PMI Victorian History Library

We are a community owned and run library specialising in the history of Victoria, Aust. The PMI Victorian History Library Inc.

is a subscription library established (originally in Chapel Street) in Prahran, Victoria, Australia in 1854 with subscriptions and donations of the local community. It provided a community centre, meeting place and library before the establishment of the local municipality. The PMI is one of the oldest surviving Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria and one of only six still operating a lending librar

04/09/2024

Visit the PMI Victorian History Library's pop-up shop and add this rare volume to your collection ๐Ÿ“š

"Matthew Flinders' Narrative of his Voyage in the Schooner Francis: 1798" by Geoffrey Rawson. This 1946 Golden Cockerel Press edition is a gem for maritime history enthusiasts.
Featuring:

โ€ข Flinders' early life and marine explorations
โ€ข Notes on Bass and the wreck of the Sidney Cove
โ€ข Exquisite engravings by John Buckland Wright

Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of Australian maritime history.

04/09/2024

Remember we do colour Tuesday at the Library for the first Tuesday of the month? Don't we all look stunning in red!

Next month is Pink ๐ŸŽ€

The Do******ix Next Door 03/09/2024

When a cash-strapped single mother of two in suburban Melbourne has a fun idea to start a side hustle running workshops for hensโ€™ parties, she has no idea it will lead her on a surreal adventure (or twenty) through the debaucherous underground world of kink clubs and swingersโ€™ parties. Nor does she know that it will bring her out on the other end as one of Australiaโ€™s most recognised Do******ixes.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Tues, 19th Nov, 6.30pm
๐Ÿ“ PMI Victorian History Library
๐Ÿ’ฐ Gold Coin for entry
Click the ๐Ÿ”— to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CQICL

The Do******ix Next Door ๐ŸŽญ The Do******ix Next Door - Mother by day, Do******ix by night. When a cash-strapped single mother of two in suburban Melbourne has a fun idea...

01/09/2024

Spring ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ into the library to explore our new book display ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒณ put together by volunteers Gem and Rafe. ๐ŸŒธ

31/08/2024

Our friends at Surrey Hills Historical Society have their book sale in Sept. Keen to get yourself a bargain, why not visit them? https://www.facebook.com/events/528491556265603

Then stop by our book sale in Nov ๐Ÿ˜‰

30/08/2024

Your Good Luck!

Hey History podcast 29/08/2024

Our Patron, Clare Wright has yet another wonderful History project under her belt. Please share this kid friendly podcast widely ๐Ÿงก

Hey History podcast Australiaโ€™s first history podcast for the classroom A podcast mapped to the Australian curriculum for Stages 2 and 3 history, designed for classroom use.Each episode has music, immersive sound and stories from Australia's top historians and experts.Go back in time to the Gold Rush. What happened a...

28/08/2024

As our Pop-up Bookshop has new hours, you should come by and pick up this gem ๐Ÿ˜‰

Explore Australiaโ€™s postal history with SIX STAMPS, PLEASE by Marc Fiddian, featuring a stunning collection of photographs that showcase the unique architecture of post offices across cities, suburbs, and hamlets, along with the year each was builtโ€”perfect for collectors and history lovers at an unbeatable price!

28/08/2024

Clementine is researching how to become a dog. She saw that it was on Monday and thought it was the best path in her ongoing quest for . ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ“š

27/08/2024

If you've visited our library, you know that we are also the home of three other organisations, whose topics of interest span transport and trains, cinemas and mechanic' institutes!

Allow us to reintroduce you all to the:

Victorian Railway History Library, Cinema and Theatre Historical Society Australia - CATHS and Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Inc. ๐Ÿงก

27/08/2024

The PMI no longer uses this embosser to mark books in the collection. However, you'll still find its mark on many of the older collection items, making it an enduring part of the PMI's history. Plus, it's charming!

Best Australian books of the 21st century: as chosen by 50 experts 27/08/2024

Did you see this book list created by The Conversation Australia + NZ? We have quite a few of these in our collection. Come visit us and borrow them today ๐Ÿงก

https://theconversation.com/best-australian-books-of-the-21st-century-as-chosen-by-50-experts-236240?

Best Australian books of the 21st century: as chosen by 50 experts We were dismayed to see no Australians on the New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century โ€“ so, with the help of 50 experts, we created our own, all-Australian list. You can have your say, too!

27/08/2024

One day, Patrick was at his desk at the National Archives of Australia, organising records when he came across a passport that definitely had a story to tell. During lockdown he had a chance, with the help of others to fill in that story.

Learn about the story of the White family and their journey to Australia after the 1938 annexation of Austria by N**i Germany.

Watch the full recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/qe1QJSz6S1E?si=Bh_ayoUiRvGyUV9E

Photos from PMI Victorian History Library's post 26/08/2024

Before volunteering at PMI Library, Raymond worked for more than twelve years as a chef, and now the Libraryโ€™s staff and volunteers enjoy his hospitality expertise.

Once heโ€™s done his coffee rounds in the morning, he sets to work organising the archives below the library. Itโ€™s a tricky job, he says, but being a perfectionist, it suits him just right.

24/08/2024

๐Ÿ”” LAST CHANCE TO BOOK - how long have you followed Triple J's Hottest 100?

Join Tom Clarke, author of Should have been Higher, as he shows that this countdown isn't just about music. It's a space where young Aussies steer the conversation. Their votes drive the event's success, inadvertently giving them a platform and a voice in shaping cultural dialogue.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Tues, 24th Sept @ 6.30pm
๐Ÿ“ PMI Victorian History Library
๐Ÿ’ฐ Gold Coin for entry
๐Ÿ”— to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CNRBK

23/08/2024

Your - good luck!

