Vinyl banner used by the Braille & Talking Book Library at various events to advertise their presence.1 white banner with blue writing and tiesBraille & Talking Book Librarybraille & talking book library, advertising

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: inability to merge with RVIB and ratified agreement to merge with Association for the Blind, 21st year of fundraising of the Benalla Auxiliary, low morale and productivity prior to merger, ongoing issue with staff turnover, continued delays with computer system and decision to purchase Urica system, toll free number for borrowers as well as advisory groups introduced to insure Library remains consumer focused, Rose Blustein appointed Chief Librarian, automated circulation system introduced which has decreased backlog in processing mailbags, and the Braille and Talking Book Library ceased trading 4 October 1990 due to the merge.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 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 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

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: Miss Alice McClelland was invited to read the Honour Roll in recognition on her 51 years and 7 months of service with the library, appointment of Joan Simmonds as Chief Librarian, retirement of Ivan Molloy, Mrs Hearn, Peter Sumner and Heather Bedson, the first Braille Book of the Year presented to Keith Dunstan as decided by the literary panel of Barrett Reid, Stephen Murray Smith and Lloyd O'Neill, the revival of the Annual Fair, and the work of the Sixty-Niners, Benalla, Reservoir and Altona auxiliaries.1 volume with text and illustrationsbraille 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: consultants used to streamline structure to reduce costs, take advantage of computer catalogue and resignation of Iris Whittaker and Seija Makinen, legacy from Valmai Jean Grey Bequest, Anne Barca, David Scott and Peter Walsh joined the Board, Braille Book of the Year panel (Joyce Nicholson, Stephen Murray-Smith, Barrett Reid) continue to short list titles for readers to vote on and Australia Council funds production of these titles, increased wait times to 18 months for new borrowers, introduction of computerised Profile matching for readers, full audio rights secured for six titles by LBP Ltd (Louis Braille Productions) and tone indexing introduced on to magazines at beginning of 1988.1 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: embedding the new philosophy 'that all may read', VIP Tours began with tour of library and lunch at 'Onions' restaurant afterwards, increased loans but also a 5 month waiting list for new borrowers, Children's Christmas Party conducted, Barrett Reid, Joyce Nicholson and Dr Stephen Murray-Smith continue to be the literary panel for Braille Book of the Year, Annual Garden Party at Benalla, 63rd work anniversary of Alice McClelland, computerisation of card catalogue has received funds and should be completed by early 1986, and have the added benefit of eliminating wait times for new borrowers, resignation of Clare Lovegrove and Beverley Johnson and appointment of Seija Makinen and Alana McCann, first joint commission of braille books from RIDBC by Library and 8 state organisations, and purchase of an electric conveyor belt to help load the Australia Post truck with the daily 30 bags of mail received and the same outgoing.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: a rocking chair gifted to Alice McClelland on her 60th year of involvement, retirement of Merle Griffin, 'Please Touch' exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria, creation of the Benalla Studio - funded by the Benalla Auxiliary and able to accommodate 3-4 people in a session, Margaret Ingham appointed Children's Book Specialist, renaming of existing studios to R Graeme Orr Studios (to honour former President), Library Talk commended at Public Relations Awards given by Australian Library Promotions Council, thanks for Joyce Nicholson, Barrett Reid and Dr Stephen Murray-Smith as Award Selection Panel for Braille Book of the Year, need for newer building as Commercial Road premises are expensive to heat and light and all available space is occupied, book bounty scheme available for braille and audio books, Louis Braille Productions Ltd set up as a subsidary company, book reading broadcasts by ABC shows will be donated free of charge, inaugural children's catalogue of Braille books produced, resignations of Dr Simon Haskell and David Hume, appointment of Elaine Leahy and Norm Fidge, and death of Maxene Hewitt and establishment of children's book collection known as 'The Maxene Hewett Collection for Children' in her honour.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: naming the computer which will store the book catalogue for the library 'Tilly', RVIB declared a public library and Minister for the Arts has determined for services to rationalise with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman meeting their counterparts with meetings ongoing, first time borrowers asked to nominate their choice of winning title for Braille Book of the Year, with the literary panel of Stephen Murray-Smith, Joyce Nicholson and Barrett Reid making a short list from which borrowers voted, first time presentation held in the afternoon (with increased attendence) and inaugural Narrator's Award (The Bathurst in honour of former President Hector Bathurst) to Eirene Pappas, Hector Bathurst to receive OAM, Jan Smark Nilsson appointed to National Advisory Committee on Library Services to People with Disabilities and Australia Post approval to change cassette mailing pouches.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 structural re-organisation, increased borrowing has required increase in staffing, the entire share portfolio has been sold however 4 staff were retrenched and remaining staff undertook an 8% pay cut for 8% less hours (with many continuing to work the same hours), decision to phase out Clarke & Smith machines in favour of cassettes, due to lower staffing a waiting list for borrowers need to be established with up to an 8 week delay to join, braille interleaved books developed to allow sighted parents of blind children (or vice versa) to enjoy a book together, establishment of LBA allows for segregation of alternative production and sales of book to other organisations, Braille Book of the Year panel of Barrett Reid, Joyce Nicholson and Lloyd O'Neil, opening of Benalla Studio on 7 December 1982, and as library declared a free public library in May 1980, library receives state government funding at 3% of the state budget.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 8% decrease in salaries until December saved $28K, first issue of Brailletter magazine, 6 month delay for new borrowers to receive service, growth in loans and books from Maxene Hewitt Children's Collection, End of Year Party not held due to financial constraints but Children's Christmas party did proceed, Jan Smark invited to overseas workshops, Employment Initiatives funding used for cassette cataloguing and talking book maintenance, resignation of E. Haynes and Hector Bathurst, and appointment of Michael Zifcak and Don Schauder.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: CEP (Community Employment Programs) allowed for duplication of master tapes for storage off-site and development of computer catalogue records, budget estimate requires raising $600,000 in funds which has resulted in 1987 facing serious financial challenges, negotiations with RVIB broken down as print-handicapped philosophy not shared, Braille Book of the Year judges (Joyce Nicholson, Barrett Reid and Stephen Murray-Smith) shortlisted titles for readers to vote upon (John Bryson, Evil Angels) and best narrator (The Bathurst) went to Sean Myers, organisational restructure, resignation of Barbara Johnston and David Blyth, appointment of Jill Keeffe, new borrowers now waiting 11 months to receive first book due to limited staffing levels, bright orange cassette containers introduced (replacing pouches), Otari duplicating system first year in use, 'In Future' and 'Australian Geographic' began, 45 audio magazines including 1 Greek and 3 Italian now circulating, Braille Reading Marathon held, large print collection expanded due to Fitzroy Public Library discarding stock, Versapoint embosser purchased and link with Royal Society for the Blind in South Australia through Braille book catalogue.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 legacy of Mary Daly (consisting of 2 houses), launch on March 5 of LBP LTD by Minister of the Arts Ian Cathie, the death of Stephen Murray-Smith, the revaluation of land and buildings from 1918 value of 18000 pounds to $1,250,000, purchase of small property at 46 Commercial Road (opposite Library) to alleviate over-crowding, Mike Janes joins Board, Referendum materials produced for the AEC, purchase of Versabraille, acquisition of a fax machine, implementation of computer in technical services halted, new shelving purchased for the library, and Clarke & Smith books actively being phased out.1 volume of text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual report

