An honour board recording winners of the Louise Long Braille Award. From 1985, the decision was made to expand the beginner Braille book collection in lieu of an award.Wooden frame with felt inlay and plastic letteringThe Louise Long Braille Award 1978 John Blackett 1979 Mrs Imelda James 1980 Eduardo Gonzalez 1981 Mrs Heather Spooner 1982 Roy Corey 1983 To Train 1984 Kathie Newhouse This award is now used to build a collection of books for new Braille readersroyal blind society of new south wales, awards

Braille Scrabble was first produced in 1954, not long after the game was 'discovered' and popularised by Macys department store in the U.S. Braille letters and numbers are located on the left-hand side of the tile, with the large print letter in the middle. Scoring was kept through the use of metal pins which could be placed into slots located behind racks that hold each player's tiles. According to the printed booklet that forms part of the set, the Scrabble board had moulded ridges to hold the tiles and had a turning device that allowed the board to rotate easily between players. Cylindrical container containing 101 braille letters with 4 black plastic trays, box containing 16 metal pins and 11 page booklet. recreation equipment, games

A 52 playing card set (plus two jokers) with Braille designed by the leading firm of playing card manufacturers in England during this period - Thomas de la Rue & Company. Playing cards with red, black and white design with braille embossing at top left-hand and bottom right-hand corners in (red or blue) metal hinged box. recreation equipment, games

Article showing sighted staff members Esther Lalor and Alex Capporilli wearing blindfolds and goggles during their Braille lesson with Neil Maxwell.1 page with black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, esther lalor, alex capporilli, braille

A metal circle fob watch with cover. Raised dots and columns and clock hands indicate time. Manufacturer of watch is marked inside other cover of watch with a number 541927. Belonged to David Williams, born 1850's, and item was passed down through the family. Back of watch also opens to reveal a secondary compartment. Metal clock with Braille numbersassistive devices, david williams

Edward Pyke and Jean Maurice Glauser invented this machine with the intention of enabling the easy and quiet production of Interpoint Braille. Although widely agreed to be one of the best Braille machines of its time, production of the machines was stopped during the Second World War because of rationing and high material costs. The machine has a keyboard arrangement at one end, the other end folds out to form a platform which is held up by a metal strut with rubber capping. An upward writing model, the paper feeds from the rear and passes under the space bar. The machine has no paper feed rollers. The only movement is that of the carriage that moves from left to right.Painted metal machine with metal keys that move a carriage across inserted sheets of paperRoyal National Institute for the Blind 228 Great Portland St London W1 Pyke-Glauser Braille Writer PG 48braille equipment, royal national institute for the blind

A golden, red and white clock in the shape of a circle. Raised dots indicate time blocks. There is a golden stage attached to the clock. On the face of the clock, the make of clock is unclear, at the bottom of the face of the clock are the words 'alarm 8 days'.Metal clock with Braille and printed numbersassistive devices, swiss

To recognise the achievements of those who undertook and completed a transcription course, this certificate was awarded to "a duly qualified Braille writer and competent to transcribe Books for the Blind", by the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution. These volunteers were involved in the expansion of the library as they created Braille from the print version of texts. 20/10/1917 - Elizabeth Harris. Signed by the President Thomas Anderson Stuart illegible date (1921-1932) - Mollie Turner. Signed by the President Sir Alfred Meeks.Cream page attached to cardboard with col. illustrationsFrame with garden decorations around writing, and a white flower/waratah/blue bird/Braille board sits amongst wattle in various corners. A B/W image of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute building in William Street sits above the main text, whilst two women reading or using Braille and a building labelled 'Library for the Blind' sit to the left and right of the frame.sydney industrial blind institution, mollie turner, elizabeth harris

Silver wristwatch with inscribed cover and Braille watch face.Silver wristwatch with Braille numbers"CYMA" on watch face "The Fred Sutcliffe Watch 24-2-60" on watch coverassistive devices, braille, fred sutcliffe

