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Home > Patron Survey (2003) Index page > Appendix A, Questionnaire
5. Discussion
Appendix B. Response codes
NLS Patron Survey Questionnaire
(Including CATI Codes)
II. Interviewers' Introduction
IV. Ordering and Returning Tapes
VI. Early Experiences with the Playback Equipment
IX. Use of Computers, the Internet, and other High-Tech Devices
XII. Additional Information from CMLS
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE NLS PATRON SURVEY
Date of Interview:
Interviewer's Name:
CATI ID Number:
Start Time:
(e.g., information interviewer needs to conduct survey)
Phone Number: (area code + number)
Prefix Code: (Mr., Ms., etc.)
Subscriber Name: (First, Middle, Last)
Birth Year (From CMLS):
Library ID:
Library Location: (city, state)
(as defined in AAPOR, 2000, Standard Definitions: Final Disposition of Case Codes for Outcome Rates for Surveys. Lenexa, Kansas)
1. Interview
Complete (1.1)
____% applicable capability items valid (min. = 90%)
____% applicable demographic items valid (min. = 90%)
____% applicable remaining items valid (min. = 60%)
Partial (1.2)
____% applicable capability items valid (50 - 89%)
____% applicable demographic items valid (50 – 89%)
____% applicable remaining items valid (min. = 60%)
2. Non-Response (eligible, no interview)
Refusals (2.11)
Too busy, no time (2.111)
Not well enough (self-report) (2.112)
Don't know enough about Talking Books program (2.115)
Confidentiality concerns (e.g., don't want govt. to know my business) (2.113)
Concern about how results will be used (2.114)
Other suspiciousness of survey or caller (2.115)
Not interested (2.116)
Other-- SPECIFY: ______________________
Break-offs (interview breaks-off and does not qualify as a partial interview; includes interviews with valid data for less than 50% of all applicable capability and demographic items) (2.12)
TDD or fax/data line (4.20)
Non-working or disconnected number (4.30)
Number provided is incorrect (4.41)
Away from home during data collection period
Other—SPECIFY: _________________________________
Non-contacts (after the 5 call-backs: eligible respondent never responds, only answering device or another member of respondent's household is reached
3. Not Eligible
Age under 18 (4.11)
Deaf (4.12)
Deceased (2.31)
Physically unable to participate (2.321)
Who reports physical incapacity (relationship to R): _______________________
Exact words used to report physical incapacity: ___________________________
Mentally unable to participate (2.322)
Who reports mental incapacity (relationship to R): _________________________
Exact words used to report mental incapacity: ____________________________
Language (can't complete interview in English) (2.33)
Other—SPECIFY: ____________________________
Q1. Hello, my name is _________. I'm calling on behalf of the Talking Book program at the Library of Congress. Is [first + last name of subscriber] available?
Respondent is speaking
Respondent came to the phone
Respondent is not available [Arrange a call back date and time]
No respondent at household [Go to Response Codes]
Q2. The Library of Congress' Talking Book program is conducting a national survey to help them design a new playback machine for reading Talking Books. You may have recently received a letter about this survey. We are contacting you and other Talking Book users to get a better understanding of our subscribers so we can design the new playback machine to better meet your needs.
Interview continues [GO TO Q3]
Respondent hesitant or refuses [GO TO REFUSAL SCRIPT]
Q2a. Before I proceed, are you 18 years of age or older? We need to be sure everyone surveyed is over 18.
Header label: qa2a
1=Yes
0=No (GO TO REFUSAL SCRIPT)
Q3. This survey is voluntary, will take about 25 minutes, and responses will be kept strictly confidential. The questions I'm about to ask you will help the Library of Congress improve its Talking Book program.
Interview continues
Respondent hesitant or refuses [GO TO REFUSAL SCRIPT]
IF: I don't do surveys.
ANSWER: We are conducting this survey in order to assess users of the Library's Talking Books. Your participation could directly help you and many Talking Book users by improving the playback machines.
