Various images taken of library processes and staff, for the NILS Annual Report. These include: - the Circulation area, where items were returned via post and stacked on trolleys. Cassette books were checked for completeness (as a book could require multiple cassette containers or having missing cassettes) and if they had been rewound, before returning. The computer system either re-circulated the book out to another borrower or put to storage in the Hanging Carousel, which was 1 storey high and housed 1000's of books. Books being sent out again were issued a card with the address label printed on it, and were required to be placed in the address rack on the book, before being shipped out via post. - Computer Access Centre was located in the Browsing Library and consisted of two computers, one with a larger screen for increased font size and a trackball mouse designed for people with limited mobility. - Duplication where blank cassettes are loaded into 'slaves' and a master recording duplicated on to multiple tapes - Browsing Library where a small selection of Braille, audio and large print books are kept and can be viewed. - Braille and Large Print Production, where text is scanned then transformed into the desired format, before proofing and dispatch to the client. - Audio Production studios where text is recorded by single or multiple narrators, and produced. 298 images of NILS staff, clients and volunteersnational information library service, john turner, carl sayo, tim mitchell, marnie rose-smith, ted johnson, craig carey, jamie kelly, alan egerton, alan bates, bernadette jolley, debbie cooke, kelly thong, robert de graauw, karl hughes, justin bates, jean watson

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

April Meeting (Newsletter No. 233, Apr. 2017) Our meeting at 8.00pm on Wednesday 12th April 2017 is our Annual General Meeting, which includes the presentation of annual reports and the election of office bearers for the coming year. The official notification of the Annual General Meeting and Agenda are on page 8 in this Newsletter. At this meeting we are pleased to have as our guest speaker Dr. Andrew Lemon, a great friend of EDHS and a Fellow and the immediate Past President of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Andrew is an independent Melbourne historian, author of numerous books on local history, shipwrecks, biography, schools and sport and winner of national literary awards. He has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Melbourne for his published works. Andrew edited the Victorian Historical Journal throughout the 1990s and served on the Library Board of Victoria and the Heritage Council. Andrew is a very entertaining presenter and in our 50th Anniversary year he has chosen to speak about ‘Fifty years of the EDHS - and why it matters.’1:03:34 duration Digital MP3 File 75 MB andrew lemon, audio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting

October Meeting (Newsletter No. 248, Oct. 2019) It was intended that Dr. Andrew Lemon AM would be our guest speaker at our last meeting on Wednesday 14th August 2019, to talk about Heritage Advocacy - the role of historical research and historical societies. Unfortunately, due to a clash of commitments Andrew apologised for not being able to attend and we are delighted he will now be our speaker at our next meeting on Wednesday 9th October. As mentioned in our last newsletter, this presentation was very well received when Andrew was the keynote speaker at the recent Regional Conference of the Association of Eastern Historical Societies. Andrew is an independent professional historian who has published many commissioned local and institutional histories since his first book, Box Hill, forty years ago. He has now written sixteen books, four of which have won prizes, on subjects ranging from local history, sport, education and biography. Andrew received his doctorate of letters from the University of Melbourne in 2004 because of the excellence of a body of work, not one single piece, as in a thesis. He has been a consistent supporter of our Society and a long term member, who has spoken at a number of our meetings, over many years.1:20:57 duration Digital MP3 File 27.7 MB andrew lemon, audio recording, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage advocacy, meeting, society meeting

.1) Book. Hard cover. Printed images of WWII women in armed forces, nursing & land army. Bottom image is photo of modern females in RAN. Red & blue printing. 108 pages, illustrated photos & maps. .2) DVD - Australian Government Department Veterans Affairs. Changing roles of women, 1899 - today. Images identical to front cover. .3) CD Rom identical cover to .2) above.books reference/military, audio-visual technology - audio/visual accessories, illustrations-prints, military history

Book 1: discovery, exploration, settlement and economic development of Australia; Book 2: biographical details of early emigrants and pioneering familiesCompact disc in plastic case with printed, paper-insert coverFounders of Australia and their descendantsaustralian history, settlers, colonisation, european settlement, family history, pioneers

