User:AlphaLemur/May Harrison

 'May' Harrison (-1912) was a founder of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the Victorian Braille Library.

In 1894, Harrison became aquainted with blind advocate, Tilly Aston, and was inspired to help create a library for the blind in Victoria, Australia. Before this, there were no Braille books obtainable in the state of Victoria. Others involved in the library's formation, were Miss Blakely, Mr. W. H. MacLeiman, and Mr. W. Mitchell after a public meeting was held at the Prahran Town Hall, Melbourne.

The Library began with just eight braille copies of Oliver Twist, and by 1926 had grown to over 10,000 volumes. Aston was to act as instructor, reviser and proof reader, while Harrison undertook the secretarial office, and acted as librarian for the fast filling shelves which she housed in her own home. Aston and Harrison also volunteered to teach braille to anyone who wanted to learn it, having to obtain a braille dictionary especially for the purpose from England. Harrison devised a simple system for teaching braille transcription and published a braille contractions sheet to enable beginners to understand the system at a glance. At the time, all transcription were achieved through use of a slate and stylus.

Harrison was also an enthusiast of the Esperanto language. Because of this, the Braille Library included works of history, biography, fiction, poetry, travel, educational, religious works, children's books, Catholic prayer-books, Catholic Truth Society pamphlets, as well as a few volumes in Esperanto and other languages.

Harrison was employed as the first Librarian of the Braille Library from 1894 until her death in 1912, and buried St Kilda Cemetery.

Legacy
A purpose built Braille Library was built on Commercial Street, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria in 1918, to house the collection of Victorian Association of Braille Writer's Braille Library. The funds for the building were obtained from the Edward Wilson Trust, who donated 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.

When it was opened in 1918, the library was described in a newsaper of the time as:

"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 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."

A foundaton stone and plaque was laid by Sir Edward Mitchell K.C. K.C.M.G. October 26th 1918 and was dedicated to May Harrison. It was inscribed: :

"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 blind friends."

She gave her life to the work, and at her death left behind a well-established institution of voluntary Braille writers. Harrison is Buried St Kilda Cemetery.

Harrison's niece, Minnie Crabb, was to take over as Librarian for the Braille Library years later, and eventually was to invent the first Australian Braille Printing Press in 1934.

Publications
Drake-Harrison, May. Braille Contraction Chart and Key to Contracttions. 18 Jun 1907.

Recognition
Harrison is recognised for her contributions on the Australian Braille Authority's Australian Braille Honour Roll.