This year we are starting a new lecture series to honour Florence Bartleman, our first employed Librarian.

In a historic decision on December 2nd, 1907, Florence Bartleman of Middle Brighton became the first female, professionally employed librarian at PMI Library, marking a significant shift from secretary-managed operations to professional library services. Her weekly salary of ÂŁ1 represented not just compensation, but a milestone in the our evolution.

Florence Bartleman’s journey into librarianship began at the Stawell Mechanics Institute, before making her mark at PMI Library. As the daughter of a local bank manager, she maintained her role as a librarian until her marriage in 1917. Her professional legacy continued until 1920, when she relocated to Sydney with her family.

During her tenure, Florence worked under the dynamic leadership of John Henry Furneaux, PMI Library’s Secretary, who played a pivotal role in the institution’s development. His achievements included:

  • Revitalising the PMI Library at the turn of the century – by securing we continued with the 1899 Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Act no.1617 (this was the act that we repeal in 2024).
  • Establishing Prahran Tech
  • Orchestrating our relocation to High Street
  • Successfully preserving PMI Library’s independence from Prahran Library

Florence Bartleman’s appointment marked the beginning of a new era in PMI Library’s history, paving the way for generations of professional librarians who have since transformed the institution into the comprehensive Victorian history library it is today. Her recently discovered photograph, shared by her granddaughter Robyn McPhail, now stands as a testament to this remarkable heritage. The new lecture series will honour this pioneering spirit and celebrate the professional evolution of library services at PMI Library.

Florence is the woman on the left looking directly at the camera. If you want to know more about our history, please email us at library@pmi.net.au.