"Father Julian Tenison Woods met Adam Lindsay Gordon in 1857 on one of his first trips out from Penola riding from station to station across his huge, scattered parish. At that time Gordon was a horse-breaker on a station near Guichen Bay. The two shared a love of poetry and the classics and often rode together reciting to each other. They seemed to find in each other a kindred spirit based on literary enjoyment and entertainment. Woods lent Gordon books from his collection." From this website:https://www.sosj.org.au/jtw-man-of-words-5/ pamela l. walker

Belonged to donor's mother and listened to by donor as a child.Two card board/paper books containing 2 vinyl records of children's songs, games and stories. Gilt coloured writing; front cover decorated with coloured pictures of boy and girl (book 1) and 6 boys and girls holding hands dancing in a ring (Pictures by Maud Trube). Spire if books held together by black eyelets and green cord.Little Tots Records: songs games stories for kiddiesaudio-visual technology, audio - visual accessories, toys, general

Cassette magazine in vinyl cover. Contents includes one magazine, one audio cassette, one crossword, one subscription pamphlet, one pamphlet advertising Minotaur Books, and one pamphlet featuring news, competitions and a poem.ink, paper, plastic, vinyl

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1990, the award was won by Alex Miller for his book 'The Tivington Knot'. Presentations were made by Paul Karsten, Joyce Nichols, Fran Awcock, John Cockayne, Judith Stolls and the recipient Alex Miller. The narrator's award went to Bruce Kerr for audio version. 11 Black and White photographs and 3 proof sheetsawards, braille & talking book library, alex millar, paul karsten, joyce nichols, fran awcock, john cockayne, karl hughes, wilma bedford, bruce kerr, lindsay mcmillan

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: acknowledgement of the work on Thomas Luxton as foundation president, having a stand at the Royal Melbourne Show, acknowledgement of Joan Cunnington for working 50 years as a transcribing and producing the most volumes (789) of any transcriber, display of a thermoform map designed by 2nd year Architecture students of the Melbourne University campus, Sir Paul Hasluck winning the Braille Book of the Year award, first edition of Library Talk audio magazine, congratulations from the Federation of Blind Citizens on providing 2 track cassettes, retirement of Alice McClelland and Geoffrey Wilson, and a delegate attending the Australian and New Zealand Association of Teachers of the Visually Handicapped conference,1 volume of illustrations and textbraille and talking book library, annual reports

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the continuing financial underfunding by government, Paul Carter joined Literary Panel of Joyce Nicholson and Barrett Reid for Braille Book of the Year shortlist, property purchased opposite library was sold as expected monies did not come through, David Scott appointed and later resigned as Treasurer, Mike Janes has taken appointment, Fred Gaze resigned, Peter Corrigan and Ron McCallum have joined the Board, appointment of Robert de Graauw to audio production, continued fundraising by Benalla Auxiliary, removal of wait list time for borrowers, and only 16 people receiving Clarke & Smith books since movement towards cassette.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual report, braille and talking book library

Articles in the annual report include: official opening of a new library building at Enfield, over 1 million items circulated in the library, passing of Sir Robert Drew and Nola Dekyvere, first production of Il Globo and launched by Prime Minister Bob Hawke, launch of Bookline - a telephone ordering service for talking books and winning the first Australian Audio Book Award for Children's Books for The Clinker narrated by Bill Conn. 1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

