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 These were later superceded by 33rpm records which remained in use until 1960.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

Talking Book Machines were used by clients for audio books sent out by libraries for the blind and visually impaired. In this undated photograph, the machine appears to be either a cassette or cartridge player, and the top and cardigan worn by the lady, indicates that this image may have be taken in the 1980-1990s. Talking Book Machines had more features than a regular cassette player, combined with the various speeds used and tone indexing, allowed readers to skip through the book or slow it down.audio equipment, talking books, royal victorian institute for the blind

A cream paperback reader or textbook with black and red lettering on the front cover at the top for the title, Whitcombe's Vivid History Reader Grade V. A red, black and white illustration in a square, shows a soldier from ancient times peering through bushes at enemy soldiers around a campfire. Throughout are black and white maps, diagrams, photographs and illustrations. Inside the front and back covers are further Whitcombe and Tombs titles as well as on the outside of the back cover. Pp. 208.non-fictionA Vivid History Reader for Grade V - The British People in the Making, was specially written to meet the requirements of the Social Studies (History) Course in Victorian Elementary Schools. It is a series of vivid and realistic history readers attractively produced and illustrated for the enjoyment of girls and boys in their approach to history of their own land and of the wonderful countries overseas. children's books, handbooks, textbooks, history books

Clothbound, beige cover, stained. 179 pp. Fair condition.fictionSchool Reader, short stories & poetry. One of a series of eight readers produced 1927-30 for school children in Victoria. Used (with revisions and contents changes) until the 1950's.reading, spelling, children, knight, textbook

Red cloth-bound, mildew staining and fading on front & rear covers. Binding largely intact but is separating at title page. Staining & discolouration on end papers. Back endpaper torn at corner. 242pp. Fair - good condition.fictionSchool reading book, Form 1 levelreading, text, children

Blue cloth-bound cover stained & faded. Minor wear to extremities. Pages yellowed.244pp. Good condition.fictionSixth of a series of eight readers produced 1927-30 for school children in Victoria and used (with revisions & content changes) until the 1950'sreading, children, textbook, knight

Blue cloth-bound cover, faded, staining, worn at extremities. Pages discoloured, dislocation of rear hinge. 215pp. Poor condition.fictionVictorian school reader, Fifth Book.reading, textbook, children

A grey paperback textbook, Whitcombe's New federal Mathematics Grade VIII printed in black lettering at the top of the front cover with a scroll surrounding it. Specially written to meet the requirements of the Revised Course of Study in Victorian Schools is written below in a box with the publisher Whitcombe and Tombs Limited with the cities listed below. 1/9 price is in the bottom right hand corner. Inside the front cover is an advertisement for the New Federal Arithmetics in seven books, The inside back cover has Whitcombe's Vivid History Readers listed and on the ouside, Whitcombe's Human Geography Readers. Lance Sebire Wandin Yallock State School 1033 Mont De Lancey is written in blue ink on the front and in grey pencil on the title page. At the back on the inside cover at the right top is written in blue ink - How I spent my holidays. Exrecises, diagrams Equations and other Mathematical studies is seen throughout. Foxing, stains, dog eared pages and ink is seen on various pages. 176p.non-fictionA non fiction textbook about Mathematics specially written to meet the requirements of the Revised Victorian Course of Study in Elementary Schools.mathematics, victorian school curriculum

A badly damaged grey softcover textbook with the title, Whitcombe's New Federal Arithmetic Grade VI printed on a black lined scroll design with Specially written to meet the requirements of the Revised Victorian Course of Study in Elementary School in a box at the bottom along with the publisher symbol. Whitcombe & Tombs Limited Melbourne & Sydney and other cities is printed beneath. The price 1/3 is written in the right hand bottom corner. Inside are exercises, short problems, diagrams and lists of examples of work set out for the students. There are pencil and ink markings inside. On the back inside and outside the cover are advertisements for Whitcombe's Vivid History and Geography Readers. 132p. non-fictionAn arithmetic book for Grade VI elementary students with exercises, problems, diagrams and revision for young students in Australia.arithmetic, school curriculum, australian schools

