THE Penang State Public Library in Seberang Jaya has translated over 3,400 books in various genres into Braille since 2002.
Penang State Public Library Corporation (PPAPP) director Sharimah Salleh the corporation’s main objective was to increase literacy among those with visual impairment.
“It is important to have more reading materials in Braille.
“We are able to improve our vocabulary, thinking skills, concentration, and communication skills through reading.
“Therefore, we provide more reading materials in Braille to encourage those with visual impairment to read,” Sharimah told Buletin Mutiara when contacted today.
She said that PPAPP also has mobile libraries which provide reading materials in Braille to schools on the island and the mainland.
“The materials are used to help visually impaired students in their studies.
“Through this initiative, the students can borrow the books without having to come to the state library,” she said.
PPAPP librarian Mohd Hazani Abdullah said the Braille books available at the library comprised four languages, namely, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil and English.
“We have special classes from time to time to help those who do not know how to read Braille,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis