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 Library is also home of:

Latest News

Our Inaugural Exploring Victorian Voices Event

Come and enjoy an enlightening evening for History Month, offering insights into a foundational moment in Australian democracy. Professor...

Financial Donations

Financial Donations As the PMI Victorian History Library Inc. receives no regular public funding, the subscriptions and donations of...

Support Victoria’s Second Oldest Library

Here at the PMI Victorian History Library Inc. we are entirely independent and not for profit. This means that we receive no regular...

Wanting to renew or reserve library items?

Join the Library

You will be supporting a not-for-profit, community organisation and one of the oldest libraries in Victoria.

Opening Hours

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

Contact Us

Upcoming Events

Oct
16
Wed
Malvern Heritage Walks
Oct 16 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Malvern Heritage Walks

🏛️ Malvern Heritage Walks – An Seniors and History Month Event

Beginning at the base of the clock tower of the Malvern Town Hall, you will explore the Town Hall, nearby Police Station and former Court House; St George’s Anglican Parish (church, hall and vicarage); Stonnington’s only bluestone house; Waiora house; Malvern Square and sculptures; former Malvern Fire Station; former De La Salle College, Armadale; Malvern Tram Depot; St Joseph’s Catholic Parish (church, presbytery, hall and girls’ & boys’ schools); Tower Building (De La Salle College); former site of Kildara College and Brigidine Convent; Northbrook (house, ballroom and stables); MCG (Malvern Cricket Ground and pavilion); finishing at the former ES&A Bank.

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

Bookings are essential.

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

Oct
22
Tue
Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions – Exploring Victorian Voices
Oct 22 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions - Exploring Victorian Voices

🍂 Join us for an event featuring acclaimed author Clare Wright OAM, Patron of the PMI Victorian History Library. She will discuss her latest book, which delves into the pivotal year of 1963. During this time, leaders of the Yolngu clans, in collaboration with their white allies, embarked on an unprecedented political journey that led to the presentation of four Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament.

“Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions” offers a compelling narrative of a foundational document in Australian democracy and the individuals behind it. Clare Wright’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the rich and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples, highlighting their ongoing resilience and influence.

Bookings are essential.

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

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

👩🏽‍👩🏽‍👦🏽‍👦🏽 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 – Understanding Military Records and Resources
30 Oct – Doing your family history using Ancestry / Understanding Military Records and Resources

Bookings are essential.

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

Armadale Heritage Walks
Oct 30 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Armadale Heritage Walks

🏛️ Armadale Heritage Walks – An Seniors and History Month Event

Join us for a captivating walking tour that blends history and exercise, perfect for enthusiasts of both! Starting at Armadale train station, you’ll explore the fascinating past of High Street, one of Victoria’s most iconic locations known for its vibrant food scene, fashion boutiques, leisure spots, and stunning architecture.

Our knowledgeable guide, Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, an architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington, and past President of the PMI Victorian History Library, will lead you through the historical highlights and hidden gems of this renowned area.

Bookings are essential.

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

Nov
5
Tue
PMI Bookclub
Nov 5 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
PMI Bookclub

📖 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

Nov
6
Wed
Life So Full of Promise
Nov 6 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Life So Full of Promise

Award-winning historian and biographer of Pompey Elliott, Ross McMullin, on his new book.

Ross is a renowned storyteller and an entertaining speaker. He will regale us with stories from “Life So Full of Promise”, his second lost generation multi-biography following “Farewell Dear People”, which won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History.

Ross’s new book again combines prodigious research and narrative flair in a collection of interwoven family stories about forgotten Australians who had radiant potential. The rich cast of characters includes a popular doctor, a brilliant cricketer, and an exceptionally talented barrister who was a potential prime minister.

“Life So Full of Promise” illuminates what the war was like at home and at the sharp end. It provides insights into the experiences of Australians before, during and after the war, whether they were combatants or civilians, or soldiers’ wives or parents.

Bookings are essential with a gold coin for entry.

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

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 Library Blog

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