Network Bulletin No. 02-08


Date: March 1, 2002


Subject: Certification and eligibility

Index term: NFB-NEWLINE as a service option through network
libraries


The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS) has reached an agreement with the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB) to enable eligible individuals
to sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE through their regional or
subregional libraries.  Beginning March 1, 2002, NFB-
NEWSLINE will be available nationwide, providing
unprecedented access to newspapers and other timely
information to those eligible to receive services from NLS.

NFB-NEWSLINE is a service that provides audio versions of
daily newspapers to eligible blind and disabled readers.
The NFB created this unique service to allow those who
cannot read conventional print to have access to newspapers
and other time-sensitive information at the same time as
their sighted colleagues, friends, and family members.  NFB
has invented a centralized system that rapidly distributes
newspapers and other information in a format usable by blind
individuals through modern telecommunications technology,
high-speed computers, and synthetic speech.

To provide eligible individuals an easy way to apply for
NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS has developed an addendum sheet for the
NFB-NEWSLINE service (FR 100), soon to be available from the
multistate centers, to be distributed with the NLS
application.  Libraries should order equal quantities of
both when more NLS applications are needed.  Network
libraries that have produced their own applications may use
the addendum sheet with a local application and, when
reprinting, may include NFB-NEWSLINE as a service option on
the revised local application.  Enclosed is a camera-ready
copy of the addendum sheet.  Until the copies of FR 100
arrive at the MSCs, please photocopy the attached sample.

When a network library receives an application with an
addendum sheet requesting NFB-NEWSLINE, it need only enter
the CMLS code NWL8 along with the other new patron
information into its circulation system.  This information
will be extracted periodically to be sent to CMLS.  As CMLS
conducts a batch update each week, patron names and
addresses with the NWL8 CMLS code will be provided to NFB,
which will promptly assign an identification number and
security code to the individual.  NFB will send these codes
electronically to the agency that sponsors NFB-NEWSLINE in
the state.  In some states this agency may be a network
library. In any case, the sponsor will provide the access
codes to readers.  The codes are needed to restrict use of
the service to persons who are eligible for library services
for the blind and physically handicapped.

NFB-NEWSLINE is available twenty-four hours a day, seven
days a week, and is free to anyone who is eligible to
receive services from NLS.  Blind and visually impaired
individuals can register for NFB-NEWSLINE by completing the
addendum sheet to the NLS application.  Current patrons
should notify their service library that they would like to
have access to NFB-NEWSLINE.

Daily papers provided on NFB-NEWSLINE include USA Today, the
Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Washington Post,
the Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal.  Readers
will be able to access these papers and dozens more.   NFB-
NEWSLINE has a goal of providing at least two papers from
each state.  Also, NFB-NEWSLINE will offer menu selections
for other information such as agency announcements and the
library newsletters.

NFB-NEWSLINE is versatile and user-friendly.  Once
registered, the reader can call 1-888-882-1629 to access the
service.  This is a toll-free call from anywhere in the
United States and Puerto Rico.  After a brief opening
announcement, the system will ask for the pre-assigned
identification number and security code, which are entered
on the touch-tone keypad.  Once admitted, the reader can
then access the newspaper menu or select other information.

If the newspaper option is selected, the reader will have
access to any paper available.  This includes the current
day's edition, the previous day's edition, or the most
recent Sunday edition.

Once in the menu of a particular paper, the reader can
choose any section.  The reader can switch from article to
article, section to section, or paper to paper at any time
and without delay.  When reading a particular section,
pressing a single key on the telephone keypad will quickly
move the reader from one article to the next, skip ahead in
the article, return to a previous article, change the
speaking speed, change the reading voice, or spell out or
search for words.  The keystrokes are few and easy to
remember.  NFB-NEWSLINE provides frequent reminders to check
the help page to learn more about the service and any
changes.

For more information about NFB-NEWSLINE, visit the NFB web
site at <www.nfb.org> or call (410) 659-9314.

Attachment


For further information contact:

Stephen Prine
Head, Network Services Section
[log in to unmask]

____________________________________________________________


What Is NFB-NEWSLINE ?

NFB-NEWSLINE  provides audio versions of daily newspapers
using speech created by computers.  Newspapers from
throughout the United States cooperate with this service and
send electronic text to the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) for processing and distribution.  Access to this
service is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week, to anyone who is eligible to receive library services
from the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress and
cooperating network libraries.  Access to NFB-NEWSLINE  is
free, just like other library services.  The only
requirement is registration.  You can do this by indicating
your interest on the other side of this page and submitting
the page along with your application for service or, if
already a talking-book or braille reader, by notifying your
service library that you would like to sign up for NFB-
NEWSLINE .

How to Use NFB-NEWSLINE

All NFB-NEWSLINE  readers need an identification number and
security code, which are assigned upon registration.  Using
the system requires a touch-tone telephone.  A phone with a
speaker is convenient but not required.
Anyone who is registered can call NFB-NEWSLINE  at the
number provided.  After a brief opening announcement, the
system will ask for your preassigned identification number
and security code, which you enter on the touch-tone keypad.
Once admitted, you can then access the newspaper menu or
select other information.  When choosing the newspaper
option, you can read papers in your state or nearby area, or
you can read other papers from across the country.  After
you have chosen a paper, you can listen to today's edition,
yesterday's edition, or the Sunday paper, which remains on
NFB-NEWSLINE  for an entire week.  Once in the menu of a
particular paper, you can choose any section presented on
the menu as soon as you hear the one you want.  You can
switch from article to article, section to section, or paper
to paper at any time and without delay; it is fast and easy.
Also, when reading a particular section, pressing a single
key on the telephone keypad will quickly move you from one
article to the next, skip ahead in the article, return to a
previous article, change the speaking speed, change the
reading voice, or spell out or search for words.  The
keystrokes are few and easy to remember.  NFB-NEWSLINE reminds
you to check the help page to learn more about the
service and any changes each time you call.

NFB-NEWSLINE  Service Now Available

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS) and its network of cooperating libraries
are working with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
to make new NLS patrons and other eligible individuals aware
of NFB-NEWSLINE , a free dial-in service that provides more
than fifty newspapers, updated daily, over the telephone.
The user can easily select a newspaper, a section, or an
article of interest.  The immediacy of NFB-NEWSLINE  is made
possible by use of synthetic speech, which is nonhuman
computerized speech.

For more information about NFB-NEWSLINE , turn this page
over.

To sign up for NFB-NEWSLINE , complete the form below and
return it with the application for braille or talking-book
library service.  Once the application is processed, you
will receive information about how to access NFB-NEWSLINE ,
including an identification number and a security code
assigned by NFB.


_______ Yes, I would like to have access to NFB-NEWSLINE .


___________________________________________________
Name








FR-100 (2-02)