Built in 1918-1919, this distinctly styled building was constructed with the needs of returned blind soldiers in mind by architects Anketell and Henderson. Matting tracks were placed in the single level floor and handrails on the wall to guide users around the building. In 1929, two stained glass windows were constructed and placed in the building to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. (These were removed and transferred to Kooyong when the library moved its operations in 2002.) The building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.1 x col. photograph of red brick octagonal buildingbraille and talking book library, tilly aston

Mary Pauline Daly was a gracious benefactor of the Braille and Talking Book Library. Born in Chewton to Ellen Horan and Denis Daly, she passed away in Parkville and this photograph of her is in recognition for her generous gift to the library.Miss Mary Daly 1894-1987 who bequeathed her entire estate to Braille & Talking Book Librarybraille and talking book library, mary daly

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

This award was presented at an award night hosted by the Braille and Talking Book Library to Richard Flanagan for "Death of a River Guide". As Richard Flanagan did not receive his award on the night the Braille and Talking Book Library kept it for him, however it was not collected. To encourage the development of audio books, a series of awards were established by the National Library of Australia in 1988, and sponsored by TDK from 1991 until their demise in 2000. Open to both commercial and non-commercial publishers, it aimed to recognise the quality achievements by individuals and publishing houses and to promote the inclusion of audio books into the mainstream market.Braille and Talking Book Library Tilly Aston 1873 - 1947 ... that all may read Benalla Award Audio Book of the Year 1996 Presented to Richard Flanagan for "Death of a River Guide"awards, audio books

The award reads as follows: Australian Institute of Management 38th Annual Report Award presented to Braille and Talking Book Library Bronze Award for Distinguished Achievement in Annual Reporting, May 1988 (Signed by) Chairman of Annual Report Award Committee (and) Chief Executive of Institute New South Wales Limited Digital image of rectangular wood block with paper certificate laminated to front:Australian Institute of Management 38th Annual Report Award presented to Braille and Talking Book Library Bronze Award for Distinguished Achievement in Annual Reporting, May 1988 (Signed by) Chairman of Annual Report Award Committee (and) Chief Executive of Institute New South Wales Limitedbraille and talking book library, awards