IF: I don't have time.
ANSWER: This survey will take less than 25 minutes. We can schedule the interview at a time convenient to you. A fair study needs the opinions of busy people like you, as well as people who have more time, if we are to present an accurate picture of what Library subscribers think.
IF: I don't know who you are.
ANSWER: I am calling for the Library of Congress Talking Book program of which you are a subscriber. If you would like, I can give you a telephone number to call to confirm the authenticity of the study.
The number to call is 1-800-424-8567 and mention the “user survey”.
IF: I don't know how the results will be used.
ANSWER: The Library is beginning to develop new playback equipment to provide improved service. The results of this survey will be used to guide the design process. That is why we are asking for your help.
IF: I don't know enough.
ANSWER: We are trying to get a true picture of what all types of subscribers' need, not just what “experts” say. We are asking for your own opinions, which you know better than anyone else. Your participation in the survey will help improve the Talking Book program.
IF: I don't want the library and/or government to know about me or what I do.
ANSWER: Your answers are completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone. We do this so that you can be comfortable telling us what you really think; not what you think the library or government wants to hear.
IF: I don't accept calls from telemarketers AND/OR: I am on the “Do Not Call” list.
ANSWER: We are not telemarketers and we are not trying to sell you anything. I am calling to request your participation in a national survey that will help your Library assess its Talking Book program.
IF: I am under the age of 18 years.
ANSWER: I'm sorry. You have to be at least 18 years old to participate in this study. Thank you for your time.
IF: I didn't receive the letter about the survey.
ANSWER: That's ok. The letter was sent just to let you know that you may be contacted to participate in this survey. We can still proceed with the survey.
IF: What will the new playback device be like?
ANSWER: Those decisions have not been made yet. Your information and this survey will help determine the characteristics of the new player.
IF: This is a bad time.
ANSWER: I will be happy to schedule a call back that would be convenient to you.
Date:____________________ Time:_______________
IF AGREEABLE, BEGIN SURVEY QUESTIONS.
IF STILL REFUSES, THANK RESPONDENT AND CATEGORIZE CASE BASED ON APPROPRIATE RESPONSE CODE.
NOTE: QUESTIONS WILL REFER TO NLS' REGIONAL AND LOCAL LIBRARIES AS “TALKING BOOKS LIBRARY.” USE RESPONDENT'S TERMINOLOGY INSTEAD, IF APPLICABLE.
I'd like to start with some questions about ordering and returning tapes.
Q. 1 Thinking back to the beginning of this year, to January of 2003, have you received any cassette books or magazines from your Talking Book Library since then?
Header label: q1
1=Yes—CONTINUE
2=Maybe—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 4
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 4
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 4
Q. 2 Have any of these cassettes [I.E., RECEIVED THIS YEAR] been books?
Header label: q2
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 4
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 4
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 4
Q. 3 So far this year, do you think you've received more than 20 books from your Talking Book Library, or do you think you've received 20 or fewer books?
IF UNSURE: Just give me your best guess.
Header label: q3
1=More than 20
2=20 or fewer
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 4 When you have more than one cassette book or magazine on hand, how do you usually tell one cassette from another?
IF APPROPRIATE: How do you know which book or magazine is which?
MARK ALL THAT APPLY
Header label: q4_1
Large print label on the cassette or container cassette came in
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_2
Braille label on the cassette
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_3
Someone tells me what the label says
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_4
I keep tapes in the boxes they came in
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_5
I listen to the tape
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_6
Other
1=Yes
0=No
Header label: q4_98=Don't know
Header label: q4_99=Answer refused
Header label: q4_other
SPECIFY: ________________
Q. 5 When it's time to return the tapes to your Talking Book library, do you usually return them yourself, or with help from someone else, or does someone else return the tapes for you?
Header label: q5
1=Myself
2=With help from someone else
3=Someone else return them for me
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 6 Is it easy for you to return tapes, or is it difficult?
PROBE: Is it very easy/difficult or somewhat easy/difficult?
