Catalog
Q: Can I do a subject and keyword search?
A: Currently, you may do keyword searching on the title, author, and ISBN in the simple search or the advanced search in our Book Catalog.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What do I do if my book search yields 0 titles?
A: If your search results yields zero titles, it does not necessarily mean the book is not in our library. We suggest starting with the Simple Search form and entering only Author and / or Title keywords. In general, when searching, less information will retrieve more results. If you retrieve too many books, you can also revise your search to narrow your results. For specific search help, we recommend you refer to our Search Tips, located on our Book Catalog search pages. If you still cannot locate a book, Member Services may be able to help you. Member Services can be reached at Custserv@LearningAlly.org or 800-221-4792.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is a shelf number?
A: Learning Ally books are assigned an alphanumeric shelf number, such as GC031 for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. If you know your shelf number, you can enter the shelf number for a quick search.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is a product number?
A: Learning Ally product numbers consist of a prefix for the book format and a shelf number.
Books on CD, which were converted from an original cassette master, have an AD- prefix. Ex.: AD-GC031 is the CD version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, originally recorded in analog format.
Books on CD originally recorded in digital format have a DT- prefix. Digital books with a DT- prefix usually offer multiple levels of text navigation - page, chapter and sometimes, subchapter levels. Digital books with an AD- prefix, because they were converted from an analog master, offer page-level navigation only. In some books, the pagination may be off and in these cases, members may need to navigate through the book using the FORWARD and BACK keys on their CD players or software, rather than navigating directly to a specific page number.
Downloadable DAISY books have a DL- prefix. These digital audiobooks are DAISY 2.02 books and offer the same navigation as our original DAISY CDs.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is an ISBN number?
A: An ISBN is the International Standard Book Number. ISBNs are located on the reverse side of the title page of the book. Books can have multiple ISBNs and recently 13-digit ISBNs were added to new titles. ISBNs are specific to a publisher's version of a title. For example, the paperback and hardcover versions of a title may have different ISBNs. Likewise, two books of the same title published by different publishers will have different ISBNs. If you retrieve zero results when searching by ISBN, do your search again using Title or Title / Author keywords, as the title may still be in the Learning Ally library, but with a different ISBN than the copy you searched on.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is a modular book?
A: Modular book sets contain a number of individual titles that fall under a main title. For example: Main title: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life. Individual modules for this book include:
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Diversity of Life
- Ecology and Behavior
- Evolution of Life
- Plant Structure and Function
- Animal Structure and Function
When searching for these titles, you may search by the main title or you may search by one of the modular titles.
Searching by the main title will retrieve both the main title and all of the individual modules. Searching by one of the individual modules will retrieve that specific title and the main title.
In a modular set, you can identify the main title by the prefixes: AD-CP or DT-CP.
If you order the complete modular set, it counts as one book when ordered. Individual modules ordered count as the quantity of books ordered.
For example, if you choose Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, it will count as one book ordered and you will receive all the individual modules in the set (i.e. Cell Biology and Genetics, Diversity of Life, Ecology and Behavior, Evolution of Life, Plant Structure and Function, and Animal Structure and Function). If you don't order the entire title Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, but instead order the individual modules Cell Biology and Genetics and Diversity of Life, it will count as two book orders because you ordered two individual modules.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is an installment?
A: An installment provides members finished sections from books that are still in the process of being recorded. The installments include the same navigation as DAISY CDs and will play on all Learning Ally enabled equipment. Installments are available on all DAISY CDs and Downloadable DAISY books.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: Are these installments available to member schools and other member agencies? How many can be ordered?
A: Yes, our policy on installments is: one (1) copy of a particular title for individuals and three (3) copies for schools/agencies.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: Does ordering the installment count against a members' book limit?
A: Yes, since members will eventually receive the full book at time of completion, titles ordered count toward the members' book limits.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is the specific timeframe in which a member can expect installments once the order is placed, and subsequent installments?