23/08/2024

๐Ÿ“• at the !

๐ŸŒธ This week, weโ€™re featuring At the Foot of the Cherry Tree by Alli Parker. A sweeping and moving novel that explores faith, trust, and love, this story will take you on a journey that alters history itself. ๐ŸŒธ

This book is part of our collection, borrow it today!

23/08/2024

๐ŸŒŸ Exciting News! ๐ŸŒŸ

We are hosting a silent auction featuring three stunning large prints by the talented artist ! Each piece measures 81.5 x 81 cm and is a beautiful addition to any contemporary art collection. Join us in supporting the library while adding unique art to your home!

The piece of art featured here is called: Slashes of Colour https://forms.gle/LKPS7kjPp1atUJqq5

22/08/2024

โœจ๐Ÿ“– Book Week Astronomy

It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic!

20/08/2024

๐Ÿ”– PMI Victorian History Library Book Sale

Step into a treasure trove of literary delights at our upcoming booksale! You will embark on a thrilling adventure through the pages of second-hand classics and unearth hidden gems among our collection of rare books. So make sure to put the date below into your calendar and come along.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Sat, 16th Nov, 10.30am - 3.30pm
๐Ÿ“ PMI Victorian History Library

Melbourne's Art Deco cinemas of the late 1930s 20/08/2024

So many of the 1930's cinemas are now, Audi's or Petrol Stations, as Royce of CATHS (Cinema's and Theatre Historic Society) tells us. It's sad, but at least we have records of them to remember them by!

Learn more cinemas facts in Royce's talk. Click ๐Ÿ”—to access:

Melbourne's Art Deco cinemas of the late 1930s As Melbourne emerged from the Depression in 1935 its citizens could again afford a night out at the pictures. The suburbs saw many new cinemas built, until i...

20/08/2024

Do you find cooking with electricity exciting? ๐Ÿ˜€ Join Luna on a culinary journey through our cook books.

19/08/2024

Book Week Mining โ›๏ธ๐Ÿ“–
It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic! โญ

Photos from PMI Victorian History Library's post 19/08/2024

Wendy, fearless Leader of our "Friends of the Library" group, runs our bookshop downstairs which is open every Tuesday and 2nd Friday of the month from 11am to 3pm. She also hosts the library's family history workshops.

Since the age of three, sheโ€™s been arts-and-crafting, and has taught others at TAFE and Community Centres. Aside from dioramas, she also makes ceramics, mosaics and scrapbooks.

Life So Full of Promise 17/08/2024

๐Ÿ””DONT FORGET!

To join us and award-winning historian Ross McMullin, he'll be discussing his new book โ€œLife So Full of Promiseโ€. This book combines prodigious research and narrative flair in a collection of interwoven family stories about forgotten Australians who had radiant potential. The rich cast of characters includes a popular doctor, a brilliant cricketer, and an exceptionally talented barrister who was a potential prime minister.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Wed, 6th Nov, 6.30pm
๐Ÿ“ PMI Victorian History Library
๐Ÿ’ฐ Gold Coin for entry
Click the ๐Ÿ”— to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CQJGX

Life So Full of Promise Award-winning historian and biographer of Pompey Elliott, Ross McMullin, on his new book. Ross is a renowned storyteller and an entertaining...

16/08/2024

Book Week Knitting ๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ“–
It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic! โญ

16/08/2024

Your good luck!

16/08/2024

Happy ! ๐Ÿ““๐Ÿฅฐ

This week, we're featuring The Conversion by Amanda Lohrey. ๐Ÿ’ญ Borrow this novel from the and enter its dreamy tone to explore the complexities of love, loss, family, and home.

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Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Videos (show all)

Spring ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ into the library to explore our new book display ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒณ put together by volunteers Gem and Rafe. ๐ŸŒธ#PMIVicHistoryLi...
The PMI no longer uses this embosser to mark books in the collection. However, you'll still find its mark on many of the...
One day, Patrick was at his desk at the National Archives of Australia, organising records when he came across a passpor...
โœจ๐Ÿ“– Book Week Astronomy It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic! #PMIVicHistoryLibrary #CBC...
Do you find cooking with electricity exciting? ๐Ÿ˜€ Join Luna on a culinary journey through our #SEC cook books. #PMIVicHis...
Book Week Mining โ›๏ธ๐Ÿ“–It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic! โญ#PMIVicHistoryLibrary #CBCA2...
Book Week Knitting ๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ“–It's Book Week! and this year we are discovering how Reading is Magic! โญ#PMIVicHistoryLibrary #CBCA...
Did you know there are more trees on this earth than stars in our galaxy? ๐ŸŒณโญ๐ŸŒŸHappy Science Week!#ScienceWeek #PMIVicHist...
Did you know humans can't walk in a straight line without looking at something? ๐Ÿ‘ฃHappy Science Week!#ScienceWeek #PMIVic...
Recently we had Royce from CATHS (Cinema and Theatre Historical Society) regal us with tales of cinemas from the 1930's....
This is the employment contract of George Cross, who became secretary of the PMI in 1868. This document ultimately repre...
Did you know bananas are radioactive? ๐ŸŒHappy Science Week!#ScienceWeek #PMIVicHistoryLibrary #FoundInALibrary #LibraryCo...

Address


39 St Edmonds Road
Melbourne, VIC
3181

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

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