August 2000

Descriptive video recordings (DVSs), large type books, and books on tape are available from the Library. Each of these is described below, followed by the approximate number available, the way to search for them in the Library's online catalog, and a link to the online catalog. At the end, information is provided on items from the State Library. If you need assistance, please ask at the Library Staff, or call (831) 420-5730.

Descriptive video recordings (DVS)

In DVS videos the action is described verbally inbetween the dialog. Nearly 200 DVS videos are available, including almost 30 videos for children.

To see a list in the Library's Catalog:

• First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 1 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Author, Title, Subject Search. Then:
• For videos for adults, type s=dvs video recordings
• For videos for children, type s=dvs video recordings -- juvenile films

Go to the Library's online catalog.

Large type books

Print in these book is enlarged to make reading easier for persons with some vision. More than 4,900 large type books are available, including more than 150 books for children.

To see a list in the Library's Catalog:

First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 1 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Author, Title, Subject Search. Then

• For books for adults, type s=large type books
• For books for children, type s=large type books -- juvenile

To limit your search to large type books by a certain author, title, or subject:

First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 2 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Keyword Search. Then:

• For large print books by a specific author:
  • type fi large print and au=name (instead of "name", type the last name of the author)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all
• To check if a specific title is available in large print:
  • type fi large print and ti=title (instead of "title", type a few words of the tile)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all
• For large print books, on a specific subject:
  • type fi large print and su=subject (instead of "subject", type the subject that you are looking for)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all

Go to the Library's online catalog.

Books on tape

Books on tape are books read aloud on cassette tape. More than 4,500 books on tape are available, including more than 1,400 unabridged tapes, and more than 500 tapes for children.

To see a list in the Library's Catalog:

First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 1 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Author, Title, Subject Search. Then

• For books on tape for adults, search for s=audiobooks
• For unabridged books on tape, search for s=audiobooks, unabridged
• For books on tape for children, search for s=children's audiobooks

To see a list of only fiction or only mysteries:

First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 1 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Author, Title, Subject Search. Then:

• For a list of fiction, type c=listlib fiction
• For a list of mysteries, type c=listlib mystery

To search for books on tape by a specific author, title, or subject:

First, connect to the online catalog. Select option number 2 from the main menu, which says: Santa Cruz Libraries' Holdings--Keyword Search. Then:

• For books on tape by a specific author:
  • type fi audiobooks and au=name (instead of "name", type the last name of the author)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all
• To check if a specific title is available:
  • type fi audiobooks and ti=title (instead of "title", type a few words of the tile)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all
• For books on tape, on a specific subject:
  • type fi audiobooks and su=subject (instead of "subject", type the subject that you are looking for)
  • to display the results of the search, type di all

Go to the Library's online catalog.

Additional Materials from the State Library

The California State Library loans braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment to northern Californians unable to read conventional print. Application forms for this service are available at any branch, or through Senior Outreach at (831) 420-5653. California State Library's Braille and Talking Book Library.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries' Home Page

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