Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled

StudioTalk is a listserv on the topic of recording talking books, including such things as software, sound equipment, narration, post-production, NLS recording standards, practices and procedures etc. Sign Up Here

• Local Recording Studio Collection Development Policies (MI1A)

• Volunteer Application Form (CO1A)
• Volunteer Standard Interview Questions (CO1A)
• Volunteer Application (IA1A)
• Dear Volunteer (IA1A)
• Volunteer Interest (IA1A)
• Volunteer Application (OK1A)
• Volunteer Narrator Documents (NE1A)

• Studio Roles Overview (IA1A)
• Is Narrating For You? (IA1A)
• Volunteer Opportunities (IA1A)
• NLS Narration (MA1A)
• Monitoring (MA1A)
• Narration (MA1A)
• Narrator/Monitor Check List (MA1A)
• Recording Program Team Member (MA1A)
• Recruiting Message for Audio Book Studio (NY1A)
• Studio Volunteer Opportunities (OK1A)

• Audio Production Team Brochure (CO1A)
• Volunteer Recording Studio Brochure (CO1A)
• Volunteer Brochure (CO1A)

• Audition Evaluation (CO1A)
• Audition Materials (FL1A)
• Narrator Audition Explained (IA1A)
• Narrator Audition Instructions (IA1A)
• Audition Selections (IA1A)
• Audition Cover Letter (MA1A)
• Audition Evaluation Compilation Form (MA1A)
• Letter to Prospective Auditionees (MA1A)
• Preparation for Audition (MA1A)
• Refusal Letter (NY1A)

• Network-Produced Materials: Requirements and Guidelines Basic NLS Specifications
• Contractor Specifications, Documents and Drawings Advanced NLS specifications
• Creating an Annotation
• Sample Opening and Closing Announcements Template (CA1A)
• Article: Narrator January LaVoy shares her thoughts on the art of audiobook narration
• The Art of Audiobook Narration - presentation by Celeste Lawson, manager of NLS Studio

• The ABC Book, A Pronunciation Guide
• C'est What? An Introduction to Say How?
• Say How?
• Forvo
• How J Say

• Video: How to Make a Digital Talking Book
• Creating a DTB using HABC
• Creating a DTB using Book Wizard Producer
• Creating a DTB from Wave Audio Files Using Book Wizard Producer (IA1A)
• Creating a DTB using LCM
• Digital Markup Using LCM
• Audacity - Information about using Audacity, open source audio editing software

• Installation Instructions and User Guide

• Zipping Audiobook Files Instructions

• DTBC Installation and Information
• DTBC Write-Protect Software
• DTBC Write Protection Use with Peach Instructions
• DTBC Write Protection Use with Green Instructions
• DTBC Write Protection Use with Green and Peach Instructions

• Information about the Pilot
• Evaluation Checklist
• Phase 1: Evaluation Instructions
• Phase 2: Upload Instructions
• Phase 3: Verify Instructions

• In-Process Form
• Book Completion Form
• Cassette to Digital Conversion Form
• BARD conversion form

• Audio Analyze Instructions - Audio Analyze is a command line program that examines digital audio files and reports the location and duration of periods of silence (which may indicate the end or beginning of a section heading) and that of 50Hz index tones.
• Network Documents - located on PICS

• Recording Studios by State
• DTBHelp@loc.gov Questions about DTB production
• BCS@loc.gov Questions about NLS Union/Voyager Catalog
• msce1@iac.net Quality Assurance and ongoing resource for your recording program