The Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille, TPB

TPB´s mission is to produce and lend talking books and books in braille. TPB also provides advice and information on matters concerning talking books and braille. TPB has a special service aimed at print disabled students at university level. TPB is funded entirely by the government.

Since 1980, TPB has been a government body under the Ministry of Culture.

TPB is not responsible for schoolbooks to children in schoolyears 1-12. Another government body, The National Agency for Special Needs Education and Schools has that responsibility.

Historical background

The first library for the blind in Sweden was founded in 1892 through the initiative of a philanthropic braille association. At the outset these activities were carried out entirely on a voluntary basis and continued in the same manner after the Swedish Association of the Blind took charge of the library in 1911.

In the year 2005 TPB celebrated the 50th anniversery of the talking book in Sweden. 1955, the lending of talking books began at the Library of the Swedish Association of the Blind.

The first Swedish open reel recording was produced in 1952. In the 1970s, talking books were copied onto compact cassettes

In Sweden, the first DAISY talking books (on cd-rom) were transferred to DAISY from analogue tape in 1996. TPB produces in the DAISY format since 2001.

International co-operation

TPB co-operates with libraries in several countries with regard to the loan of talking books and braille books.

TPB is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, IFLA (Libraries for the Blind Section).

TPB is a member of the board of the DAISY Consortium