Resources for public libraries

What is the Vision Australia Library?

Key details:

• Free national library for Australians who are unable to read standard print
• Collection of >70000 titles in audio and Braille, including >45000 audiobooks
• Broad range of books, newspapers, magazines, podcasts and sports fixtures
• Transcribe up to 360 pages of submitted material into audio, Braille or large print per year, for free

Who can join the Vision Australia Library and how?

Key details:

• Any Australian who is unable to read standard print can join the Vision Australia Library
• May be due to blindness/low vision, a learning disability, cognitive disability, physical impairment etc.
• We encourage librarians to refer eligible patrons to us using the form below
• If unsure of a patron’s eligibility, you can ask them to pick up a standard print book and read a few lines. If they are unable to do so (even with prescription glasses) then they can join our library

How to browse our collection and borrow titles

Key details:

• You can browse our collection at any time by navigating to i-Access, our online platform
• Our patrons can borrow titles from i-Access but must log in to do so
• I-Access can automatically loan titles that match a patron’s interests
• Our patrons can share their i-Access login details with you, enabling you to borrow content for them

How to use an Envoy Connect audio player

Key details:

• The Envoy Connect is a simple, low-cost audio player that holds up to 20 audiobooks in its internal memory
• Hold the play button (the bottom centre button) to turn the player on or off
• Press the bookshelf button (the middle top button) to cycle through the titles on the Envoy
• Press the play button to start and stop playback of a title

How to load audio titles onto an Envoy Connect

Key details:

• Our free program Kiosk makes it easy to add and remove titles from an Envoy Connect (or microSD card)
• Kiosk doesn’t recognise content from other libraries, but an alternative loading method can be used
• Kiosk is available exclusively on Windows

How to use the VA Connect app

Key details:

• VA Connect is a free app that allows our patrons to borrow audio content and listen to it on a smart device
• The app has a range of accessible features, including multiple player modes

Contact the Vision Australia Library

Public libraries can contact the Vision Australia Library by email or phone.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1300 654 656

We are open Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM (AEDT)