Male handles Clarke & Smith talking book cartridges, placing one cartridge on a bookcase filled with numbered cartridges, whilst holding another two in his other hand. To the side of him is a cane basket that contains black mailing cases with silver reinforced corners and strapping. These cases were used to send the cartridges out to talking book clients. Behind the man is another bookshelf, with the two bottom shelves containing mailing cases, the next two Clarke & Smith cartridges and possibly Clarke & Smith tapetes and tapete mailing pouches on the top shelf. A metal fan hits on top of the bookcase.Digital image of man with audio book cartridgestalking books, library, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Talking Book Library of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 1984. This service began in 1934 with 78 rpm records. These were later superceded by 33rpm records which remained in use until 1960. The first cassettes were imported from England and weighed 7 lb. along with the player which weighed 28 lb. These 18 track cassettes usually contained one whole book. In the early 1970's a change was made to smaller cassettes containing 12 hours of recorded material on 6 tracks. The latest system currently being introduced is the Library of Congress 4 Track System utilising cassettes which play for 6 hours and machinery which is adaptable to the conventional 2 track system cassette. The Talking Book Library today provides services to 2500 readers as opposed to only 500 in 1964. The service is free of charge to anyone who is visually handicapped and includes talking books, talking book machines, mail service, servicing of machines at regular intervals and any modifications that may be required. Over 1600 cassettes are handled daily. The library currently holds over 3500 individual titles. Catalogues are available in print, audio and braille format. Once selection is made, borrowers may receive at least 3 books at any one time. Other services include current magazines, foreign language books, newspapers and magazines and regional country newspapers. Many books are recorded at the R.V.I.B. by our volunteer readers while others are bought from similar agencies in Australia and overseas. The department of the R.V.I.B. relies almost entirely on voluntary donations from the public. Other services provided by the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Community Resources Section, Aids & Equipment Shop, Tertiary Resource Service, Industrial Department, Retired Personnel Allowance, Children's Services, Social Services, Housing Loans, Vocational Development1 digital image of typewritten pageroyal victorian institute for the blind, talking books

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1992, the award was won by Arnold Zable for his book 'Jewels and Ashes. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to James Wright for the audio version of the same book. Presentations were made by Trevor Hay, James Wright and Arnold Zable. 4 colour photographs, 4 black and white and 1 proof sheet of negativesawards, braille & talking book library, trevor hay, james wright, arnold zable

In 1993, as part of the Melbourne Writer's Festival, a tent was set up so that people could come and listen to readings of books shortlisted for the Braille Book and Audio Narrator of the Year at lunchtime. These images show the audience and some selected presenters including Michael Carman. 8 coloured photographs and 7 strips of negativesawards, braille & talking book library, michael carman, james wright, karl hughes, kris benic, adrian beddows

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1993, the award was won by Ruth Park for her book 'A Fence Around a Cuckoo'. The award was accepted by her literary agent Tim Curnow. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to Irini Pappas for the audio version of 'Put Your Whole Self In', a story about the Northcote Self Group Hydrotherapy and Massage group, by Meme McDonald, which also won 'Audio Book of the Year'. Presentations were made by Arnold Zable, Lorna Hayter, Meme McDonald, James Wright and Jeremy Wurm. 25 colour photographs, 4 black and white, 1 single negative (behind P1540.13) and 7 strips of negativeawards, braille & talking book library, james wright, arnold zable, lorna hayter, meme mcdonald, jeffrey hodgson, paul karo, rose blustein, irini pappas, jeremy wurm, michael carman, eileen larkin, iris wileman, elsie warren, beryl grover, ida dolinko, estelle cother, peggy stenboig, marjorie oke, ada handyside, sheila baldwin, joyce spokes, stanley mcgeagh, maggie millar

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1994, the award was won by (information needed)'. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to Beverley Dunn for the audio version of 'White Eye: a novel', whilst 'Coming of Age' by Anne Deveson won 'Book of the Year'. Presentations were made by Anne Deveson and Beverley Dunn.4 colour photographs of the eventawards, association for the blind, anne deveson

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1995, the award was won by 'Goodbye Girlie' by Patsy Adam Smith. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to Beverley Dunn for the audio version of the same. Presentations were made by Rose Blustein, Patsy Adam Smith and Beverley Dunn at the Malthouse.8 colour photographs of the eventJ614/20 J615/8 J614/6 J615/18 J614/9 J614/5 J615/2 J614/4awards, association for the blind, patsy adam smith, beverley dunn, rose blustein, james condon, rebecca maxwell