Mary Halls "Minnie" Crabb (1885-1974) was the niece of the first librarian (May Harrison) for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. After her aunt's death in 1912, Miss Crabb took on the role of librarian for the constantly expanding collection. 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 Crabb and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, it provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers. The daughter of James Hall Crabb, who ran the Prahran Telegraph from1882 until his death and the niece of J.M. Yelland who took over the paper until he sold it in 1895, Minnie would have seen printing presses in her youth and recognised the usefulness when producing large numbers of ephemeral materials. In March 1944, Miss Crabb retired from the library, in 1956 she married Charles Foster and she lived until in the St Kilda area until her passing in 1974, aged 89. This iconic image of Miss Crabb using the press has appeared in many reports since.High quality image of Minnie Crabbvictorian association of braille writers, minnie crabb

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

An older girl sits on a garden bench surrounded by younger girls, as she reads from a Braille book. Believed to be Tilly Aston, this image demonstrates the power of story, regardless of it's medium, as well as the work of the RVIB School in educating children, and was often reproduced.High quality image of Braille reader in gardenroyal victorian institute for the blind, tilly aston

A small grey paperback reader or textbook with black lettering on the front cover at the top for the title Whitcombe's Human Geography Reader Grade VIII. A cost of 1/9 is printed in the lower right hand corner. A black and white illustration inside a square shape is of a city near a river and wharf activities. Throughout are black and white charts, maps, diagrams, photographs and illustrations. Inside the front and back covers are further Whitcombe and Tombs titles as well as on the outside of the back cover. Blue ink writing on the front of Lance Sebire. Some ink stains inside with a damaged worn cover and stains. 208p.non-fictionA Human Geography Reader for Grade VIII. Regional Geography of Asia and Australasia specially written to meet the requirements of the Social Studies (Geography) Course of Study in Victorian Schools. It stresses the necessity to win the interest of pupils and the important part geography has played in the history of the world. There is an emphasis on the regional study of Australasia.children's books, handbooks, textbooks, geography

Sephia-toned photograph of May D. Harrison from the shoulders upwards. Nameplate at base of photograph reads 'May D. Harrison / First / Hon. Secretary & Librarian / 1894-1912'. Mrs Harrison looks to the right of the frame, and is wearing a dress with gathered bodice, puffed sleeves and lace neckline. Her small drop earrings are visible, as her hair is swept up, with two brooches on the bodice and neckline. A length of chain is worn around her neck, although its base remains out of shot. May Harrison was one of the first Braille transcribers trained by Tilly Aston and undertook the position of Honorary Secretary at the formation of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers (VABW) in 1894. Offering use of a room in her home in St Kilda for the storage of Braille books, she became the first librarian for the VABW. Mrs Harrison also taught Braille to other participants and her house became a meeting point for readers and transcribers alike. Her death in 1912 was greatly mourned, and a Memorial Fund set up in her honour, as well as a grave marker and tablet at the Braille library. Her niece Minnie Crabb, who assisted her work, assumed the role of librarian after Mrs Harrison's death. Inscribed in the lower right 'J O'S & Co, Melbourne'.Photograph in frame of woman in 19th century dressvictorian association of braille writers, may harrison

The Victorian Reading Book, Class 11, one shilling. Fawn coloured linen binding, reinforced brown binding on back spine. Inscription in front of Reader. S.S. 1271 Talbotville.S.S. 1271 Talbotvillebooks, school/educational

Book used in Primary schools for readingHard cardboard and linen green coloured cover with black printing. 216 pages.school reader, primary school readers, victorian school readers

Booklet: Grey cover 80 page illustrated booklet, in 2 parts, titled 'First Book'. Issued by the Victorian Education Dept. A school reader to help pupils read and understand sounds. Handwritten in red pencil on front cover 'J.Mane' (?). Price 4d crossed out and 2d written above it. Printed by H.J.Green, Governmetnt PrinterVictorian Education Dept.government, state, education, victorian education dept., school reader, j.mane

"Specially written to meet the requirements of the social studies (Geography) course in Victorian elementary schools."Paperback book with light cardboard cover.whitcombe's human geography reader grade v