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112:, but by 1926 had grown to over 10,000 volumes. Aston and Harrison volunteered to teach braille to anyone who wanted to learn it. Aston was to act as instructor, reviser and proof reader of braille books transcribed by volunteers from the Victorian Association of Braille Writers, while Harrison undertook the secretarial duties and volunteer coordination. Harrison also acted as librarian, opening her own home to volunteers and readers of the Library's fast filling shelves, which were housed in a room of her home.
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windows. Around the hall is a gallery with shelves for the library books. There are offices for the officials and a reading room for the blind. Every modern convenience has been applied in the erection of the building, and up to date heating and ventilating appliances have likewise been affixed. In fact, nothing has been left undone that would in the slightest degree tend to the comfort of those for whom the building has been specially erected.
199:, was to take over as Librarian for the Braille Library years later, and invented the first Australian Braille Printing Press in 1934. By the time of Crabb's own retirement in 1944, the library had grown to become the third-largest Braille library in the world and the only public free lending library for the blind in Victoria.
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The library can be aptly described as a handsome and lofty structure. The main portion is octagonal in shape, and quite majestic in appearance. Visitors who have seen the interior are charmed with it, and invariably describe it as lovely. It is lighted from a cupola at the summit, which has circular
187:
She was eyes to the Blind. In loving memory of MAY D. HARRISON. Fell asleep on 2nd
October, 1912. Was the principal founder of this library, and as hon. secretary and librarian devoted over 18 years of her life to the work of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. Erected by co-workers and
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In 1907, Harrison devised a simple system for teaching braille transcription to the volunteers, and she published a braille contractions sheet to enable beginners to understand the system at a glance. At the time, all transcription were made by hand using a slate and stylus.
151:, who donated funds to benefit injured and blinded returned soldiers. The Library had coconut matting on the floor and commissioned two stained glass windows to commemorate the birth of Louis Braille's birth in 1929 for the benefit of their low vision patrons.
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books obtainable in the state of
Victoria. Other people involved in the library formation, were Miss Blakely, Mr. W. H. MacLeiman, and Mr. W. Mitchell after awareness of the lack of resources for the blind was raised at a public meeting held at the
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A purpose-built
Library was constructed on Commercial Street, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria in 1918, to house the growing collection of the Victorian Association of Braille Writer's. The funds for the building were obtained from the
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She gave her life to the work, and at her death left behind a well-established institution of voluntary
Braille writers, and one of the largest braille libraries in the southern hemisphere
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Under
Harrison's librarianship, the Braille Library included works of history, biography, fiction, poetry, travel, educational, religious works, children's books, Catholic prayer-books,
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Harrison was employed as the first
Librarian of the Braille Library from 1894 until her death in 1912, and is buried St Kilda Cemetery.
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Harrison is recognised for her contributions on the
Australian Braille Authority's Australian Braille Honour Roll.
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When it was opened in 1918, the library was described in a newspaper of the time as:
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and other languages (Harrison being an enthusiast of the
Esperanto language).
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325:"Raise Up: The women who revolutionised braille accessibility in Victoria"
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on
October 26, 1918, and was dedicated to May Harrison. It was inscribed:
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92:, and was inspired to help create a library for the blind in
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A foundation stone and plaque for the
Library was laid by
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In 1894, Harrison became acquainted with blind advocate,
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The Braille Library on Commercial Road, South Yarra.
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The Library began with just eight braille copies of
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Bohemia : the all-Australian literary magazine
408:(Book). Australia: National Archives of Australia.
406:Braille Contraction Chart and Key to Contractions
209:Braille Contraction Chart and Key to Contractions
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624:"Braille Library A NEW INSTITUTION FOR PRAHRAN"
380:Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939)
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727:"BRAILLE LIBRARIAN TO RETIRE AFTER 37 YEARS"
241:"They Also Read Who Cannot See, Fifth Issue"
175:Victorian Braille Library foundation stone
158:Entryway of the Victorian Braille Library
57:Founding Victoria's First Braille Library
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298:Miller Knowles, Marion (29 March 1913).
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78:Victorian Association of Braille Writers
123:pamphlets, as well as a few volumes in
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650:"May D. Harrison | Monument Australia"
49:Philanthropist, educator and librarian
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404:Drake-Harrison, May (18 June 1907).
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80:and the Victorian Braille Library.
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603:"Braille and Talking Book Library"
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300:"Louis Braille's Great Invention"
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76:(died 1912) was a founder of the
16:Australilan educator of the blind
423:"Australian Braille Honour Roll"
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425:. Australian Braille Authority
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96:. Before this, there were no
769:Burials at St Kilda Cemetery
764:People from Victoria (state)
239:Aston, Tilly (August 1939).
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551:"BRAILLE WRITERS' LIBRARY"
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181:Edward Fancourt Mitchell
74:Mary Ann 'May' Harrison
25:Mary Ann 'May' Harrison
774:Educators of the blind
354:The Sun News-Pictorial
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121:Catholic Truth Society
731:The Argus (Melbourne)
701:"PRINTING IN BRAILLE"
207:Drake-Harrison, May.
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350:"A PLACE IN THE SUN"
577:"LIBRARY FOR BLIND"
376:"Mrs. May Harrison"
329:visionaustralia.org
149:Edward Wilson Trust
94:Victoria, Australia
733:. 29 February 1944
654:Monument Australia
530:Monument Australia
477:. 11 November 1911
382:. 4 September 1902
195:Harrison's niece,
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681:. 20 January 1934
675:"BRAILLE WRITERS"
607:Heritage Victoria
557:. 28 October 1918
526:"May D. Harrison"
501:Prahran Telegraph
471:"ESPERANTO NOTES"
451:. 19 October 1912
445:"ESPERANTO NOTES"
103:Prahran Town Hall
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503:. 5 October 1912
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356:. 26 March 1923
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270:West Australian
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211:. 18 Jun 1907.
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707:. 6 April 1934
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475:The Advertiser
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188:blind friends.
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54:Known for
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583:. 21 May 1927
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46:Occupation(s)
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630:. 3 May 1919
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581:Australasian
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203:Publications
197:Minnie Crabb
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110:Oliver Twist
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66:Minnie Crabb
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759:1912 deaths
737:15 December
711:14 December
634:14 December
587:14 December
561:14 December
535:14 December
481:14 December
429:14 December
386:14 December
360:14 December
334:14 December
215:Recognition
90:Tilly Aston
40:, Australia
753:Categories
685:9 December
659:9 December
507:9 December
497:"PERSONAL"
455:9 December
449:Advertiser
309:9 December
276:9 December
266:"PERSONAL"
250:9 December
223:References
555:The Argus
125:Esperanto
62:Relatives
304:Advocate
38:Victoria
98:Braille
679:Record
134:Legacy
84:Career
705:Argus
739:2023
713:2023
687:2023
661:2023
636:2023
589:2023
563:2023
537:2023
509:2023
483:2023
457:2023
431:2023
388:2023
362:2023
336:2023
311:2023
278:2023
252:2023
34:1912
31:Died
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
