Originally Published 3 May 2019
The PMI ephemera collection began its life as a vertical file collection (we’re in fact still in the process of changing the name on the Library Management System). A vertical file is clippings of articles (mainly from newspapers) and the PMI’s is about Victoria and especially towns in Victoria. Over the years it has also accumulated brochures and other programs and pamphlets. Then in 2017 the decision was reached to transition it away from a newspaper clipping focus to a pure ephemera collection. This has resulted in an immensely varied collection of everything from programs, to brochures, to maps, to cookbooks. It also makes any travel PMI staff do interesting, because we collect all the surrounding ephemera. It is not unusual for us to walk out of a tourist information centre with half the contents (you can see an example below), or have people photocopying information that you aren’t allowed to take with you.
We have also been actively seeking ephemera, we’ve been writing to councils and historical societies to have them send us their brochures. It is both an organised and serendipitous collection. All new material is sorted into folders for indexing. It is currently indexed by Sonya, one of our dedicated volunteers. All material in the ephemera collection is key word searchable on the PMI catalogue.
The material is called ephemera because it is ephemeral- that is lasting for a short time- and this is what makes it invaluable. It is often the sort of information that doesn’t make it into history books, it can be very local and small scale. Additionally, it is also fascinating social history, especially with some of the more social items such as little cookbooks, household guides and theatre programs. The advertising, clothing and what is considered important can give an unexpected insight into an era or a place.
The ephemera collection contains nearly 11 000 individual items covering over 1000 places and subjects. You can find folders for Victorian towns and suburbs from Abbotsford to Zumsteins and a wide range of subjects from Alcohol to Writers. While there are many old brochures and pamphlets etc in the ephemera collection, the modern material will become increasingly valuable and useful over time as it isn’t preserved anywhere else and becomes unique. Even though the modern material may not seem remarkable, the ephemera collection brings together a geographically disparate collection that isn’t accessible anywhere else.
Ephemera resources make a fascinating adjunct to all research. You can see some examples at the start of this post and you can explore the indexed material using  https://bit.ly/2DGkSXZ or delve into an area or subject you might be interested in by searching the subject with the words vertical file.
There are all sorts of gems in the ephemera collection, just waiting to be discovered.