A portable note taker that allow the operator to input either Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille and have the information read back to you. It holds up to 640K of RAM or 600 Braille pages.Cardboard box containing a cream coloured plastic rectangle device with 7 black keys, 1 carry bag, 1 adapter, 1 computer cable, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Blaze demo programs disk, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Resource disk, 2 cassette tapes "Braille'n'Speak manual" by Olga Espinola, 1 print book "Quick Reference: Braille'n'Speak command list", 2 Braille books "Braille'n'Speak Quick Reference" and "A user's guide to Braille'n'Speak" both by Olga Espinola.braille equipment, assistive devices

This timepiece uses raised dots to indicate the position of the numbers, which the wearer could then use to orient themselves and tell the time from the metal hands. The 12 position is indicated by three dots, with the 3,6,9 positions by two dots. The user would start with a finger at the centre of the face and work outwards to the end of each hand to determine position and hence be able to figure out the time. Since the watch is designed and made for touching, the metal hands are particularly robust.Silver fob watch with raised dots to indicate number position. assistive devices, braille

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their Shorthand Braille Writer, circa 1910-1940. Used at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. These machines were often supplied with a case, to deaden the sound when in use. The machine was designed to take down verbatim reports from dictation. As the strip of paper passes automatically through the machine, no time is needed to adjust the paper or the machine for each line. Speeds of 80 - 140 words per minute can be obtained.Contained in a dark blue case which folds down to reveal the keys, this portable Braille writer has six flat keys in front and a space key, attached to a marking device at the back. A roll of thin white paper is mounted on an attachment to the side of the machine, and the paper is threaded along a channel at the top of the machine and comes out the other side in a continuous roll. A red round rubber guard is just behind the keys. Royal National Institute for the Blind label attached.braille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Four girls surround an older girl, who is reading Braille on a park bench. Believed to be Tilly Aston, the older girl has her hair in plaits and appears to be concentrated on the Braille pages in front of her. At the end of the park bench rests a man's hat and another book of Braille. This image has been reproduced widely and in a variety of black and white or sepia tones. Possibly a publicity image used by the RVIB. On one copy, there is a note that image was made around 1918, based upon clothing, which would rule out Tilly Aston who would have been in her late 40s around then.B/W photograph of girl sitting on park bench reading Braille surrounded by four other girlstilly aston, royal victorian institute for the blind, braille

This letter outfit (RNIB catalogue no. 9096) is primarily intended for teaching blind and partially sighted children the rudiments of spelling and word building.There are 60 letter squares in the set, and on each of these appears a printed letter, both capitals and lower case, the capital being at the top with the braille equivalent in the middle of the tile. The letters can be joined together by pressing the projecting tab on one square into the slot on the right hand side of another. The blue plastic base board is divided into 5 rows and can be used to store words created. 60 plastic tiles with braille and large print in maroon box with pink lideducation aids and devices, braille

Commemorative plaque for opening of the Talking Book Library in 1992. The Talking Book Library was officially opened on November 12 1992 by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria the Honourable Richard E. McGarvie (followed by brailled version of above)Metal plate with raised black lettering and brailleThe Talking Book Library was officially opened on November 12 1992 by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria the Honourable Richard E. McGarvie (followed by brailled version of above)braille and talking book library, nameplates, richard mcgarvie

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 include the production of Christmas cards for purchase, a visit by the Chief Secretary Hon. A. Rylah who advised that the Free Library Scheme was for municipal councils and that instead a State Library Council (which was being formed) would be a better source of relief, offers of help to contact potential overseas suppliers for electronic and braille equipment, the organisation of the Reservoir auxiliary, establishment of a Machines Committee to look at mechanized forms of Braille production and the possibility of entering into talking book production, improvements to heating, cooking and lighting, needing to use discretion when hiring hall due to an unfortunate incident, donations of Perkins Braillers, brailling of Decimal conversion charts, agreement in prinicipal to a National Braille Reference Library in Canberra, and purchase of Perkins and Stainsby Braillers to improve output of Braille books.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

