The West German Audio Book Library for the Blind (German: Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei e. V.), abbreviated WBH, is a specialist library which produces and distributes audiobooks and periodicals for blind and partially sighted persons. It is the largest library of its kind in the German speaking world.[1][2] The WBH supplies a nationwide network of libraries for the visually impaired, primarily in the western German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland, but also to other states and abroad.[3]
West German Audio Book Library for the Blind Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei (WBH)
The WBH was founded in 1955 at the Public Library of Münster, Germany. Actors from the municipal theater recorded the first audio books in an improvised studio lined with egg cartons. Because trams rattled past during the day, these first productions took place at night.[1] Later, texts were recorded by trained speakers, processed by the library, then distributed to users by mail. Until the 1970s recordings were on tape reels, then later compact tape cassettes.[4] Since 2004, the offerings have been recorded in the DAISY Digital Talking BookMP3 standard, which allows visually impaired users to both listen and navigate written material. In 2009 the library's collection became exclusively digital as cassette tapes were no longer made available.[3]
Today about 24,500 titles from the classics, mystery, biographies, nonfiction, plays and popular novels are available to users.[2] Thirty professional freelance speakers record 350 new titles annually in the library's own studio, which are then digitally mastered and cataloged. The WBH is legally permitted to record any book published in Germany for free,[1] including such popular titles as Harry Potter.[2] The library loans audio books on CD at no charge, while audio magazines and newspapers are made available on a subscription basis. Proof of visual impairment is required to access the library's services. In many places in Germany the local blind association helps users register.[5]
^ abcdeSabine Tenta: The Audible Gate to the World: The West German Audio Book Library for the Blind (Goethe-Institut, 2009) online (in English) retrieved 26-May-2012
^ abcWest Deutsches Rundfunk: Vor 50 Jahren: Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei in Münster eröffnet 9 November 2005 online (in German) retrieved 26-May-2012
^ abAbout the WBH at the official website of the Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei (in German) retrieved 26-May-2012
^Siegfried Volkert und François Van Menxel (eds.): Lesen fürs Hören in Münster: 50 Jahre Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei e.V. 1955 – 2005. (Münster: Westdeutsche Blindenhörbücherei, 2005)
^WBH Application (in German) retrieved 26-May-2012
west, german, audio, book, library, blind, redirects, here, other, uses, disambiguation, german, westdeutsche, blindenhörbücherei, abbreviated, specialist, library, which, produces, distributes, audiobooks, periodicals, blind, partially, sighted, persons, larg. WBH redirects here For other uses see WBH disambiguation The West German Audio Book Library for the Blind German Westdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei e V abbreviated WBH is a specialist library which produces and distributes audiobooks and periodicals for blind and partially sighted persons It is the largest library of its kind in the German speaking world 1 2 The WBH supplies a nationwide network of libraries for the visually impaired primarily in the western German states of North Rhine Westphalia Rhineland Palatinate and the Saarland but also to other states and abroad 3 West German Audio Book Library for the BlindWestdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei WBH LocationMunster Germany GermanyEstablished1955CollectionSize24 500 1 Access and useAccess requirementsCertification of visual impairmentCirculation240 000 1 Other informationDirectorSiegfried VolkertEmployees17Websitewww wbr wbh online wbr de The WBH was founded in 1955 at the Public Library of Munster Germany Actors from the municipal theater recorded the first audio books in an improvised studio lined with egg cartons Because trams rattled past during the day these first productions took place at night 1 Later texts were recorded by trained speakers processed by the library then distributed to users by mail Until the 1970s recordings were on tape reels then later compact tape cassettes 4 Since 2004 the offerings have been recorded in the DAISY Digital Talking Book MP3 standard which allows visually impaired users to both listen and navigate written material In 2009 the library s collection became exclusively digital as cassette tapes were no longer made available 3 Today about 24 500 titles from the classics mystery biographies nonfiction plays and popular novels are available to users 2 Thirty professional freelance speakers record 350 new titles annually in the library s own studio which are then digitally mastered and cataloged The WBH is legally permitted to record any book published in Germany for free 1 including such popular titles as Harry Potter 2 The library loans audio books on CD at no charge while audio magazines and newspapers are made available on a subscription basis Proof of visual impairment is required to access the library s services In many places in Germany the local blind association helps users register 5 See also editDigital accessible information system technical standard for audiobooks etc German Central Library for the Blind List of libraries in GermanyReferences edit a b c d e Sabine Tenta The Audible Gate to the World The West German Audio Book Library for the Blind Goethe Institut 2009 online in English retrieved 26 May 2012 a b c West Deutsches Rundfunk Vor 50 Jahren Westdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei in Munster eroffnet 9 November 2005 online in German retrieved 26 May 2012 a b About the WBH at the official website of the Westdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei in German retrieved 26 May 2012 Siegfried Volkert und Francois Van Menxel eds Lesen furs Horen in Munster 50 Jahre Westdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei e V 1955 2005 Munster Westdeutsche Blindenhorbucherei 2005 WBH Application in German retrieved 26 May 2012External links editOfficial website of the WBH in German DAISY Consortium 51 55 26 00 N 7 33 43 50 E 51 9238889 N 7 5620833 E 51 9238889 7 5620833 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title West German Audio Book Library for the Blind amp oldid 1094481370, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
