The Helene digital library enables visually impaired people to read books available in digital format via a dedicated computer, which translates book files in Braille or audio format.

BrailleNet, a French organisation that promotes the use of the internet to assist in the education and professional integration of visually impaired persons has created this library with assistance from French telecommunication company Alcatel and other partners.

The library which opened in January 2006, initially includes books for young people. The collection will grow in the coming months.

The virtual library is part of the BrailleNet’s ‘Helene project’. Under the project, BrailleNet also manages a database providing books to companies dedicated to the translation of books for visually impaired people. 80 partner editors have made more than 2100 books available for BrailleNet, 75 per cent of which are recent releases.

Readers can register to the ‘Helene’ library for free.