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The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am – 12noon)

This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance.
If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of Interest. We welcome your feedback through this form as we progress this great new initiative. 
 
Expression of Interest to participate >

 

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A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens

APRIL SESSION

A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens

After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

Review a title

Why not review a book for the benefit of our members. We will publish these reviews in our social media and website from time to time.

This event is a BMI Community Art Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Lost and Found Liz Byrski Rose Walters has never taken a leap of faith quite like this one.She is flying home to England for the first time in decades to search for her first love. But what she finds there is far from what she expected.When Rose turns up at her door, Dora Stutchbury is not sure she’s willing to take over the coals of the past – especially those she has taken care to let lie for so long.

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Last Love Song Lucinda Riley When Sorcha O’Donovan encounters struggling musician Con Daly – the strikingly handsome outcaste in their small coastal village in Ireland’s West Cork – her days will never be the same.Con strikes gold with rock band The Fishermen in London, but their lives change beyond recognition as the dark side of fame rears its head and secrets from the past threaten to destroy everything he has worked for Twenty years later, The fishermen agree to

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Endless Sky Di Morrissey Top-rating TV presenter Nicole and her savvy producer and friend Stacie suddenly find themselves under the rule of a new boss… he’s arrogant.,patronising and out to prove he’s in charge. Their challenge? To create a hit show revealing the hidden heart of outback Australia – a place few from the towns and cities have visited and even fewer people understand. What begins as a career-defining adventure quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and unexpected. In a

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BMI Monthly Calendar 2026

$40 – limited stock This year our 2026 calendar will feature twelve illustrations from the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute heritage book collection. All funds raised will go towards supporting the BMI – a not-for-profit community-owned organisation, continuing to share knowledge through our library and associated member  services, providing a unique place to engage with history, and a vibrant hub for community events. The Calendar: If you would like to purchase the calendar we will make them available at the library for pick-up, and, we will notify you by email as soon as these are available. They

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Library closure Festive Season

The Library will be closed from Monday 22 December  and re-opening on Monday 5 January 2026 We wish you a Merry Christmas. Special Membership offer Please remember we still have our Special Membership offer (only $50) running through to 5 January However if you wish to offer membership as a Christmas Gift we can arrange a voucher for you to pick up from the Library desk prior to 20 December. Purchase here

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