I didn't read all of the post on this thread. But I will simply make several points. (1) I don't read fiction. I read almost exclusively nonfiction. I simply don't find many of the books I'm interested in in the NLS collection. (2) Since I can now easily scan books and read them on my BookPort, my reading has increase over 1000%. Since moving to this digital format I haven't touch a book on tape for over three years. I no longer desire tape. (3) I wish NSL would shift a lot of its efforts into scanning books instead of reproducing them in audio digital format. Scanning is quicker. In fact, it would ge great if digital copies of books could be gotten directly from publishers, which would mean immediate access to books. (4) I think the entire Library of Congress should request tooks in digital format and skip getting them in paper form. As you can see I'm simply digital now. Jim Nuttall--Michigan ----- Original Message ---- From: Shelley L. Rhodes <juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, October 5, 2007 4:48:27 PM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Duplicating NLS Titles I wholeheartedly agree with all of these comments and thoughts on cassette books. Smile, My motto is, I will scan a book if it interests me and if I can't get it easily, smile. Shelley L. Rhodes M.A., VRT, CTVI and Guinevere, Golden lady Guide juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc. Graduate Alumni Association Board www.guidedogs.com More than Any other time, When i hold a beloved book in my hand, my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free. - Helen Keller ----- Original Message ----- From: "Monica Willyard" <rhyami@xxxxxxxxx> To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 11:46 PM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Duplicating NLS Titles Hi. I can think of 4 compelling reasons to scan books that are currently available on cassette from NLS. In order of importance to me, they are: 1. NLS has said they're going to retire cassettes within a few years and do not plan to convert most of those titles to digital format. So they will be completely inaccessible in just a few years. 2013 is the year they're planning to begin this process. Does anyone remember what happened when they retired the great books on records? You still can't get over half of those older books anywhere now. 2. Cassettes are bulky and break easily. They are not really a great medium for books to begin with and are a hassle for people who like to read on the go. You can't easily search them for information you want or need, and you can't make bookmarks at your favorite passages while still being able to move around in the book. 3. Our deaf/blind and some of our learning disabled membership can't use audio and need material in Braille. 4. NLS has been grossly mismanaging their funding. Frankly, I think it's possible that they will be shut down if they don't shape up. Then we'd end up having to scan those books anyway, and we'd be reacting in a sort of panic. I'd rather have books in both places so if we lose one, we still have the other and aren't stranded. Monica Willyard Evan Reese wrote: > I don't think that it is true that we frown on duplicate books. > Personally, I don't think it should matter. I'm validating two books > now that are part of the NLS collection, and very well recorded at > that. There are many here who, for one reason or another, such as > being deaf-blind or hard of hearing, can't access most of NLS's > collection - since most of it is on tape. So whether a book is > available from NLS should not be a factor in deciding whether to scan > it for Bookshare. If it isn't in the collection, and it does not > violate the legalities, then it is fair game. > > I also like Nero Wolfe, but when other commitments will allow me the > time to scan any is something I'll have to look at. One thing in their > favor is that most of them are not very long books, so they should be > fairly quick scans. > > Evan > > ----- Original Message ----- From: <james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 9:46 AM > Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Nero Wolf Was found 8 new Agatha Christie > books! > > >> Hi, >> I know we frown on duplicate books and that NLS has a good deal of Nero >> Wolf audio books, but I know of hardly any braille ones, which makes me >> wonder how extensive our collection of Nero Wolf books is? That said, if >> anyone ever wants to scan them let me know and I'll validate. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Jim >> >> James D Homme, >> Usability Engineering >> Highmark Inc. >> james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx >> 412-544-1810 >> >> "It's more important for me to start to do the right thing than it is to >> wait until I think I >> can do it just right." >> >> To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to >> bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a >> list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the >> subject line. >> >> >> > > To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to > bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a > list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the > subject line. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. 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