Welcome to the PMI Victorian History Library Inc.
The PMI Victorian History Library Inc. is a community owned and run library specialising in the history of Victoria, Australia.
The library collection is the only lending collection of its kind in Australia – with over 30,000 books for loan and over 40,000 items on site, including titles that are unavailable elsewhere. You can find information about all aspects of the history of Victoria including:
- Company Histories
- Design & Architecture
- Family History/Genealogy
- First Nations Australians
- Theatre & Cinema
- Town History
- Transport
- Visual & Performing Arts
We also provide a professional information service for our members, access to a number of indexes, directories and online resources, as well as organise and present educational activities and events.
The PMI is also the home of:
Latest News
Wanting to renew or reserve library items?
Contact Us
Join the Library
You will be supporting a not-for-profit, community organisation and one of the oldest libraries in Victoria.
PMI Newsletter
Our regular newsletter features information about what is happening at the library, upcoming events and articles about Victorian history.
Upcoming Events
Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for PMI Book Club. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about each month’s book. It’s an informal chat, and then the group will pick the next book.
Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CFBIM
February Book: The Science of Appearances by Jacinta Halloran
March Book: Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan
April Book: The Women In Black by Madeleine St John
May Book: My Brother Jack by George Johnston
June Book: Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for PMI Book Club. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about each month’s book. It’s an informal chat, and then the group will pick the next book.
Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CFBIM
February Book: The Science of Appearances by Jacinta Halloran
March Book: Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan
April Book: The Women In Black by Madeleine St John
May Book: My Brother Jack by George Johnston
June Book: Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
đź‘— Stories Stitched in Fabric
Are you interested in costume history and design? Then join the Brighton Historical Society at the PMI Victorian History Library for a talk about their specialised costume collection. Where the diversity of items in the collection is highlighted and a few in depth stories shared. Jess, our speaker for the night will be highlighting some feature items that have been made by many hands or passed between many people. They’re items infused with stories of particular times and places, communities and individuals – clothing that represents human connections across oceans and over many decades.
Bookings are essential with a gold coin donation for entry.
Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CHFWY
Do you enjoy friendly conversation and family history? Share your knowledge and skills with other group members in a friendly and supportive environment while making use of the many resources available at the PMI Victorian History Library. Whether you are just starting out with your family history research or have many years of experience you are welcome to come along.
LAST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH – 1:00pm-2:30pm
Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CBBZX
Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for PMI Book Club. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about each month’s book. It’s an informal chat, and then the group will pick the next book.
Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CFBIM
February Book: The Science of Appearances by Jacinta Halloran
March Book: Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan
April Book: The Women In Black by Madeleine St John
May Book: My Brother Jack by George Johnston
June Book: Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
Recent Additions
Catch up on the latest additions to our collections.
Research Guides
Our staff can help with catalogue search, reference lookups & referrals.
PMI Blog
Instituting the Past, a blog from the staff and members of the PMI library.