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

Celebrating 170 years, noting many a change

On the first of May in the year 1854, we proudly proclaimed our existence during a public gathering. Before the establishment of the town...

Meet Our Newest Board Member Professor Paul Collier

Professor Paul Collier recently joined the PMI Victorian History Library Board, and was appointed as Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit...

Our First Year Livestreaming Events

Here at the PMI Victorian History Library Inc. we have been conducting a little experiment. We want to reach more of our members and the...

Wanting to renew or reserve library items?

Opening Hours

Tues to Fri: 10.00am–4.00pm
Sat to Mon: Closed

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

Apr
2
Tue
PMI Bookclub
Apr 2 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
PMI Bookclub

πŸ“– PMI’s Monthly Book Club – Led by Friend of the Library, Raymond.

Join a friendly, considerate and open group for a chat about books. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month and choose our next book’s in advance. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about what we are reading next.

In 2023 we read books like The Women In Black by Madeleine St John, Eucalyptus by Murray Bail and The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll. But we are always open to suggestions!

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMWBA

Apr
24
Wed
Family History Workshops
Apr 24 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Family History Workshops

πŸ‘©πŸ½β€πŸ‘©πŸ½β€πŸ‘¦πŸ½β€πŸ‘¦πŸ½ Family History Workshops hosted by Wendy Eldridge from our Friends of the Library.

Do you want some guided help with your family history journey? We can help. Join a friendly and supportive environment while making use of the many resources available at the PMI Victorian History Library.

Our workshops will cover:
28 Feb – What you need to know what you Get Started
24 Apr – What Beginners should do
26 Jun – Special Guest
28 Aug – Doing your family history using Ancestry
30 Oct – Understanding Military Records and Resources

Bookings are essential.

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMVYL

Chapel Street Walks
Apr 24 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Chapel Street Walks

πŸ›οΈ Chapel Street Walks – An Australian Heritage Festival Event

Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear’s department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets!

The tour will be led by Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington and President of the PMI Victorian History Library.

Bookings are essential.

Image: https://stonnington.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/ARCENQ/59432044/22945613,1?FMT=IMG

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CNMYF

May
7
Tue
PMI Bookclub
May 7 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
PMI Bookclub

πŸ“– PMI’s Monthly Book Club – Led by Friend of the Library, Raymond.

Join a friendly, considerate and open group for a chat about books. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month and choose our next book’s in advance. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about what we are reading next.

In 2023 we read books like The Women In Black by Madeleine St John, Eucalyptus by Murray Bail and The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll. But we are always open to suggestions!

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMWBA

Jun
4
Tue
PMI Bookclub
Jun 4 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
PMI Bookclub

πŸ“– PMI’s Monthly Book Club – Led by Friend of the Library, Raymond.

Join a friendly, considerate and open group for a chat about books. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month and choose our next book’s in advance. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about what we are reading next.

In 2023 we read books like The Women In Black by Madeleine St John, Eucalyptus by Murray Bail and The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll. But we are always open to suggestions!

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMWBA

Jun
18
Tue
Stories from ASIO’s files
Jun 18 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Stories from ASIO’s files

πŸ•΅πŸ½ Stories from ASIO’s files

Step into the clandestine world of intrigue and mystery! Unveil the enigmatic lives of a doctor, a teacher, a gardener, and an undercover operative, as Patrick, the Assistant State Manager of Victoria at NAA, unravels a riveting tale straight from ASIO’s secretive archives. These seemingly ordinary individuals possessed secrets that caught the eye of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Who were they, really? What compelled ASIO to track their every move? Join us on a thrilling journey through covert operations and concealed identities.

Image NAA: A432, 1963/2272

Bookings are essential with a gold coin for entry.

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CNNBH

Jun
26
Wed
Family History Workshops
Jun 26 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Family History Workshops

πŸ‘©πŸ½β€πŸ‘©πŸ½β€πŸ‘¦πŸ½β€πŸ‘¦πŸ½ Family History Workshops hosted by Wendy Eldridge from our Friends of the Library.

Do you want some guided help with your family history journey? We can help. Join a friendly and supportive environment while making use of the many resources available at the PMI Victorian History Library.

Our workshops will cover:
28 Feb – What you need to know what you Get Started
24 Apr – What Beginners should do
26 Jun – Special Guest
28 Aug – Doing your family history using Ancestry
30 Oct – Understanding Military Records and Resources

Bookings are essential.

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMVYL

Jul
2
Tue
PMI Bookclub
Jul 2 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
PMI Bookclub

πŸ“– PMI’s Monthly Book Club – Led by Friend of the Library, Raymond.

Join a friendly, considerate and open group for a chat about books. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month and choose our next book’s in advance. Keep an eye on your email and the PMI’s social media for details about what we are reading next.

In 2023 we read books like The Women In Black by Madeleine St John, Eucalyptus by Murray Bail and The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll. But we are always open to suggestions!

Click here to register: https://www.trybooking.com/CMWBA

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.