Digital talking books: moving towards a better way to read

The RNZFB produces talking book masters as DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) talking books. The reading for digital talking books is still provided by a human narrator. For more information about DAISY talking books see the DAISY Consortium website.

In the future, DAISY books will let readers navigate by page number or chapter, and insert bookmarks in much the same way that sighted people handle print books. Digital talking books may also contain text and pictures that some readers are able to see using the magnification programs on their computers.

FAQs about the transition to digital talking books

The RNZFB is moving towards replacing its audio cassettes with digital talking books.

You can read more about the transition to digital talking books on our FAQs page.

Results of the Digital Talking Books Trial

The major accessible format produced and distributed by the Foundation to its library members is audio. This has been produced by the Foundation for 70 years. Audio is the preferred format of the RNZFB Library's, predominantly older, patrons.

The Foundation has identified that it needs to introduce new technology to support the distribution of its audio books and magazines. To support this change we undertook research into providing audio books and magazines to patrons via an internet delivery system. Trials conducted between August 2006 and February 2007 demonstrated that this delivery mechanism was achievable and acceptable to older members who do not use computers.