine doesn't work properly?
A. After listening to the instruction tape for your machine, if you have any problems with operating your machine, please call TBABS. If you are a new reader, we will work with you over the phone until you are comfortable operating the machine. Be sure to have the machine with you when you call. The library’s phone numbers and address are on the front cover of this Patron Handbook. Our toll free number is 1-800-452-0292.
If the machine is malfunctioning, call TBABS. The TBABS staff can advise you how to proceed. If repairs are necessary, the machine can be returned to the library free of charge using the original mailing container and the Free Matter mailing label that came with it. If necessary another Free Matter label can be obtained upon request by calling TBABS. There is no cost for the phone calls or the machine repair. In most cases a replacement machine can be sent to you the next day.
Q. How long may I borrow the equipment?
A. You may keep the equipment as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and read at least one book or magazine a year from TBABS. The equipment is the property of the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. It is provided on extended loan to our registered patrons and must be returned to us when service is discontinued.
Q. How do I clean and care for the equipment?
A. Use a slightly damp cloth moistened with a mild household cleaner such as 409 or Simple Green. Wipe the outside case only. Do not apply cleaning, lubricating, or bug-killing sprays to the equipment as they may enter the inside operating mechanisms and cause damage.
TBABS staff offers the following recommendations for patrons who have NLS equipment:
- Open the equipment container upon receipt.
- Plug the machine into an electrical outlet.
- Read and listen to the machine instructions carefully.
- Save the instructions (printed and/or recorded) near the machine for easy reference.
- Store the box in a dry place so you may use it to return the machine when needed.
- Take reasonable care of the equipment. Keep it clean.
- DO NOT allow food or drink where the equipment is being used. Food and drink are a leading cause of destroyed equipment. Continued patron abuse of equipment will result in suspension of service.
- Keep the battery charged if the model you are assigned has one.
- Plug in the machine. Be sure the electrical outlet and your extension cord (if using one) are working properly.
- If the equipment malfunctions, call TBABS. Do Not attempt to service the machine yourself.
- Do not exchange equipment with other users.
- Respond promptly to correspondence, surveys, and questions regarding equipment from TBABS.
- Stolen or fire damaged equipment must be reported to TBABS as soon as reasonable.
- Notify TBABS if you wish to discontinue service. At that time, the machine must be returned to TBABS.
- Always call TBABS prior to returning equipment. We can ensure you get your replacement equipment in a timely manner.
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