The Arnold Cook Braille and Talking Book Library
Much of everyday communication between people is carried out through the printed word: letters, reports, newspapers, professional magazines, notices, accounts, telephone directories, the list of things we need to read is endless.
The Braille and Talking Book Library offers people who are blind or vision impaired or have other print disabilities access to print in an alternative format.
A range of fiction, non-fiction and junior titles is available. We can directly lend talking books and arrange a braille loan service.
Braille
Braille is a raised dot writing system, giving the reader access to written material through touch.
Brailled text, on clear adhesive tape, can be produced for children’s picture books. This enables a blind parent to read to a sighted child.
Talking Books
The cassette book collection is available to people with print disabilities. Material is read onto cassette to be played at home on an ordinary cassette player. Many of the titles in our stock are produced on our premises.
Request Service
Material will be brailled or narrated onto cassette on request. Examples include books, exam papers, timetables, recipes, letters, manuals (for example home appliances or computers), greeting cards, maps, knitting patterns, documents, menus. The list is endless.
Resource Library
Anyone may browse our collection of books and journals on vision impairment. Items may only be borrowed via inter-library loan.
Computer Disks
Items can be produced in braille from your computer disk. Documents can be provided on disk for you to access from your own computer.
How to Borrow
There is no charge for membership or use of the library. Items are sent to the borrowers and returned to the library by freepost.
How to Join
Ring the Association for the Blind on (08) 9311 8202. People calling from outside the Perth metropolitan area can dial freecall 1800 658 388. If you would like to visit us in person, the library is located at 45 Duncan Street in Victoria Park, Perth. If you would like direct contact details for a member of the Library staff, follow the link below to phone, fax and e-mail listings for the Braille and Talking Book Library:
Link to Braille and Talking Book Library staff contact details
Link to New Audio Book Titles Available from the Library