by Kay Kirscht
Quick Summary
Interview with Catherine Durivage, Supervisor of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library. MBTBL is about to re-launch of the library’s volunteer recording program; creating new, locally-produced, digital audio recordings of books.
Etta Thornburg, Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library’s new Audio Visual Education Specialist will spearhead the re-launch of the library’s volunteer recording program creating new, locally produced, digital audio recordings of books.
“Our volunteer recording program is still a work in progress,” says Catherine Durivage, Supervisor of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL). “The digital world, and the analog world we were working in are not the same - we’ve been getting all the pieces in place for the transition, from new recording equipment to software (and learning how to run it all). So many changes also necessitated writing new descriptions for project volunteer positions, as well as developing fresh material for auditions.”
Volunteer readers for the re-booted, digital recording program must first pass a rigorous audition. Catherine explains why: “We are recording for a special audience. We are also recording for posterity; the reading must be accurate.” MBTBL aims to make definitive recordings. “We hope our material is accepted into the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s (NLS) Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service, where Minnesota patrons can access audio recordings. Many locally recorded books, broadcast for State Services for the Blind’s Radio Talking Books Network, are already available on BARD. We want our recordings to be available on BARD, so they can be accessed by eligible, print-impaired individuals all over the United States.”
“We aim to record one book between now and the end of the year and that selection will probably be a children's book.” Books for children take fewer resources, less time commitment and editing.
Catherine (in her 17th year with MBTBL) muses on the move toward online and digital availability, and what it means for their patrons: “There will still be patrons who want books by mail, or may not have access to a computer or smart device, but the downloads of books really opened up the door for patrons, and provides them with an opportunity to get materials quicker. Patrons can now download a mobile app to their smartphone or tablet, and have 24/7 access to our materials.”
“Our library services are coordinated with the State Services for the Blind, the machine-lending agency for Minnesota, so patrons are able to receive what each agency provides. We make it as seamless as possible. There will still be a need to mail materials to patrons,” Catherine says, “but soon we’ll be able to put multiple audio books on a single cartridge or flash drive - or deliver an entire series of books to a patron.”
MBTBL has had an easier time navigating copyright restrictions of late.
“What MBTBL - and other like agencies provide - are alternative, but unabridged, versions; an edition produced for a specific audience. We are an organization that falls under the Chafee Amendment,” Catherine explains. “The Chafee Amendment (Sec. 121 of the Copyright Act, adopted in 1996) allows production of materials in an alternate form, exempt of copyright.” The Fair Use material (distinguished alternative format) is not meant for distribution to the general public. This allows for translation of published books into braille and audio editions, produced in a format requiring something other than a conventional device (or software) for playback. “Before Chaffee, we had to ask (and wait) for permission to produce material falling outside of public domain. Since 1996, Chafee has allowed us to produce materials far more quickly, enabling us to provide audio editions of materials not available elsewhere to our patrons.”
About MBTBL
Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL), is funded through Minnesota State General Funds, the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), and grant money from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and is located near the Cannon River in Faribault, on the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) campus. MBTBL presently provides free, USPS-delivered library media to over 10,000 Minnesotans with visual, physical, and reading disabilities. Last year, they mailed almost 300,000 audio, braille and large-print materials - as well as descriptive videos - to patrons ranging in age from pre-school to senior.
For more information, contact Catherine Durivage (1-800-722-0550).
Organizations mentioned in this article:
Minnesota Braille and Audio Reading Download (MN BARD) is maintained by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), allowing individuals and institutions with internet access to download books and magazines directly from NLS.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by USPS delivery. The online component of NLS (BARD) is an alternative point of access, much like Overdrive; registered patrons download audio or braille book files through a special mobile app, or to NLS-authorized devices, via cartridge or flash drive.
State Services for the Blind’s (SSB) Radio Talking Book Network, is a free, closed-circuit news and information service broadcasting 24/7 to Minnesota and national subscribers. They also provide the specialized receivers required to hear RTB broadcasts.
