Imagine you were standing in the middle of a Library but couldn’t see or read any of the books...
Immerse yourself in how libraries are made visible for those who are blind or visually impaired with (In)visible Libraries, an event illuminating the extraordinary languages of poetry and braille.
Over 3 days, drop in and explore poetry books in print and braille, hear from our (In)visible Libraries poets in residence, Ren Alessandra, Andy Jackson and Emilie Collyer, for a daily poetry reading from 12.30-1.15pm and contribute to growing the accessibility of the State Collection for blind communities.
Or book in a spot and sit with artists and State Library fellows Leisa Shelton and Marisa Sposaro, read your favourite poem, and watch as it is transcribed into braille and typed print.
Your poem will then be bound alongside other publicly curated prose into a hand sewn book and added to the Library’s Collection, increasing the accessibility of these works. Please note: Although this activity is sold out, there may be last-minute cancellations so feel free to ask if you can take part when you drop in.
Audio description will be available from 12 – 2pm on each day. Audio description at this program will offer people who are blind or have low vision an understanding of what is happening visually. They will not need to wonder any more.
This program has been supported by the Australia Council for the Arts and the City of Melbourne.
About Marisa Sposaro
Marisa Sposaro is a writer, activist, social worker and radio broadcaster. Her work spans community engagement, advocacy for the experience of the sight-impaired community and championing braille as a central, living language for her community.
About Leisa Shelton
Leisa Shelton is a performance artist, teacher, mentor and curator whose work focuses on collaboration and advocacy for resilient communities of practice. Her recent projects have focused on diverse experiences of the world and ways to be within it.
About Ren Alessandra
Ren is an award-winning, highly commissioned spoken word artist and educator whose works harbour in the power of our stories. She is the founder of the writing collective, Wordcraft.
About Andy Jackson
Andy Jackson is a poet preoccupied with difference and embodiment. He has featured at literary events and arts festivals across Australia, Ireland, India and the USA. Andy’s most recent poetry collection is Human Looking (Giramondo 2021) won the Prime Ministers Literary Award for Poetry.
About Emilie Collyer
Emilie Collyer writes across and between poetry, performance and prose. Her poetry collection Do you have anything less domestic? (Vagabond Press 2022) won the inaugural Five Islands Press Prize for a first book. She has a Masters of Writing from the VCA and is a current PhD candidate at RMIT where she is researching contemporary feminist poetics.
Cost: $0
Accessibility Information: Wheelchair accessible
Signage and poetry books in braille
Audio description will be available from 12 – 2pm on each day.