Header label: q6
1=Very easy--SKIP TO Q. 8
2=Somewhat easy--SKIP TO Q. 8
3=Somewhat difficult—CONTINUE
4=Very difficult—CONTINUE
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 8
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 8
Q. 7 What makes it difficult?
DO NOT PROMPT
MARK ALL THAT APPLY
Header label: q7_1
I'm too busy
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_2
Putting tapes back into their containers
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_3
Closing and latching the container
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_4
Figuring out which way the address card goes
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_5
Actually turning the address card over
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_6
Can't get to mailbox
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_7
Putting the tapes into the mailbox
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q7_8
Other
1=Yes
0=No
Header label: q7_other
—SPECIFY: _________________________
Header label: q7_98=Don't know
Header label: q7_99=Answer refused
Q. 8 Now I have some questions about other sources of reading material. Do you listen to a Radio Reading service?
Header label: q8
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 9 Have you gotten cassette books or magazines from an organization other than your Talking Book library in the past year?
Header label: q9
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 11
98=Don't know—CONTINUE
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 11
Q. 10 In the past year, have you gotten books from
Header label: q10_a
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q10_b
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q10_c
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q10_d
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q10_e
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q10_other
IF YES, SPECIFY: _____________________
ANSWER CATEGORIES FOR a – e:
Q. 11 Do you use a dial-in newspaper service?
IF UNSURE: For example, NFB Newsline?
Header label: q11
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 12 Do you use a scanner connected to a computer to scan books yourself?
Header label: q12
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
My next set of questions is about your listening habits.
Q. 13 During a typical week, how often do you listen to cassette books or magazines? Do you listen every day, almost every day, at least one day a week, or less than one day a week?
Header label: q13
1=Every day—SKIP TO Q. 15
2=Almost every day—SKIP TO Q. 15
3=At least one day a week—SKIP TO Q. 15
4=Less than one day a week?—CONTINUE
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 15
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 15
Q. 14 Do you usually listen at least once a month or less often that that?
Header label: q14
1=At least once a month, or
2=Less often than that?
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 15 When you're listening at home, is your playback machine always set up in the same place, or do you move it from one place to another?
IF R HAS MORE THAN ONE MACHINE AND MOVES ANY OF THEM, MARK “MOVE IT.”
Header label: q15
1=Always same place
2=Move it
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 16 How often do you listen to cassette books and magazines away from home—often, sometimes, rarely, or never?
Header label: q16
1=Often
2=Sometimes
3=Rarely
4=Never
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 17 Whether you are indoors or out, how often do you use your playback machine on battery power—often, sometimes, rarely, or never?
Header label: q17
1=Often
2=Sometimes
3=Rarely
4=Never
98=Don't know
97=Not applicable—No battery in machine
99=Answer refused
Q. 18 Are you familiar with the tone indexing feature that some tapes have?
IF NO OR UNSURE, PROBE: Some tapes have tones to help readers locate chapters, stories, articles, and so forth. You might have heard these tones during fast forward or rewind.
Header label: q18
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 20
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 20
97=Does not apply—SKIP TO Q. 20
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 20
Q. 19 Have you ever used these tones to find certain parts of a book or magazine?
Header label: q19
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Now I have some questions about your experiences with the Talking Book service and your playback machine.
Q. 20 For about how many years have you used the Talking Book service?
PROBE IF NECESSARY: This is the service you get from the library in [LIBRARY CITY AND STATE, FROM FACE SHEET].
Header label: q20
RECORD # YEARS: ____
< 1 YEAR = 00.
97=A LONG TIME, ALL MY LIFE, ETC. =
98=DON'T KNOW =
99=ANSWER REFUSED =
Q. 21 Do you have a cassette player supplied by the library for the blind [or Talking Book Library in CITY, STATE]?
PROBE: You may also know it as your Talking Book machine or your yellow cassette player.
Header label: q21
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 22 Do you (also) have a cassette player from another source?