A: Once an installment order is placed for audiobooks on CD, it should be produced and shipped from the Learning Ally Headquarters within 24-48 hours. Since these digital installments are shipped via free matter, you should begin to receive them within 2-4 weeks of the initial order. Additional installments will then begin to arrive approximately 3 weeks thereafter until completion of the book, at which time a completed copy of the digital book (in its entirety) will be provided to you.
Installments are created on the same schedule for DAISY downloadable books. Members will be notified by e-mail with the release number of the installment and what pages are contained on the new installment.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What is a reservation?
A: When a title is listed in the catalog but is not currently available/completed, you may place a reservation order. Books in reservation status are:
- in pre-production awaiting the recording process OR
- currently in the process of being recorded
When a title is listed in the catalog as available in installments, you will receive parts of the book as they become completed. When placing your order you may choose "Reservations" to receive the book in its entirety when it is completed, or you may choose to receive the book in "Installments" as they become available.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: I am an international individual member and I don't see any books on tape in the online catalog. Can I now order books on CD?
A: Unfortunately, Learning Ally is limited by US copyright law and we are unable to send digitally produced audiobooks outside the borders of the United States. However, we value our loyal international individual members and realize that the only way to serve you is to offer audiobook titles from our digital collection on four-track cassette until such time as an alternative solution can be determined. Learning Ally individual members may contact Member Services at 800-221-4792 to place orders for books in cassette format from titles in our digital library for delivery outside the US.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: Do I need a computer to access Learning Ally's audiobook library?
A: No, you do not need a computer to access the Learning Ally audiobook library. Member Service representatives can search the book catalog for you. You can call 800-221-4792 to speak with a representative or you can also fax your book order to Member Services 609-987-8116.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What do I do if I have an edition of a book that is earlier/later than the one in your catalog?
A: We generally suggest that you first order the edition of the book, closest in date, to the exact book you need. In many cases, the content of different editions of the same title varies only slightly and this other edition may help you with most of the content needed for your studies/needs.
There are two other options for obtaining the exact edition you need:
- You may send in one copy of the book and request that the book be recorded for our library. The decision to record a given book is based on the following criteria:
- If the book falls within the educational scope of our library
- If we have volunteer readers available who are familiar with the subject area
- If one copy of the book with your name and Borrower ID Number written inside the book are provided.
Learning Ally records multiple editions of many books; however we generally will only record two editions of the book older than the current edition of the book in use.
- If you do not want to send in one copy of the book for recording or if you do not need the title immediately, you can make a Title Suggestion either online or by calling Member Services at 800-221-4792. Note that you must have activated your account and be logged in to make a Title Suggestion.
To make an online Title Suggestion, search for your book in the Book Catalog, making sure you search on the exact edition of the book you need. If the book is not in our catalog, the search results screen will give you the option to enter a Title Suggestion. On the title suggestion form, be sure to enter the date you need the book by in the Date Needed by Member field. Title suggestions are reviewed monthly by our librarians and we may acquire your book for recording in the future.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: I need to request a book that is not currently in your library. Is it possible to have it recorded for me?
A: Although it is impossible to record every new book published, Learning Ally records approximately 7,000 new titles every year to provide our members with the most popular textbooks being used. In a case where we do not have a book you need, you may request that it be added to our library. The decision to record a given book is based on the following criteria:
- If the book falls within the educational scope of our library
- If we have volunteer readers available who are familiar with the subject area
- If one copy of the book with your name and Borrower ID Number written inside the book is provided
Learning Ally's policy is to record only complete, copyrighted books that are educational in nature and that support a formal academic curriculum. If Learning Ally is able to add the title you submit to our recorded library, we will retain the copies of the print book until the recording process is complete. While a book is in the process of being recorded, we will send CDs to you in installments so that you may begin using the audiobook as quickly as possible.
Please note that Learning Ally studios mark texts with penciled instructions to guide volunteer readers through the sequence of text, charts, illustrations and footnotes.
back to the top | back to FAQs page
Q: What if I need additional help with the online catalog?
A: Please visit our section dedicated to providing detailed help and tips for using the online catalog.
back to the top | back to FAQs page