See Album #66 for hard copy of first image Interior of Braille and Talking Book Library in Commercial Road, Prahran.3 col.digital images

In 1990, the Braille Library and Talking Book Library merged with the Association for the Blind, to ensure library services were maintained in Victoria. This plaque recognises the assistance provided to the new entity by the Port Phillip Rotarians.1 digital image of plaque with inscriptionRotary International (symbol) The Talking Book Library greatly appreciates the support received from the Rotary Club of Port Phillip - Melbourne March 1991association for the blind, 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: a picture of the 'The Greatest Thing in the World' - the oldest Braille book in the library, acknowledgement of the work of May Harrison, Joyce Cunnington, Joan Armytage, involvement in the Library Promotion Committee of Victoria to increase visibility, and receipt of Hear A Book's from Tasmania.1 volume with text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual reports

In 1965 the Clarke & Smith Talking Book Cassette Cartridge made it's debut at the Olympia Show. Popularly known as a 'tapete', it weighed considerably less than the earlier book cassette cartridges and allowed for up to 6 tracks (13 hours recording time) to be played.Clarke and Smith talking book cassette cartridge player consisting of plastic rectangular case with buttons for navigational controls, light green front and top of machine and darker green on sides, power cord and 5 buttons. Also includes tapete "Words for murder perhaps" by Edward Candy and ready by Stanley Pritchard.Clarke & Smith Track change Play -- Off Volume Phones This equipment remains the property of the Braille & Talking Book Library, 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra, 3141. Phone: (03) 267 6022 Dyna Tape labels: J21075 Play Rewindaudio equipment, braille & talking book library

The American Foundation for the Blind developed this new model in their experimental shop in 1932 and contracted with the typewriter manufacturer to produce the machines and continued production until 1947. It's sleek silver look was a change of look from the previously manufactured Hall Braille Writer, and improvements included a carriage return, the ability to add spaces between lines and a back space key. It was found in the Braille and Talking Book Library in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia and was used by either staff or volunteers at Vision Australia Library.Stainless steel braille writer in the shape of a typewriter. The braille writer consists of a heavy moulded machine with 6 black plastic keys.On front of writer: "American Foundation for the Blind Inc. New York." "Manufactured for the Foundation by L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc." On back: "Licenced by Underwood Elliot Fisher company/ Serial no. 5-2422.braille equipment

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: Matcham Skipper sculpture awarded to Book of the Year, the work undertaken by Lions Clubs in raising funds for the library, the 150th anniversary of Louis Braille, working closer with public libraries, distribution of the Fraser Twins Sound Magazine and the generous donation by Mr and Mrs Frank Currie who gave $104 as part of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.1 volume with text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual reports

To identify AFB staff members, a name badge was struck.. Names were printed in black on a silver background, with the logo of the Association for the Blind - in black - to the left of the logo and above the staff members name. The words 'Association for the Blind' sit to the right of the symbol, whilst 'Braille & Talking Book LIbrary' is located beneath the wearer's name. This badge was donated by Rose Blustein. 1 plastic name badge with AFB logoassociation for the blind, badges

The original Hall Braille writer was modelled on the typewriter and was the first successful mechanical point writer. Frank Haven Hall, Superintendent of the Illinois Institution for the Blind, introduced his invention to the public on 27 May, 1892 at Jacksonville, Illinois. It was manufactured by Harrison and Seifried, Chicago, ca 1892. The carriage moves one space to the left as the keys are released. The styli in the embossing heads are controlled by the keys as are the bars on a typewriter. The styli operate from the back so that letters appear in the normal position for reading. Braille writers enable all dots in a Braille cell to be created simultaneously. This model was found in the Braille and Talking Book Library in South Yarra prior to the staff departure in 2000. Presumably used by either staff or volunteers at the library.Braille writer with a key board like a piano with black wooden keys on an ivory board. The body is made from heavy cast iron with a black lacquer.Painted in gold on top of the machine: "The Hall Braille Writer / patent pendingbraille equipment

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 expansion of the library to new readers gained from Hear A Book and the range of books available on commercially produced cassettes, the decreased loans for Large print as other public libraries offer these for loan, the continued support for selecting the Braille Book of the Year by the committee of Barrett Reid, Dr Stephen Murray Smith and Joyce Nicholson, appointment of Maxene Hewitt, Ray Hannah and Jan Smark, and retirement of Joan Simmonds.1 volume of print and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual reports