FAQs for Libraries (Envoy Connect and CELA Connect)
FAQs for Libraries (Envoy Connect and CELA Connect)
General Questions
Why are you introducing the Envoy Connect?
CELA is committed to offering our users a broad range of choices, both in what and how they read. Envoy Connect is a new, easy-to-use, convenient, and affordable option for reading accessible audiobooks. As technology evolves, we want to ensure options for our users adapt to changing needs and preferences.
Can libraries purchase Envoy Connect devices for patrons with print disabilities?
Yes, these devices can be purchased for patron use. Because the Envoy Connect device is portable, easy-to-use and has 8 GB of book storage, they could be a welcomed addition to your accessible services.
Libraries should contact Smartlife for more information.
Please note that CELA content loaded on this device can only be used by people with print disabilities.
Are CELA books the only books that will work on the Envoy Connect player?
The Envoy Connect player plays DRM-free audio files in the following formats: wav, mp3, wma, ogg, flac, ape, and aac-lc. Other files will cause errors. Audio files must be contained within one folder per book and conform to the folder and file naming conventions as explained in the Envoy Connect User Guide. Books from Overdrive, Hoopla, etc. will not work because they use Digital Rights Management.
Will the Envoy Connect affect our ability to get CDs for our Deposit Collections?
No. Currently, we have no plans to limit or discontinue CD delivery. The Envoy Connect offers our users and our member libraries another choice to read accessible audiobooks. As technology changes, we are committed to continually evaluating and updating our offerings to provide choices in services and delivery methods for our users.
What are some details we may want to consider before circulating an Envoy Connect device?
You may want to consider purchasing some kind of case for the player (there is no specific case made for the Envoy Connect but another container of some kind may suffice). The player comes with a micro-USB cable for charging and computer connection, but it may be wise to have backups. We also recommend including some simple directions and links to the CELA tutorials and User Guides for the Envoy Connect player and the CELA Connect software. These resources can be found at the following link: https://celalibrary.ca/help/envoy-connect.
If you would like to add a label to library owned Envoy Connect players, an Avery 5167 label fits on the back of the device.
Setup
We just purchased some Envoy Connect players for our library. How do we set them up for patron use?
If you are not already familiar with the player and the CELA Connect software, we recommend reading through our User Guides and other resources we have on our website to learn about them, found here: https://celalibrary.ca/help/envoy-connect. Library staff should know how to reload devices and answer questions about the device and software.
When you receive your players make sure the batteries are fully charged.
Download and install the CELA Connect software to the computer(s) you will use for loading. Connect the Envoy Connect using a micro-USB cable to the computer. Follow the prompts from the CELA Connect software to load some titles for testing. We recommend testing each of your players before circulating.
We also recommend that Envoy Connect players should not be added to your library’s CELA account and that libraries manually load books onto players. Players which are not connected to the library’s CELA account will be easier for patrons to reload at home and avoid patrons accessing the library’s CELA account through the device.
Our library has purchased some Envoy Connect players to loan to patrons. Do we need to add these devices to our library account?
We recommend not adding the Envoy Connect players you plan to loan to patrons to your CELA account. We instead recommend logging in manually to the CELA Connect software with your CELA account information each time you reload the device from the library’s CELA Direct to Player bookshelf. Information about this process can be found in our CELA Connect User Guide.
If an Envoy Connect player is connected to your library’s CELA account, and a patron connects that player to the CELA Connect software at home, the software will automatically connect it to the library’s account. The patron could then remove books from the library’s Direct to Player bookshelf without authorization. These books can always be added back, but it could cause confusion.
In addition, a patron may have their own CELA account and wish to use their account with the loaned Envoy Connect player. They can do this from home only if the player isn’t connected to your library’s CELA account (as the CELA Connect software will automatically log in to the library’s CELA account otherwise).
CELA Connect
Where can libraries get the CELA Connect software to download books onto an Envoy Connect player?
The CELA Connect software can be downloaded from the CELA website on the Envoy Connect help page: https://celalibrary.ca/help/envoy-connect.
Please note: the CELA Connect software works with Windows 10 and above editions only. Information about how to load books using a Mac is available in the “Advanced: Manual Loading” section in the Envoy Connect User Guide.
Will the CELA Connect software become available for Mac?
We do not have current plans to develop the CELA Connect software for Macs. Information about how to load books using a Mac is available in the “Advanced: Manual Loading” section in the Envoy Connect User Guide.
Reloading
A patron has come into the library requesting help loading their Envoy Connect. How do we do this?
You can work with the patron to use their CELA account to reload or you can use the library’s CELA account to reload as well. Please see the FAQs for further details. If you are using the patron’s CELA account, they must provide the library with permission to access that account.
In order to reload the patron’s Envoy Connect, they must have books 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 Envoy Connect player, to ensure books are ready prior to visiting the library.
If the patron’s Envoy Connect player has already been added to their account, all you need to do is plug the player into a computer that has internet access and the CELA Connect software installed and follow the prompts on the screen. Detailed instructions on how to use the CELA Connect software can be found in the CELA Connect User Guide.
If the patron does not have their player already added to their account, they will need to have their CELA account number and password to be able to use the CELA Connect software. Please ask the patron to contact CELA to have the serial number of their player added to their account.
Note that the process of loading books on the player can take some time, depending on the number and size of the books.
How do library staff use their library’s CELA account to reload a patron’s Envoy Connect player?
In this case, the patron’s Envoy Connect player should not be added to the patron’s account, as the CELA Connect software would then connect to the patron’s CELA account automatically.
The books the patron wishes to read on their Envoy Connect should be added to the library’s CELA Direct to Player bookshelf at least 24 hours in advance of loading. When ready to load the player, connect the Envoy Connect to the computer using the micro-USB cable. Open CELA Connect. Log in manually to the library’s CELA account and proceed by following the screens as usual.
We have purchased some Envoy Connect players to loan to patrons. How do library staff reload these devices?
There are two options: you can either use your library’s CELA account to reload, or you can work with the patron to use their CELA account to reload. If using the patron’s account, the patron will need to provide the library with permission to access their CELA account.
The process is very similar in both cases: books should be added to the CELA account’s Direct to Player bookshelf at least 24 hours in advance of loading time. Then, staff will connect the Envoy Connect player to be loaded using a micro-USB cable to a computer with CELA connect software and internet connection. Open CELA Connect and manually log in to either the library’s CELA account or the patron’s CELA account. This requires the CELA account number and password. After logging in, follow the directions that appear on screen in the CELA Connect software.
If a user borrows one of our Envoy Connect devices, can they reload it at their home?
Yes. If the user has their own CELA account and a computer with internet access, they can use the CELA Connect software to add and delete books from the library owned Envoy Connect device. Information for patrons about downloading and using the CELA Connect software can be found at https://celalibrary.ca/help/envoy-connect.
General FAQ
Please visit our General FAQ for the Envoy Connect and CELA Connect for more FAQs.
Envoy Connect and CELA Connect Help Page
Please visit our Envoy Connect and CELA Connect help page for more information.