Header label: q22
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 24
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 24
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 24
Q. 23 To play Talking Books, which machine do you use most often?
Header label: q23
1=Machine from the library for the blind/Library of Congress/Talking Book library/yellow machine
2=Another machine
3=Both/all equally often
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
SAY: I have some more questions about cassette players. Please tell me specifically about your experiences with the [Talking Book/yellow] machine from the library for the blind.
Q. 24 When you first got your [Talking Book/yellow] cassette machine from the library for the blind, did someone help you learn how to use it?
Header label: q24
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 25 Please answer yes or no: Did you have any problems learning how to use the machine?
Header label: q25
1-Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 28
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 28
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 28
Q. 26 Again, please answer yes or no: Did those problems eventually get solved?
Header label: q26
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 27 Did you (try to) solve those problems by yourself, or did someone (try to) help you solve them, or did someone (try to) solve them for you?
Header label: q27
1=Solved myself
2=Someone helped
3=Someone solved them for me
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 28 When you want to listen to a tape, do you usually operate the cassette machine(s) by yourself, or does someone usually help you operate it, or does someone usually operate it for you?
Header label: q28
1=By myself—CONTINUE
2=Someone helps me—CONTINUE
3=Someone operates it for me—SKIP TO Q. 39
98=Don't know—CONTINUE
99=Answer refused—CONTINUE
Q. 29 If you have a problem now with the playback machine—for instance, if the tape gets stuck—do you usually fix the problem yourself, or does someone help you fix it, or does someone fix it for you?
IF MORE THAN 1 STRATEGY: How do you usually solve the problem?
Header label: q29
1=Fix myself
2=Someone helps me
3=Someone fixes it for me
97=Not applicable—never had an operating problem
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 30 Do you have extension levers installed on your [Talking Books/yellow] cassette player?
PROBE, IF NECESSARY: These are long, finger-like levers that stick out in front of the machine and make it easier to press the keys.
Header label: q30
1=Yes—extension levers installed
0=No—presses the buttons
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 31 Using your cassette player, as you know, involves different tasks—pressing buttons, turning tapes over, and so on. Some people have difficulty with these tasks, and others do not. For each task that I mention, please tell me whether you have any difficulty. Let's start with . . .
READ a – c IN TURN, AS WRITTEN
IF DIFFICULT: Is it somewhat difficult, very difficult, or are you unable to do this at all?
a. inserting and removing the tape from the yellow machine's tape compartment. Is it at all difficult for you to do this?
Header label: q31_a
1=Not at all difficult
2=Somewhat difficult
3=Very difficult
4=Unable to do
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99Answer refused
b. Turning the tape over.
Header label: q31_b
1=Not at all difficult
2=Somewhat difficult
3=Very difficult
4=Unable to do
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99Answer refused
c. Opening the latches of the tape's container
Header label: q31_c
1=Not at all difficult
2=Somewhat difficult
3=Very difficult
4=Unable to do
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99Answer refused
d. Removing the tape from its open container
Header label: q31_d
1=Not at all difficult
2=Somewhat difficult
3=Very difficult
4=Unable to do
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99Answer refused
ANSWER CATEGORIES:
1=Not at all difficult
2=Somewhat difficult
3=Very difficult
4=Unable to do
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99Answer refused
Q. 32 I have some questions about the controls on your [Talking Book/yellow] cassette player. Do you have any trouble finding the correct control to do what you want?
IF YES, PROBE: Do you have some trouble, a lot of trouble, or are you sometimes unable to find the correct button at all?
Header label: q32
1=No trouble
2=Some trouble
3=A lot of trouble
4=Unable to find button at all
5=Use extension lever, not buttons
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 33 I'd like you to think about the buttons that you push, such as the play key or the rewind key. Do you have any trouble pushing the buttons hard enough to make them work?
IF YES, PROBE: Do you have some trouble, a lot of trouble, or are you unable to push the buttons at all?
