Reflections from Poets In Residence Andy Jackson and Emilie Collyer for [IN]Visible Libraries, DEC 2023.

I was honoured to be invited to be a Poet in Residence for the [In]visible Libraries project at the State Library of Victoria. It was such an important initiative, fostering representation and access for an under-served reading community, but it was also an aesthetically rich one. Being present during the transcription of poems by members of the public into Braille was fascinating and moving. The books are beautiful, and the process of their creation such an sensitive and open version of community building. I hope [In]visible Libraries is able to have multiple iterations across many towns and cities - people across the country deserve to experience it.

- Andy Jackson, Poet in Residence

Learn more about Andy Jackson’s work HERE


It was an immense pleasure and privilege to be part of [In]visible Libraries. The project addresses a crucial gap in our literature by translating poetry into braille and by drawing connections between poetry and braille. Beyond this, it's a vital project in terms of its leadership, the creative collaboration between Leisa Shelton and Marisa Sposaro. It acts as an exemplar for others wishing to make change in how public knowledge is shared and accessed. The event was beautifully curated with thought given to every aspect, from activities, to the set up of the space, to the aesthetics of the physical objects created. The project honours local poetry in a way that is rarely done and provided a unique, educative and creative experience for all participants including myself as a poet and reader and audiences who attended. Being present while Marisa created braille versions of poems live was absolutely incredible. And the opportunity for audiences of all kinds to have frank and enlightening conversations about reading experiences for blind and vision-impaired people, processes of braille translation, writing and reading poetry, and the art of book making provided a unique and deeply enriching experience.

- Emilie Collyer, Poet in Residence

Learn more about Emilie Collyer’s work HERE