DTB Download from NLS

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DTB Download from NLS

• Neil Bernstein
• Research Development Officer
• nber_at_loc.gov 202-707-9319

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History Pre-2006

• Web Braille
• 9300 books
• 5600 users
• Web Magazines
• Two and a quarter magazines
• Victor Reader Soft
• Old codec, old protection, little feedback
• 2003 - 2006

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DTB Download Three phases

• First phase Closed pilot
• 100 hand-picked testers
• Second phase Expanded pilot
• Open to all eligible patronswho can buy players
• Third phase Open system
• Open to all eligible patrons (NLS player)

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First phase Closed pilot

• Why?
• No real patron testing of DTBs
• Because we could!
• DRM became available
• AMR-WB chosen and available
• Flash-based player available

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First phase Closed pilot

• Goals
• Primary goal Are we making DTBs correctly?
• Secondary goals
• Will our DRM system get in the way?
• How do people use a download service?

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First phase Closed pilot

• Closed pilot test
• 100 hand-picked testers loaned modified Victor
  Reader Classic
• Launched Friday, October 13, 2006
• Ended August 30, 2007
• Required a survey for each item
• At first limited books
• Then, everything!
• Support provided byme
• DTB-Test

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First phase results

• Over 5000 downloads in 45 weeks.
• 92 I could navigate everywhere I wished with
  ease (of those rating navigation)
• 94 I had no problems downloading this book or
  transferring it to my player

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Second phase Expanded pilot

• Goals
• How to offer a download service
• System capacity
• People
• Computers
• Support
• What works?
• How much?
• Other issues

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Second phase Expanded pilot

• Open to all eligible NLS patrons
• Need to buy or borrow a player
• HumanWare Victor Reader Stream
• LevelStar Icon
• APH Braille Plus Mobile Manager
• 30 items in 30 days (no more surveys)
• Administration and support from Washington
• and now California
• Account and statistical feedback to libraries

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Second phase Current statistics

• As of April 30, 2008
• 10,272 books
• 433 issues of 22 magazines
• Seven more magazines by June
• 69,453 downloads since October 1
• Almost a quarter of those just in April!
• 2,266 user accounts, 55 libraries
• April busiest month yet for requests

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Second phase Useful information

• Main site address www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb
• Support NLSDownload_at_loc.gov
• For librarians and patrons
• Requirements
• Patron in good standing
• A compatible DTB player
• A computer with high-speed internet service
• An active e-mail address
• Basic internet abilities

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Second phase Common problems

• E-mail and spam filters
• Patron status / CMLS record
• Participation requirements
• 30 item limit
• Library loaner

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Third phase Open

• New features for patrons
• Better search
• Higher limits
• Branding Its your site
• Application
• Site / help
• Administration and support Its your site
• But well back you up

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Third phase Open

• Standardized statistics
• For circulation systems
• Ready December 2008
• Training
• Launch after the NLS player rollout begins