An honour board listing the current and past presidents of the Braille Library of Victoria, formerly known as the Victorian Association of Braille Writers.Wooden board with gold letteringPresident J.H. Cockayne Past Presidents Thomas Luxton 1895-1900 Sir Malcolm Mc Eachern M.H.R. 1901 Hon. Thomas Luxton M.L.C. 1902-1910 Cr. J.G. Davey, Lord Mayor 1911-1912 Cr. A.J. Weller, JP 1913-1919 W.H. Mac Lennan 1920-1921 F.E. Pettifer, JP 1922-1928 Malcolm M. Brodie 1929-1946 A. Harold Gaze, C.B.E. 1946-1953 A. Lawrence Keep 1954-1963 Dr. R Graeme Orr 1963-1970 F.H. Bathurst 1970-1984 victorian association of braille writers, braille library of victoria

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Braille Writers were attached to the board.1 wooden back board with metal hand frame and stylus156 carved into wooden framebraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

In 1934, the Victorian Association of Braille Writers annual report advised that it had acquired a Crabb-Hulme Braille Printing Press. Two years in development, the Press was designed by Miss Minnie Crabb (the librarian) and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, and provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers.Steel and cast iron printing press with two wheels on left hand side and two foot levers to operate a wheel on the right hand side.victorian association of braille writers, braille equipment, minnie crabb

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. Sometimes the board was labelled with organisational labels. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers was attached, which included the costs of being a transcribing member and the length of the loan period. It is signed by Millicent Ritchie (Hon. Secretary) and Minnie H Crabb (Asst Sec and Librarian) at the base of the sheet.Brown rectangular wooden board with hinged paper clamp and metal hinged guideFree Lending Library for the Blind label is attached to boardbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

White plastic clock with attached power cord. On the face of the clock the numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12 are raised and braille dots mark the numbers in between. There are three clock handles with braille on two of the handles. On the back of the clock the alarm and time functions have raised diagrams to assist the user.White plastic clock with 2 black plastic and 1 white plastic handsMetamecassistive devices, metamec

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 name change from the Braille Library of Victoria, the passing of Neil Westh and Mary Mitchell, the retirement of Miss Anderson and funds raised by the Sixty Niners, Reservoir and Altona auxiliaries.corporation records, braille and talking book library

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: celebration of Alice McClelland's 88th birthday (and 58th year at the library), the first time a book of poetry has won the Braille Book of the Year award, movement of 30,000 Braille volumes into Braille Hall due to the need to expand the audio collection, increased government funding as restrictions on lending to visually impaired are extending to those with physical or perceptive inabilities to read standard print, report identifying the need for more audio production facilities and possibility of establishing more studios in Geelong, retirement of E. Webb, C. Griffin, Elizabeth Fraser, Ray Hannah, Dudley Sherlock and appointment of Norma Brumley, David Hume, Dr Simon Haskell and David Blyth.1 volume of text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual report

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 launch of 'In charge of the mess' cookbook with the Gas & Fuel Corporation of Victoria, fundraising cocktail party at 'Onions' restaurant (opposite the Library), Life Governor's Certificate to Edward Webb, production of Braille VFL and Cricket fixtures, subsidy of 33.33% on production of Braille and audio books, doubling of qualified librarians, continued increase in loans, retirement of staff members Elsa Wiltshire and Charlotte Riley, and committee members Norma Brumley and Dr John Foster, and appointment of Barbara Johnson and John Cockayne.1 volume of text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual report

This wooden frame was used to bind braille books, which would be placed on the based and strapped down to apply the binding. Wooden triangular stand with three red leather hooks across bar at top of standWar Voluntary Aid Societyassociation for the blind, braille equipment

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

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

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. However sometimes mistakes were made and rather than re-emboss the whole page, a Braille eraser was sometimes used by flattening out indentation on card, one dot at a time.1 wooden piece with blunted tipbraille equipment, association for the blind