Overview
CELA gives you the option of listening to a sample of an audio book before checking it out. Each title in our catalogue has a link called Listen to a sample which allows you to preview titles of interest.
How do I listen to a sample?
You can listen to samples of books from the brief title records that appear in search results or from the full record for a specific title.
- Titles include a Listen to a sample link where you can hear a recording of part of the book that lasts up to three minutes long.
- To listen, select the link Listen to a sample. A mini player will open on the screen and the audio sample will start playing.
- Use the buttons on the mini-player to pause or stop the sample and adjust the sound volume.
What buttons are on the sample player?
The buttons are play/pause, stop, increase volume, decrease volume in that order. If you are using a screenreader you navigate these buttons using the tab function.
How do I stop a sample once I have heard enough?
Samples can be paused by selecting the pause or stop buttons. You can also allow the sample to play for 3 minutes and it will then shut off automatically. The sample does not repeat unless you select play again. If you leave the page the sample will stop. Patrons using screen readers can stop the sample from playing using shortcut keys, such as the enter key in JAWS.
How do I adjust the volume of the sample?
The sample is set to play at 50% volume automatically. Select the increase or decrease volume buttons and hold the enter key to adjust the volume.
Can I adjust the speed of the sample?
The reading speed of the audio sample cannot be adjusted.
Can I listen to a braille book sample?
Audio samples are only available for audio books in the CELA catalogue. If we have an audio format of the braille book you are interested in, you are welcome to listen to the audio sample.
Are there samples for the audio magazines?
Samples for the audio magazines will not be available.
Do I need to be logged in to hear the sample?
No, you can listen to the sample without being logged in to the CELA system.
Do the samples require a significant amount of data?
The samples are quite short. Estimated data usage per sample is 700 k.
Do the audio samples work on all devices?
Samples have been tested successfully across a number of platforms. However, if you are having trouble with a platform, please contact us.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can hear a sample?
You may listen to the sample as many times as you would like. The content of the samples does not change however.