FORMATS AVAILABLE?
Special Services offers collection materials in the following formats:
Large Print Books: Available to all library users,
large print books are complete, unabridged texts with clear type in at least 13-point
font. Large print books can be found at all library branches and continuing care
centres and lodges served by Calgary Public Library. Our collections include a choice
of over 29,000 titles including best-sellers, mysteries and non-fiction. Some titles
are available in other languages.
Talking Books: Talking books feature the entire
book on cassette tape (2-track). The selection of over 14,000 titles includes fiction,
history and biographies. Some titles are available in other languages. A talking
book catalogue, in large print format, is available for loan.
Digital Audiobook (DAISY): The DAISY Standard
is an audiobook on a CD and allows for full flexibility regarding the mix of text
and audio ranging from audio-only, to full text and audio, to text-only. It
cannot be played on regular CD players. For more information visit
http://www.daisy.org
NEW! The CNIB Library for the Blind, with funding from the Office of Learning Technologies
(OLT) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) developed the OLT
project to explore user preferences and needs regarding the formatting of DAISY
documents. Calgary Public Library was very pleased to be a participating partner
in this project. The project findings will "allow the CNIB Library to determine
what classes of digital talking books are more useful and suitable for different
groups of end users, depending on their individual learning needs, technological
skills sets, and the nature of their disabilities". For more information, visit
CNIB Library's OLT Project page at
http://www.cnib.ca/library/daisy_info/olt.htm
Digital Readers: VICTOR players: For the first
time persons with visual disabilities can move easily through a book. Digital formats
allow the listener to jump from page to page, bookmark specific pages as well as
going directly to a specific page number. One CD can contain up to 30 hours of material.
All of the VICTOR players can play audio CDs as well as MP3 formats and DAISY standard
digital books.
To borrow or use a VICTOR player from Calgary Public Library contact 260-2702. A
Special Services Card is required to borrow both the players and the DAISY digital
books.
Visuaide has developed and produced the VICTOR series of players. For more information
visit http://visuaide.com/products.html
Descriptive Videos: Over 100 videos which have
been adapted for the enjoyment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Descriptive videos are available at the Central Library (5th floor).
Partnership with CNIB Library: Through the VISUNET
CANADA partners program, Calgary Public Library is able to borrow any item from
the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library collection at no cost.
This includes Braille, electronic text, talking books (4-track) and descriptive
videos.
For an audio introductin to CNIB Library Service, please click
here (please note: the file may take some time to load)