Header label: q33
1=No trouble
2=Some trouble
3=A lot of trouble
4=Unable to push buttons at all
5=Use extension lever, not buttons
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 34 Most Talking Book machines have slider controls that can be moved to the right or the left. Some machines' volume control is a slider, for example. Does your machine have any slider controls?
Header label: q34
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 36
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 36
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 36
Q. 35 Do you have any trouble moving the sliders to the position you want?
IF YES, PROBE: Do you have some trouble, or a lot of trouble, or are you unable to move the sliders at all?
Header label: q35
1=No trouble
2=Some trouble
3=A lot of trouble
4=Unable to move sliders at all
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 36 One of the switches on your [Talking Book/yellow] cassette player is the side selector switch, or track switch. This switch gives you access to all four sides of each tape. Do you understand how to use this switch very well, or partly, or not at all?
IF MORE EXPLANATION NEEDED: You set it so you can listen to sides one and two on a cassette, and then switch it so you can hear sides three and four.
Header label: q36
1=Very well
2=Partly
3=Not at all
98=Don't know
97=Does not apply
99=Answer refused
Q. 37 In general, thinking about all the different controls on your (yellow) cassette player, do you ever have trouble figuring out which control to use, or figuring out what each control does?
IF YES, PROBE: Do you have trouble often, or sometimes, or rarely?
IF NO, MARK “NEVER”
Header label: q37
1=Often
2=Sometimes
3=Rarely
4=Never
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 38 As you know, a raised symbol identifies some keys on your (yellow) playback machine. Are these symbols very useful, somewhat useful, not very useful, or not useful at all?
Header label: q38
1=Very useful
2=Somewhat useful
3=Not very useful
4=Not useful at all
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 39 (Still speaking about the yellow cassette player from the library for the blind,) all things considered, would you say your cassette machine is easy to use or difficult to use?
PROBE: Would you say it is very easy/difficult or somewhat easy/difficult?
Header label: q39
1=Very easy
2=Somewhat easy
3=Somewhat difficult
4=Very difficult
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
NOTE: ACCEPT THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IF RESPONDENT HAS EVER HAD AN NLS PLAYER, EVEN IF S/HE DOESN'T HAVE ONE NOW.
Q. 40 If there were just one thing you could change about your cassette player, (supplied by the library for the blind,) what would that be?
Header label: q40
RECORD ANSWER VERBATIM.
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 41 Have you ever considered canceling your Talking Book service?
IF YES, PROBE: Why is that? MARK ALL THAT APPLY, BUT DO NOT PROMPT FURTHER.
IF NO, MARK “NEVER CONSIDERED” AND CONTINUE
Header label: q41
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Respondent-based reasons
I'm not well enough to listen
Header label: q41_1
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
I'm too busy
Header label: q41_2
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
No longer need service
Header label: q41_3
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Hadn't been using the service
Header label: q41_4
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Other respondent-based
Header label: q41_5
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q41_other—SPECIFY: _____________________
Machine- or tape-based reasons
Difficult to use
Header label: q41_6
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Reading is too slow
Header label: q41_7
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Sound quality not good enough
Header label: q41_8
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Other machine- or tape-based
Header label: q41_9
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q41_other2—SPECIFY: ______________________
Service-based reasons
Lots of other reading options
Header label: q41_10
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Available topics aren't what I want
Header label: q41_11
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Ordering is too difficult
Header label: q41_12
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Takes too long to receive tapes
Header label: q41_13
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Returning tapes is too difficult
Header label: q41_14
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Service in general is too much trouble/more trouble than it's worth
Header label: q41_15
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Someone else may need the service more than I
Header label: q41_16
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Other service-based
Header label: q41_17
1=Yes
0=Never considered canceling service
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q41_other3—SPECIFY: __________________
Q. 42 During the next few years, the people from the Talking Book program will be developing a new playback machine. They want to know which improvements are the most important to Talking Book subscribers. For each type of possible improvement I mention, please tell me how important that improvement is to you.
