Welcome

The PMI Library is a community owned and run library specialising in the history of Victoria, Australia.

We have over 30,000 books for loan and a professional information service for our members. We provide a central resource for research into the history of Victoria.

Joining is easy, affordable and open to all.

The PMI is also the home of special collections of the Mechanics’Institutes of Victoria, the Cinema and Theatre Historical Society and The Victorian Railway History Library

Latest COVID-19 update

On Sunday 18 October 2020 the Victorian State Government announced an update to restrictions currently in place across metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria.

At this stage all libraries in Melbourne will remain closed except for 'click and collect' activities until further notice.

At this stage it is likely that all libraries in Melbourne including the PMI will remain under these restrictions until well into November.

Please contact us on 0432 012 118 or email library@pmi.net.au to seek further information.

Naturally if anything changes in regards to the above we will provide an update through our media channels.

Thank you.

The PMI team

Due to Stage 4 restrictions we are currently closed to our members, associated groups and the general community. We are operating a virtual library service. Please contact us at library@pmi.net.au or 0432 012 118 for further details.
Indexes

We hold a variety of indexes ranging from Australia’s Army war dead, to Victorian mining accidents.

These indexes provide primary resources - the footsteps of real people that get lost in the broader narrative of more general histories. This information can be invaluable, for family history researchers in particular.

The indexes can be found on the library computers under indexes.
Electronic Databases
Electronic databases are often overlooked, and the PMI’s collection can provide a myriad of information. They range from directories like the Sands and McDougall’s directories which cover addresses in first Melbourne and then Victoria, to hospital indexes, to registries for example cemetery burial registries from a wide variety of Victorian cemeteries, to gazettes for example the police gazette, which covers all sorts of ways that people came into contact with the law. These are just examples of some of these sorts of resources and they can be invaluable as they can give you firsthand primary information.

Latest News


		
		
				
					
				    			
					        				
							            			
								6            			
								Oct 20
							
											    			
					    				
						‘Click and collect’ at PMI    			    
						    				
							                        
								Announcement, News, PMI Victorian History Library							
												        			 
							            			
								                				
									                                    
										Each Wednesday we are offering a 'click and collect' service at PMI between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Please contact us on...									                				
									Read More	
															

											
				
			

		

		
		
				
					
				    			
					        				
							            			
								26            			
								Sep 20
							
											    			
					    				
						Ephemera Zoom Roadshow, Wednesday 30 September at 7.30pm    			    
						    				
							                        
								Announcement, Events, News, PMI Victorian History Library							
												        			 
							            			
								                				
									                                    
										Join us on Wednesday 30 September at 7.30pm for our 'Ephemera Roadshow'. Bring along an item of interest for 'show...									                				
									Read More	
															

											
				
			

		

		
		
				
					
				    			
					        				
							            			
								18            			
								Sep 20
							
											    			
					    				
						Our ‘virtual’ library service    			    
						    				
							                        
								Announcement, News, PMI Victorian History Library							
												        			 
							            			
								                				
									                                    
										Our 'virtual' library service keeps you connected to as much of our resources as possible. This includes provision of electronic...									                				
									Read More

Wanting to renew your items?

Click on the Catalogue tab, to access the member login area. Enter your email address and password then select from the pull down menu ‘Loans and Reservations’.

Current Opening Hours

Due to Stage 4 restrictions we are currently closed but we are now offering a ‘click and collect’ service between 10.00am and 4.00pm on Wednesdays commencing 16 September 2020.

We are also offering a ‘virtual’ library service, for example scanning and emailing / posting extracts from our collection on Wednesdays.

Please contact us for further details on how we can help you.

Contact Us

Telephone (Mobile): 0432 012 118
or email us here

Social Media

Facebook • Twitter • PMI Library Blog