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

Meet Our Newest Board Member Carmel O’Keeffe

Carmel O’Keeffe joined the PMI Victorian History Library board in May, following her nomination by Museums Victoria (MV), - where she is...

A New Patron for the PMI Victorian History Library

It is a pleasure to announce that Professor Clare Wright OAM has agreed to be our new Library Patron. Some of you may know Clare as an...

Current Books For Sale

Prahran Mechanics' Institute Press publications: Valuable steps: a history of physical education in Victoria / Garry Powell, 312p, $35...

Wanting to renew or reserve library items?

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10.00am–4.00pm
Wednesday: 10.00am–4.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am–4.00pm
Friday: 10.00am–4.00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Click-and-Collect By Appointment Only on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9:00am – 5.00pm

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

May
2
Tue
PMI Book Club
May 2 2023 @ 11:15 am – Jan 1 2024 @ 12:15 pm
PMI Book Club

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

Jun
6
Tue
PMI Book Club
Jun 6 2023 @ 11:15 am – Feb 5 2024 @ 1:15 pm
PMI Book Club

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

Jun
13
Tue
Stories Stitched in Fabric
Jun 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Stories Stitched in Fabric

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

 

 

Jun
27
Tue
Family History Social Group @ PMI Victorian History Library
Jun 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Family History Social Group @ PMI Victorian History Library

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

Jul
4
Tue
PMI Book Club
Jul 4 2023 @ 11:15 am – Mar 4 2024 @ 1:15 pm
PMI Book Club

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.

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PMI Blog

Instituting the Past, a blog from the staff and members of the PMI library.