ANSWER CATEGORIES:
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
a. Better sound quality than now when playing tapes at the normal speed. Is this not at all important to you, somewhat important, or very important?
Header label: q41_a
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
b. Being able to slow the reading down or speed it up without changing the pitch of the reader's voice. Is this not at all important to you, somewhat important, or very important?
Header label: q41_b
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
FOR c TO i, REPEAT ANSWER CATEGORIES ONLY IF NEEDED.
c. Being able to listen to a book without turning a tape over or using a side selector switch.
Header label: q41_c
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
d. Having a lightweight playback machine
Header label: q41_d
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
e. Having a small playback machine
Header label: q41_e
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
f. Being able to move around easily from one part of a book to another
Header label: q41_f
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
g. Being able to mark a place in the book that you want to return to
Header label: q41_g
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
h. Being able to set the player so it automatically skips over particular parts of a book, such as footnotes
Header label: q41_h
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
i. Finding your place after you've fallen asleep.
Header label: q41_i
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
j. Being able to have words spelled when you wish.
Header label: q41_j
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
k. Getting your books from the library quickly.
Header label: q41_k
1=Not at all important
2=Somewhat important
3=Very important
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Now I'd like to ask about other kinds of equipment that you might use.
Q. 43 When you want to telephone someone, do you usually dial the phone yourself?
Header label: q43
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 44 Please answer yes or no: Do you use a computer at all, at home or somewhere else?
Header label: q44
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 49
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 50
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 50
Q. 45 Is there a computer in your home?
Header label: q45
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 48
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 48
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 48
Q. 46 Do you yourself ever use this computer?
Header label: q46
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 47 Does someone else ever use this computer on your behalf, that is, to do something for you or to help you with something, such as sending an e-mail?
Header label: q47
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 48 Do you ever use a computer somewhere other than your home—for example, at work, at a library, at school, and so on?
Header label: q48
1=Yes—SKIP TO Q. 50
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 50
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 50
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 50
Q. 49 What are your reasons for not using a computer?
DO NOT PROMPT.
MARK ALL THAT APPLY.
Inaccessible to people with a disability (e.g., can't see the screen)
Header label: q49_1
1=Yes
0=No
Health and disability problems (e.g., my arthritis is too severe)
Header label: q49_2
1=Yes
0=No
No access (e.g., don't own one)
Header label: q49_3
1=Yes
0=No
Too expensive
Header label: q49_4
1=Yes
0=No
Too complicated
Header label: q49_5
1=Yes
0=No
Too much trouble, bother
Header label: q49_6
1=Yes
0=No
Fear of computers, technology more generally
Header label: q49_7
1=Yes
0=No
I'm too old
Header label: q49_8
1=Yes
0=No
Don't know how to use
Header label: q49_9
1=Yes
0=No
Not interested
Header label: q49_10
1=Yes
0=No
No need (e.g., likes doing things the old way)
Header label: q49_11
1=Yes
0=No
Other
Header label: q49_12
1=Yes
0=No
Header label: q49_other
—SPECIFY: _____________________
Don't know
Header label: q49_98
1=Yes
0=No
Answer refused
Header label: q49_99
1=Yes
0=No
Q. 50 Please answer yes or no: Do you use the internet at all, including email or Web TV, at home or anywhere else?
Header label: q50
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 53
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 53
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 53
Q. 51 Do you have an internet connection at home?
Header label: q51
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 53
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 53
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 53
Q. 52 What type of connection do you have—a dial-up connection or a high-speed connection like DSL or cable?
IF UNSURE: If you have a dial-up connection, your computer makes a screeching sound while it's setting up the internet connection. A high-speed, or broadband, connection doesn't make that sound and provides faster access to the Internet than a dial-up connection does. Usually it is either DSL or is supplied by your cable company. Some high-speed connections use a satellite or fiber optic cables.
Header label: q52
1=Dial-up
2=High-speed
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 53 Have you ever heard of “synthetic speech”?
IF NO OR HESITANT: Some people call it “a computer voice” or “computer speech”.
