FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the talking books program?
1. Established in 1992, the talking book library was started to cater to general reading needs and
educational needs of visually impaired students in schools and colleges.
2. The library converts print books into Audio CD’s.
3. Here, audio CDs are recorded with the help of volunteers in Hindi, English, Kannada and other
Indian languages.
4. There are two categories of books that are recorded:
i. Educational (standard one to post graduation textbooks) and
ii. General (fiction and non-fiction)
5. Membership at the library is for a minimal fee for the visually impaired and members can borrow
books on copies made at the library.
6. Presently we have 1300 members in the library and 37 institutional members.
7. The library’s catalogue is available online on our website www.mitrajyothi.org
What are the steps in producing the Audio CD’s?
CD’s are prepared in DAISY Format (Digital Accessible Information System). This is a Japanese technology,
which has many benefits. In this, the information is accessible easily and quickly for anyone with reading
difficulties. Here, they will have equal access to information and knowledge.
The different steps of producing a DAISY book are:Step 1: Recording is done by volunteers using software called Sigtuna. There are two recording studios at
Mitrajyothi which are fully equipped for recording in DAISY format.
Step 2: Editing is done by editors/volunteers and involves removing any unwanted sounds, gaps and
mistakes during recording.
Step 3: Proof-reading and Finalizing is generally done by the admin and can be seen as the second level
of QC.
Step 4: Entry into the catalogue of the organization as completed book with appropriate accession
number etc. and also delivery of the book to the person who requested the production.
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What are the areas where I can help with the program?
1. At the Talking Book Library, you can use your voice to record Books in Hindi, English,
Kannada or any other language.
2. You may also give your time to edit books which have been recorded.
3. You may help us with dubbing cassettes and other activities of the Talking Book Library.
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What are the prerequisites for a volunteer who wishes to help with the program?
a) Basic knowledge of computers is required.
b) A voice test will be conducted for the volunteers to check the voice modulations.
c) If you choose to help us in recording, then we require your commitment to record a minimum of one
book. One voice for one book is our motto in order to maintain quality standards for the books being
produced.
d) In case you wish to volunteer on a short term basis (4 or 5 hours), then you may assist us in any
area other than recording (such as editing or dubbing).
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What is the Voice Test?
When you come to us for recording for the first time, we will conduct a small voice test which takes
about 5 to 10 minutes. The reader will read a paragraph from a book and the recorded voice is checked
for voice clarity, pronunciation and modulations. Only after clearing the voice test, the actual recording
starts.
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How much time does the recording and editing take?
Recording: On an average, a 100 page book will require about 8 to 10 hours of recording time.
Editing: On an average, a 100 page book will require about 16 to 20 hours of editing time.
As you gain experience, you will require lesser time to record and edit.
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Are there any specific languages that a volunteer should know?
You can help us with recording books in languages such as English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, etc.
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Will we receive any training program before the recording?
Yes. Before you start recording, you will be trained on how to use the Sigtuna Software which is used for
recording in DAISY format. It is a short training which is completed within an hour or two. If you wish to
help us with the editing of the book you recorded, we will provide you with additional training which is
required for editing.
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How many chapters of a book will I have to record?
We require your commitment to record a minimum of one whole book. One voice for one book is our
motto in order to maintain quality standards for the books being produced.
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What are the days that we can record on?
After the voice test, training and selection of the book to be recorded, we will provide time slots for you
when you can come for recording according to availability of the recording studios.
Each time slot is of 2 hours.
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What is the location of work?
Recording and/or Editing: Recording Studios in Mitra Jyothi in HSR Layout, Bangalore.
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What if I make a mistake while recording?
This will be covered during the training session for recording.
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Is it compulsory to keep my phone switched off while recording?
It is mandatory to keep mobile phones completely switched off at the time of recording. Under no
circumstance should the phone be kept on, as it interferes with the recording.
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What are the working hours at Mitra Jyothi?
Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
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What are the days that we can come for editing?
Monday to Saturday – 10:00 am to 4:30pm.
Due to infrastructural limitations, we would prefer to have 2-3 people for editing at a time,
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Can we come in groups?
We can accommodate maximum 2 people for recording and 2 people for editing at a time.
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Do I need to also edit the book I record?
It is not compulsory to edit the book you record, unless it is in a language other than English, Hindi and
Kannada.