SBS Swiss library for the blind, visually impaired and print disabled
The SBS Swiss Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Print Disabled is a special library based in Zurich . It enables blind, visually and print impaired people to have access to books and teaching materials. The media package includes audio books , books and music in Braille (Braille), large print books, e-books, audio films, tactile games and magazines.
The library has its own production facility. The SBS is the only organization in German-speaking countries that transmits media in four accessible formats - audio books, braille, large print, e-books. In addition to books for the range, the SBS also produces tailor-made accessible media, for example teaching aids, professional documents and other printed matter such as flyers, annual reports and voting documents.
SBS also owns Etoile Sonore, located in Collombey (VS), which produces and lends accessible audio books in French.
The facility is a non-profit organization and around 50 percent is publicly funded. The other half is financed by donations, public and private contracts and other services. The SBS carries the Zewo seal of approval, which distinguishes non-profit organizations for the conscientious handling of donations.
range
The SBS offers media for adults, young people and children. The thematic variety ranges from novels to guidebooks to cookbooks. The range is continuously expanded. Some of the media are also available to customers for sale in addition to borrowing.
Audio books
Most of the audio books are read in directly in the SBS recording studios by trained speakers. All audiobooks use the navigable DAISY format.
Braille books
The SBS has a large number of books in Braille. Titles are available in short and full type. The heading “Print & Braille” also includes books whose text is completely in Braille and black letters so that visually impaired and sighted people can read them together. This also includes touch picture books for toddlers.
Large print books
Large print books produced by SBS in the loan range are available in Tiresias font in 17 point font size. This font was specially developed for older readers with age-related visual impairments.
E-books
All e-books use the navigable DAISY format. This allows you to adjust the font and contrast, navigate to chapters, set bookmarks and read out the text with voice output.
Other media
The range also includes audio magazines, audio films, games, puzzles, Braille sheet music and voting documents.
Registration and loan
The offer is only available to blind , visually impaired and print disabled people or to institutions that support them.
The SBS is a pure mailing library. Customers receive their books in the mail or online.
Bookcracker
Buchknacker is an offer from SBS especially for children and adolescents with dyslexia / dyslexia , AD (H) D or another reading disability. On the online platform of the same name, audio books and e-books are available for downloading or listening to online.
Orders and production
In addition to the production of the book range for the library, SBS offers the transfer of teaching materials and professional documents as well as the production of customer-specific and barrier-free communication media (e.g. annual reports, brochures, business cards).
history
The history of SBS has been shaped by innovations. Over the years, various organizations have entrusted their works to SBS. The most important milestones were:
- 1903: Foundation of the “Swiss Lending Library for the Blind” by Dr. hc Theodor Staub (1864–1960)
- 1950: Conrad Helbling founded the «library for the blind in sound recordings»
- 1975: Merger to form the "Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired"
- 1977: Pioneer for sheet music in Braille
- 1979: First transfers of teaching materials
- 1980: The tape magazine studio opens
- 1983: Expansion of the large print books with the Pro Senectute collection and development of the toy library
- 2004: Audiobooks in navigable, accessible DAISY format
- 2010: The SBS opens up to people with print disabilities
- 2013: Start of the online library
- 2013: New offer for people with dyslexia / dyslexia : book crackers
- 2015: The SBS becomes the Swiss umbrella organization for libraries for the blind in Switzerland
- 2015: The National Library gives the SBS its braille
- 2017: Bookcracker opens up to people with AD (H) D
- 2019: The Swiss Caritas Action (CAB) hands over its two libraries for the blind to the SBS
Partnerships
The SBS is networked nationally and internationally.
The SBS is the umbrella organization of the following libraries for the blind in Switzerland:
- Biblioteca Braille e del libro parlato
- Bibliothèque Braille Romande et Livre Parlé
- Bibliothèque Sonore Romande
Web links
- SBS Swiss library for the blind, visually impaired and print disabled
- Etoile Sonore - Sonothèque
- SBS online library
- Bookcracker
Individual evidence
- ↑ Seven NPOs now receive the Zewo seal of approval - Congratulations! In: zewo.ch. January 15, 2019, accessed February 6, 2019 .
Coordinates: 47 ° 21 '43.2 " N , 8 ° 30' 59.2" E ; CH1903: 681419 / 246244