Header label: q53
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 56
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 56
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 56
Q. 54 How often, if at all, have you listened to synthetic speech—often, occasionally, rarely, or never?
Header label: q54
1=Often
2=Occasionally
3=Rarely
4=Never?
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 55 I have a short list of reading materials that are could be presented
in synthetic speech. For each one, please say whether or not you would be willing
to listen to it in synthetic speech.
ANSWER CATEGORIES:
Header label: q55
1=Yes
2=Maybe
3=It depends
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q55_a
1=Yes
2=Maybe
3=It depends
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q55_b
1=Yes
2=Maybe
3=It depends
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
c. (Would you be willing to listen to) books of fiction, such as novels, (in synthetic speech)?
Header label: q55_c
1=Yes
2=Maybe
3=It depends
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
d. (Would you be willing to listen to) non-fiction books (in synthetic speech)?
Header label: q55_d
1=Yes
2=Maybe
3=It depends
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 56 I have a short list of adaptive devices designed for people with vision problems. Please tell me whether or not you use each one.
ANSWER CATEGORIES:
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q56_a
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q56_b
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q56_c
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q56_d
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q56_ae
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
f. (Do you use) a Braille device?
Header label: q56_f
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
My next questions ask about other technology you might use in your everyday life.
Q. 57 To make a purchase, do you ever swipe a debit card or credit card through a card reader?
Header label: q57
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 58 Do you ever use a bank card at an ATM machine?
Header label: q58
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 59 Do you use a remote control for your TV, or your stereo, or other equipment?
Header label: q59
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 60 Do you yourself operate a CD player?
Header label: q60
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 62
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 62
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 62
Q. 61 Do you have any trouble handling the CDs, for example, when inserting them into the player or when removing them?
Header label: q61
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 62 Do you ever insert batteries into a household device, such as a flashlight or radio?
Header label: q62
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
I have just a few more questions, and then we'll be done. To help us understand people's experiences with Talking Books, we need some background information. I'd like to start with a few questions about your health and disability.
Q. 63 Would you say your health in general is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?
Header label: q63
1=Excellent
2=Very good
3=Good
4=Fair, or
5=Poor
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 64 Do you have some useful vision, or are you totally blind?
Header label: q64
1=Some useful vision—CONTINUE
2=Totally blind or some light perception only—SKIP TO Q. 69
98=Don't know—CONTINUE
99=Answer refused—CONTINUE
Q. 65 Do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses?
Header label: q65
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 66 Are you able to read the large print labels on your cassette player?
Header label: q66
1=Yes
2=Somewhat (includes “not very well,” “a little bit”, etc.)
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 67 When you are trying to distinguish or “make out” an object, how useful to you is having a strong contrast between light and dark? Is strong contrast very useful, somewhat useful, or not useful?
Header label: q67
1=Very useful—CONTINUE
2=Somewhat useful—CONTINUE
3=Not useful—SKIP TO Q. 69
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 69
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 69
Q. 68 As you know, there are two types of contrast between light and dark. One type is the contrast between a dark object and a light background; most newspapers, for instance, are written in black ink on white paper. The other type is the contrast between a light object and a dark background; some signs on streets or highways, for example, have white lettering on a background of black or dark green.
Which type of contrast is more useful to you: a dark object on a light background or a light object on a dark background?
Header label: q68
1=Dark object on light background
2=Light object on dark background
3=Both equally useful, makes no difference
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 69 About how old were you when you first had serious difficulty seeing?
Header label: q69
RECORD AGE: ______ (AT BIRTH = 00)
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 70 Do you have a physical condition that prevents you from holding a book or turning pages?
Header label: q70
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 72
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 72
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q. 72
Q. 71 About how old were you when this condition began to affect your reading books or magazines?
Header label: q71
RECORD AGE: ______
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 72 Do you have a learning disability, such as dyslexia, that makes it hard for you to read print material?
Header label: q72
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
And finally, some more general background questions.
