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Centre for Equitable Library Access
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  2. Services for Public Libraries

Envoy Connect Service for Libraries

About the Envoy Connect player

The Envoy Connect is an easy to use, portable, and affordable option for reading accessible audiobooks. The device is the size of a deck of cards and has an intuitive interface with six navigation buttons and an integrated speaker.  Patrons can mail their personal device to CELA to be reloaded with new titles, or it can be reloaded by downloading books or magazines directly from their CELA Direct to Player bookshelf with our new computer software, CELA Connect.

At this time, the Envoy Connect is available for purchase from CNIB Smartlife for approximately $100 CDN.

Learn more about the Envoy Connect Service:

  • Envoy Connect and CELA Connect Guides
  • FAQ for libraries about Envoy Connect and CELA Connect
  • Envoy Connect webinar for libraries
Hand holding a Envoy Connect device

How it works 

CELA books and magazines are added onto an Envoy Connect player through a computer loaded with our free software called CELA Connect.  The software downloads items from the  library’s or patron’s CELA Direct to Player bookshelf and adds them onto the player. The same process works for removing books. The player conveniently remembers the last reading position. It can be charged by plugging it in, or by solar charge located on the back.

Using Envoy Connect players at your library

Here you will find all the details you'll need to offer Envoy Connect players to your patrons:

  • Setting up Envoy Connect players for loan
  • Loan library-owned players loaded with books from your library’s CELA account
  • Loan library-owned players only (without preloaded books)
  • Support for patrons with their own player

Setup and prepare Envoy Connect players for loan

Libraries may wish to assemble Envoy Connect kits to offer patrons all the items they’ll need to use the device at home. An Envoy Connect can hold at least 12 CELA titles and more can be loaded onto a micro SD card. Please note that CELA books on the devices you loan may only be read by patrons with print disabilities.

Create your own Envoy Connect kit:

  • Envoy Connect player: comes with a micro USB cable, headphones and a lanyard
  • Storage case
  • Additional micro-USB cords 
  • Additional wall charging plugs

Before you loan the players:

  1. Charge and test each player. You may need to remove books from the last time it went out.
  2. Listen to the Envoy Connect Quick Start Guide which is included as one of the books on the player.
  3. Install the free CELA Connect Software on computers you will use for loading Envoy Connect devices.
  4. Identify the player belongs to your library by sticking labels with your library’s name to the back of the player. Avery 5167 labels work well.
  5. Know your CELA six-digit account number and username. Can’t find it? Contact Member Services at members@celalibrary.ca or call 1-855-655-2273 ext. 2.

Loaning Envoy Connect players pre-loaded with books

Before loading your players, you will need to choose books and/or magazines to add to your Direct to Player bookshelf. Select the format: DAISY audio (Direct to Player). Wait a few minutes and go to "My account" and open your Direct to Player bookshelf to check that they have been added.

Using the CELA Connect software

  1. Connect the Envoy Connect player using a micro-USB cable to the library computer which has the CELA Connect software already installed.
  2. Open the CELA Connect software.
  3. Remove and download titles from your Direct to Player bookshelf.
  4. Disconnect your player from the computer.
Loading Envoy Connect steps

CELA Connect Software

Libraries may pick which books to remove and add to their players.  Connect one of your players to your computer and open the CELA Connect software. Select which books to remove or add by selecting the checkboxes beside each title. Repeat this process for each player you are loaning to patrons.

CELA Connect software showing books to add to Envoy Connect player.

Loaning Envoy Connect players (not preloaded with books)

Please mention these points to patrons who are borrowing Envoy Connect players:

  • Patrons will need to log into CELA's site with their own username and password to choose their books. You can register them or they can self-register if they have a library card number.
  • Patrons will need to download the CELA Connect software and access their personal CELA account to add and remove books.
  • Remind patrons to return the player to the library and not send it to back to CELA to reload more books.
  • Ask patrons to delete all the books off of the player before they return it to the library.

Support for patrons with their own Envoy Connect player

Libraries may choose to support Envoy Connect users by helping them reload their devices with new CELA books.

Reloading players using the patron’s CELA account:

  1. Patrons must provide the library with permission to access that account.
  2. Patrons must have books already previously added to their CELA Direct to Player bookshelf. We recommend they add these books at least 24 hours in advance of when they want to load their player, to ensure books are ready prior to visiting the library.
  3. If the serial number of the patron’s player has already been added to their CELA account, all you need to do is plug the player into a computer and open the CELA Connect software. If the serial number is not loaded, you will need the patron’s CELA username and password to log into the CELA Connect software.

Reloading a patron’s player using the library’s CELA account:

  1. The library must have books previously loaded on to their CELA Direct to Player bookshelf. You can load the same book onto more than one patron’s account since the book will remain on your bookshelf until you delete it.
  2. Plug the player into a computer and open the CELA Connect software. Add or remove books onto or from the player.

FAQ

Which devices can I use to read books and magazines from CELA?

Answer: CELA books and magazines work with many popular accessible reading devices and apps. Find out more on ourCompatible devices and formats page.

Go to Frequently Asked Questions page

About us

The Centre for Equitable Library Access, CELA, is an accessible library service, providing books and other materials to Canadians with print disabilities.

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CELA welcomes all feedback and suggestions:

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Contact Us

Email us at help@celalibrary.ca or call us at 1-855-655-2273 for support.

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