Simple operation. Superior reliability. Great sound quality. What’s not to like about the digital talking book system developed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)?

Christian Record Services for the Blind has now converted a significant portion of its lending library to digital talking books integrated with the NLS system. No more shuffling of multiple cassettes into a balky tape player. No more hoping the tape doesn’t get eaten by the machinery. The digital talking book cartridge—just a bit larger than a credit card—holds an entire book, no matter how large the book is.

At press time for this article, cartridges for 534 digital talking books were flowing out to readers off the Christian Record library shelves. Of these, a hundred are new books not previously available from the Christian Record library. By the time you read these words, those numbers will already be out of date.

Do you already have a digital player from the National Library Service? To begin receiving digital talking books from Christian Record, all it will take is a phone call—speak to Linda at 402-488-0981, ext. 227—or send an email message to services@christianrecord.org.

If you are legally blind and a U.S. resident, but do not yet have an NLS digital player, you can receive a player as a free-permanent loan from your regional or state library for the blind. To find the one nearest to you, go online to www.loc.gov/nls/signup.html, or you can call the NLS at 1-888-NLS-READ (1-888-657-7323).

Christian Record is still sending out audio library books on audiocassette tapes each week, but the numbers are dwindling and the days of “books on tape” are numbered. Before long—we don’t yet know how long—it will be all digital all the time. So, if you don’t yet have your new digital player from your state library, it’s time to get it ordered. To browse the CRSB library catalog or to downoad digital talking, visit http://services.christianrecord.org/library/lookup.php. (Under “Media,” select the NLS cartridge option, then click the “Filter” button. )