Q. 73 How old were you on your last birthday?
Header label: q73
ENTER AGE: _______--CONTINUE
98=Don't know—SKIP TO Q. 75
99=Answer refused—SKIP TO Q.75
Q. 74 So, that means you were born in (YEAR)?
Header label: q74
ENTER BIRTH YEAR: ______
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Q. 75 Is English your first or native language, or did you learn English later?
Header label: q75
1=First/native language
2=Learned English later
99=Refused to Answer.
Q. 76 Please answer yes or no: Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?
Header label: q76
1=Yes
0=No
98=Don't know
99=Refused to answer
Q. 77 How do you describe your race: White, Black or African-American, Asian, American Indian or an Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or some other race?
Header label: q77
1=American Indian or Alaska Native
2=Black or African –American
3=Asian
4=Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
5=White
6=Some other race—SPECIFY: _____________
7=Multiple races—SPECIFY: ________________
98=Don't know
99=Refused to Answer
Header label: q78
1=Rural or farming
2=Small town
3=Suburb
4=City
98=Don't know
99=Answer refused
Header label: q79
1=Yes—CONTINUE
0=No—SKIP TO Q. 81
99=Refused to Answer—SKIP TO Q. 81
Q. 80 Do you work full-time or part-time?
Header label: q80
1=Full-time
2=Part-time
99=Answer refused
Header label: q81
0=0—No formal education
Grades 1 through 11—SPECIFY: ___
1= grade 1
2=grade 2
3=grade 3
4=grade 4
5=grade 5
6=grade 6
7=grade 7
8=grade 8
9=grade 9
10=grade 10
11=grade 11
12=12 High school grad or GED
13=13 1 year of college or trade school
14=14 2 years of college or trade school; Associate's degree
15=15 3 years of college
16=16 Four-year college grad--Bachelor's degree
17=17 Some graduate school, no degree
18=18 Master's or professional degree (e.g., MA, MSW, law degree, RN)
19=19 Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D, DSW, MD, etc.)
99=Refused to answer
Q. 82 Please tell me which of the following categories best describes your household's total income, before taxes, for 2002. In 2002, was your total household income less than $20,000, between $20,000 and $39,000, between $40,000 and $59,000, between $60,000 and $79,000, or $80,000 or more?
Header label: q82
1=Less than $20,000
2=$20,000 - $39,000
3=$40,000 - $59,000
4=$60,000 - $79,00
5=$80,000 or more
98=Don't know
99=Refused to answer
This is the end of the survey. Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this important study. A summary of the findings will appear in Talking Book Topics early next year.
1. Gender of respondent:
Header label: i1
m= Male
f=Female
u=Unable to determine
2. Was a proxy used to complete any part of this survey?
Header label: i2
1=Yes—Most or all questions answered by proxy
2=Yes—Some questions, but fewer than half, answered by proxy
3=Yes—A few questions answered by proxy
0=No—All questions answered by respondent
NOTE to Interviewer: Q3 SHOULD BE ON A PAGE and/or FILE BY ITSELF, FOR “TEAR-OFF”, TO BE SENT TO NLS.
3. If the respondent has any questions or problems that s/he wants to talk with NLS staff about, please complete the following form to be submitted to NLS:
INTERVIEW DATE: __________________
RESPONDENT'S NAME: ______________________________
PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________
Library ID: _____________
Subscriber ID: ______________
What respondent wants to discuss with NLS: __________________
Additional CMLS data that will be kept with each subscriber's record for possible future analysis:
Library ID:
Subscriber ID:
Subscriber Status: (Active, Suspended, etc.)
Subscriber Type: (Individual, Institution)
Domicile Code: (U.S., foreign)
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
County ID:
Handicap Code:
Subscriber Primary Language:
Subscriber Secondary Language:
Equipment Code(s): (type of machine)
Reader Code(s): (Braille, youth reader, etc.)
Temporary address
Publications received
5. Discussion
Appendix B. Response codes
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Posted on 2006-05-30