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Wolfner Patron Manual

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Playback Machines and Assistive Devices

NLS talking book cassettes are not recorded the same way commercial records and cassettes are recorded.

Most of the cassette books in Wolfner Library’s collection are recorded on four tracks per cassette at 15/16 IPS. You must have a special four track cassette player to use these cassettes. The talking book machine and four track cassette player are furnished free on indefinite loan, and you can keep the equipment as long as you remain active by borrowing one book per calendar year. There is no deposit payment for this equipment.


Operating Instructions

Our players come with recorded instructions that explain how to operate the machines. If you need more assistance learning to operate your player, call Wolfner Library and ask for Machines Lending. Staff will answer any questions you have about the operation of your playback machine.


Power Sources

Our standard cassette player, called the C-1, has rechargeable batteries. To extend the life of the battery, you can charge the battery for approximately fourteen hours, and then run it off the battery for six hours. However, for your convenience you may leave the cassette player continuously connected to a wall outlet. This should offer only a small decrease in the performance of the battery. The C-1 must have a battery installed while in use. Running without a battery causes a reduction in sound quality, a slowing of fastforward/ rewind, and an increased stress on internal components.

Our easy cassette player, called the E-1, does not have a battery and must be plugged into a standard wall outlet to operate.


Playback Machine Repair and Maintenance

If your playback machine breaks, you should call Wolfner Library. Replacement or repair is at no cost. Readers are allowed only one cassette player in their possession. If your records are in order, a new machine will be mailed to you immediately. Mail the defective machine back to Wolfner Library in its original container. You will find a mailing label inside the box with the new machine. Dampen the back of the mailing label and place it over the label on the outside of the box. When you return a machine, call Wolfner Library or fill out the equipment return form enclosed, explaining why you are returning it and whether you need a replacement.

Remember: Machines can be mailed under “Free Matter” mailing privileges. Do not pay postage to return or exchange equipment.


Headphones

Cassette players are equipped with headphone jacks. Headphones are not, however, automatically furnished with the machines. If you live under circumstances where you need headphones to listen to your books, you can either buy headphones from a local retail outlet or request Wolfner Library to send you a set if you qualify. You may qualify if your hearing is impaired, you live in a group setting, you need privacy or if sound causes difficulty to others. Some reading disorders also qualify. If you buy your own, you need to select monaural headphones with a 1/4" headphone jack. Adaptors are available from electronics stores that will allow stereo headphones to be used with these players.


Pillowphones

A pillowphone, to be placed under your pillow, is for Wolfner users who are bedridden. Normally the sound can be heard only by the reader. It can be used with any NLS playback equipment.


Amplifiers

Special amplifiers are available if you have a significant hearing loss. Because the sound is boosted to a level that could cause permanent hearing loss to a person with normal hearing, a separate application requiring medical certification is necessary. The amplifier is designed for use with the standard headphones on any NLS playback equipment.


Extension Lever

Extension levers are provided for you if you have difficulty manipulating the key controls on the standard cassette machine.


Remote Control Unit

Remote control units are available if you are either bedridden or have great difficulty in mobility. A unit will operate only the “on or off “ functions of NLS playback equipment. It will not provide control of individual functions such as volume, speed, etc.


Breath Switch

Breath switches are available if you have little or no use of your arms and hands. The breath switch plugs into the remote control transmitter and uses air pressure to operate only the “on or off” functions of NLS equipment.


Solar-Panel Battery Charger

Solar-panel battery chargers are available if you do not have access to electricity, either temporarily or permanently. This charger is used to recharge batteries for the cassette machine and the overseas talking book machine Model B-79. It is a small, durable, lightweight unit packed in an 11" x 10-1/ 2" x 3-1/ 4" carton.


Common Machine Problems with Our Standard Cassette Players

Here are a few of the recurring problems that patrons experience with their standard cassette players:

  1. My cassette plays too fast.
    This is caused by a loose tape, static electricity build-up or the wrong speed. Eject the tape from the cassette player, place the tape in the palm of your hand and rap it against a flat surface three times. Re-insert the tape in the cassette player, rewind the tape for a minute, then stop. Fast forward the tape for a minute, then stop. Press the play key and it should play at the 15/16 IPS speed. If it does not, check the rocker switch to be sure it is on the 15/16 IPS setting.

  2. The sound is weak or plays two voices.
    This is caused by dirty heads. Get a cotton swab and some alcohol. Eject the tape from the cassette player, leave the door open and press the play key. Tip the machine at a 45-degree angle toward your body and look through the glass door. Submerge the swab in alcohol, remove it from the alcohol and place the swab on the heads through the open door. Move the swab from the left to the right until the heads are clean.

