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.

What are some details we may want to consider before purchasing an Envoy Connect device?

You may want to consider buying 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 USB cable for charging and computer connection, but it may be wise to have backups. The original Envoy Connect has a Micro-USB port, and the Envoy Connect 2 has a USB-C port. 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 on our Envoy Connect and CELA Connect page.

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?

Familiarize yourself with the player and software. We recommend reading through our User Guides and other resources on our website. Library staff should know how to reload devices and answer questions about the device and software.

General considerations: Give some thought to how you want to use these players.

  • Will you be preloading them with books from CELA or loaning them empty? 
  • Would you like to have each player linked to its own unique CELA account to keep track of individual borrower history or will you load all your players from the library’s main account?

We are happy to help you review your options to put the players to best use.

If you want individual accounts for each player, contact us and we will help you set this up and link each player to its own account for easy reloading. 

Otherwise, if you will only use the library main account, we advise against linking this account to your players. You can store the login information locally on the computer that has the CELA Connect software installed. This gives you flexibility to allow patrons to use the player with their own account at home and also avoids the risk of patrons accidentally deleting books from your library’s CELA Direct to Player bookshelf.

Prepare the players 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 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.

Our library has purchased some Envoy Connect players to loan to patrons. Do we need to add these devices to our library account?

Linking is not necessary and, in most cases, not recommended. The one notable exception is if you choose to use individual CELA accounts for each player. We can help you set this up. 

Note that, when an account is linked to the player, patrons can use the CELA Connect software at home and remove books from your library’s Direct to Player bookshelf. This may be acceptable to you, if each player has its own CELA account but may cause confusion if you use multiple players with the same main library account. This is why we don’t recommend linking it to the player in this case. Instead, you will need to log in manually on your library computers with the CELA Connect software.

Another advantage of not linking the account to the player is that it allows you to loan out players to patrons that may wish to use their own CELA account to load content to the player either independently or with your help. 

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.

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 linked to the patron’s account, as the CELA Connect software would then connect to the patron’s CELA account automatically. We can help unlink the player from the patron’s account if needed.

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 a compatible 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.

If using your library CELA account, you may either load all players using your main CELA account or set up individual accounts for each player.

The process is very similar in all 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 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 on our Envoy Connect and CELA Connect page.

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.

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