NLS Digital
Cartridge System – Courage Center Handiham System
How to get started in digital audio using the Library of
Congress player
Before you do anything else, you need the player itself.
You must be eligible for National Library services, though. You can find
the requirements here:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/eligible.html
The signup page is here:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/signup.html
For our members who do not have computers, there is a
phone number: toll-free 1-800-424-8567.
If you wish to receive a packet of information by mail
yourself or to order the packet for a friend, please visit the NLS form page:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/infoapp.html
Once you are signed up for NLS and have received your
player, it is time to start enjoying Handiham audio digests and audio courses in
Technician, General, and Extra, plus Operating Skills lectures from time to
time. To get started, please contact our main office to let us know what you
want, and then send us a blank NLS cartridge and mailer, both marked with your
name or callsign (or both) so that we know who sent it. The cartridge will
be filled with your order and returned to you in the reusable mailer.
There is no charge for this, as it is a service to Handiham members. Cartridges
or mailers marked as property of the U.S. Government or other organizations may
not be used for this Handiham service. You must purchase your own blank
cartridge and mailer.
Where to purchase cartridges and mailers:
Your local State Services for the Blind may either offer
extra cartridges and mailers for sale or be able to refer you to a local source.
There are also places that serve the entire country. Be sure to contact
your own State Services for the Blind first so that you know what is available
in your area. There may be other specialized players available through
them at low cost. The standard NLS Digital Player will be provided free to
qualified persons.
Where to buy blank cartridges
Here are two national sources for products of interest.
Notice that only APH carries the mailers. NFB does carry the cartridges,
but not the mailers.
APH: American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
http://www.aph.org/
- Digital
Talking Book Cartridge Catalog Number: 1-02610-00, Price: $12.00
- Digital
Talking Book Cartridge: Mailer Catalog Number: 1-02611-00, Price: $2.50
- Order
Toll-Free: (800) 223-1839
NFB Store Independence Market:
http://nfb.org/independence-market
- Digital
Talking Book Cartridge code number AIA32N: Price $10.00
- USB
extension cable for NLS cartridge code number AIA33C: Price $3.00
- Call
us at 410-659-9314, ext. 2216 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, fax us at
410-685-2340, or e-mail
us at
IndependenceMarket@nfb.org.
Please send your blank cartridge and mailer, marked with your name or
callsign, to:
Courage Center Handiham System
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Your cartridge can be filled with our monthly digests and
other Handiham special format audio, such as the licensing classes, and then
returned to you. There is no
additional charge for this service, which is included in your annual membership.
Cartridges may be used over and over. Just
return your cartridge to us for refilling.