Member Detail: Danish National Library for Persons with Print Disabilities

The Danish National Library for the Blind has changed its name to Nota – Danish National Library for Persons with Print Disabilities. The name change indicates that Nota is no longer a library catering exclusively to the visually impaired. Dyslexic people also have access to Nota’s extensive collection of books and magazines in audio and other alternative reading media. This way, everybody with a documented reading handicap can become a member of Nota.

In 2000 DBB (now Nota) undertook a complete shift in technology which has changed the organisation and the way it works considerably. The industry culture of the past has been fundamentally changed into a culture based on knowledge, technology and values.

DBB produces talking books, Braille books and e-books. DBB's talking books present many different genres, narrated unabridged by professional narrators. DBB produces books, magazines, and newspapers as audio books.

In 2000 DBB began production of digital talking books according to the DAISY standard. DBB produces highly structured digital full text talking books which makes it possible for users easily to navigate in the books.

To prepare the digital loan service DBB has launched two different digital talking book clubs with 500 members. Once a month each member receives a newly produced full text DAISY book. The books are either fiction or very complex reference books.

Converting environment

DBB has converted its entire collection of 90.000 master tapes.

The studio for converting analogue talking books to digital DAISY and NISO format is developed by DBB. The environment has proved to be a very cheap and efficient system. Therefore DBB offers to convert talking books for other libraries throughout the world. DBB has already converted the collections of the Swiss Library for the Blind and the Norwegian library for the Blind.

DBB Software

In order to make the production of digital talking books efficient, DBB has developed the STD-editor and STEB-generator. The Structured Text Document Editor (STD) enables DBB and customers worldwide to mark up XML source-files. The Synthetic Talking E-Book generator (STEB) automates the production of audio books with synthetic speech.

Braille Music

DBB's capability of producing Braille music dates back to 1920. DBB finds it of major importance that the knowledge of Braille music is kept alive and supported by the possibility of having new notes produced. Thus DBB offers production of new Braille music and sale or lending from its existing collection.

Contact DBB Marketing for further information and Product sheets.