  3. I cannot hear the whole book.
    This is caused by the side selector switch not being in the right position. Once side one is finished playing, turn the tape over and press the play key and listen to side two. After side two is finished, change the side selector switch to side 3-4, which is pressed down to the right. Turn the tape over again to side one, but because our tapes are recorded on four tracks, you will actually be listening to side three. After side three is finished, turn the tape to side two. When you press the play button, you will then be listening to side four of the tape. Return the side selector switch to side 1-2, which is pressed down to the left, and repeat the process to listen to the next tape.

  4. The sound fades from high to low volume.
    This is caused by the battery losing its charge. Remove the power cord from the rear of the cassette player and plug it into an electrical outlet for recharging. This takes approximately fourteen hours. You should not play your cassette player during the recharging process.

  5. The machine plays and then stops.
    This is caused by a defective battery. Contact Wolfner Library and request a replacement cassette player. A replacement cassette player will be mailed out to you the same day if you call before 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.

  6. The machine does not play when unplugged.
    This is caused by a low battery. Plug the electrical cord into the wall outlet and do not play the cassette player for fourteen hours. This will recharge your nickel-cadmium battery so you can once again listen to a book up to six hours while the machine is unplugged.

  7. A commercially produced recording sounds too slow.
    This is caused by the rocker switch being in the incorrect position. Wolfner Library has supplied you with a cassette player that plays tapes at either 15/16 IPS or 1-7/ 8 IPS. Our cassettes are recorded at 15/16 IPS, so the rocker switch should be in the 15/16 position when listening to our tapes. Set the rocker switch to 1-7/ 8 IPS when you want to listen to commercial recordings such as music, radio plays, or books on tape from your public library.

  8. The keys are hard to push down.
    This is caused by faulty metal. Contact Wolfner Library and request a replacement cassette player. A replacement cassette player will be mailed out to you the same day if you call before 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.


Common Machine Problems with Our Easy Cassette Players


Here are a few of the recurring problems that patrons experience with their easy cassette machines:

  1. My easy cassette machine does not play all sides of the tape.
    This is caused by reaching into the machine and removing the tape from the platform and flipping the tape onto the opposite side. The easy cassette player has the capabilities of playing all four sides of the tape without removing the tape from the platform and flipping it over.

    NOTE: There is no need to flip the tape over, even when instructed to do so by the audiotape. The easy cassette player does not have a side selector switch to manipulate.

  2. My easy cassette machine does not play at all.
    This is caused by trying to operate the easy cassette machine without plugging the machine into the electrical wall outlet. The easy cassette machine operates on electricity only. It does not have a battery pack attachment.

  3. My easy cassette machine plays too slow.
    This is caused by playing commercially produced audiotapes instead of cassettes produced by the National Library Service. The easy cassette machine is designed to play Wolfner Library cassette tapes and other tapes recorded at 15/16 IPS only. This is a slower speed than commercially produced tapes.

  4. My easy cassette machine is hot.
    This is caused by the machine constantly being plugged into the electrical wall outlet. When your easy cassette machine is not in use, please remove the power cord from the electrical wall outlet.

  5. My easy cassette machine is not starting at the beginning of the book.
    This is caused by not operating the easy cassette player properly. The easy cassette machine has an instruction tape inserted inside the machine and printed instructions are available at Wolfner Library.

    Here are a few quick things to check:

    • Be sure the easy cassette machine is on a flat surface.
    • Be sure the power cord is properly plugged into the electrical wall outlet.
    • Be sure the electrical wall outlet is working.

    To begin listening to the tape, move the slide control to the right all the way to the middle of the easy machine and wait until you hear the beginning of the tape. If your machine is still not operating properly, contact the Machines Department for assistance as your machine may be in need of replacement.

  6. I want to listen to a part in the middle of the book.
    The easy cassette machine has a review key to listen to parts of the tape that you would like to have repeated. The review key is located on the front of the easy cassette machine, to the right of the slide control which turns the easy machine on and adjusts the volume. Just press down the review key and hold it until you get to the part of the book you want to hear again. The tape will begin to play as soon as you release the review key.

  7. I want to skip to side two instead of listening to all of side one.
    Remove the panel on the right rear of the machine, press the raised “S” button, hold until you hear two beeps, release and side two will began to play. Once side two begins, place the panel back over the opening on the right rear and when aligned correctly, it will lock in place.

    NOTE: If you want to skip to side three, hold the “S” button down until you hear three beeps. To start on side four, hold the “S” button down until you hear four beeps. Be sure to replace the panel when you are finished.

  8. My easy cassette player beeps and does not play the tape.
    This is caused by the audiotape being twisted or an easy machine malfunction. Press down in the middle of the cassette tape until the tape and platform rises to the top. Slide the slide control all the way to the left. Press down in the middle of the cassette tape until the platform locks in place. Slide the slide control to the middle of the panel and wait for the beginning of the tape. If the tape still does not play properly, contact the Machines Department for assistance as your machine may be in need of replacement.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please call the Wolfner Library’s Machines Department at 1-800-392-2614 for assistance.

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