Our Library
Formally known as the Batten Room
Borrowing
The BMI Collections includes hardback, paperback, DVDs, and talking book cassettes across a number of genres including latest releases and old favourites in crime fiction, mystery and suspense, Scandinavian thrillers, great Australian writers, and a great range of non-fiction titles. Plus, there are complete sets of ‘same character’ series – numbered in sequence on the spine.
Despite the library operating in a heritage space, everything that could be expected in a modern library can be found at the BMI, such as free internet access, photocopying, local daily newspapers and a reading area with comfortable armchairs.
New Releases
Rosemary’s Recommendations
Books for Sale
Now and again the collection is reviewed and some surplus, duplicate or non-current titles are made available for sale in the library.
Members also donate books to the library giving us the opportunity to replace and rejuvenate existing contemporary stock or even our Heritage Collection.
Keep an eye on our Newsletter and Events Page for Book Sale dates.
Author talks
We regularly host author talks in the Library, these events are open to all and we would love to see you there, keep an eye on our Talks page.
Book Clubs
T: (03) 5331 3042
E: library@ballaratmi.org.au
Library subscription
Why not become a member of the BMI community, you will not only have access to our contemporary library but to our historical collection and discounts on selected BMI events.
Donations
We happily take delivery of pre-loved books that are in good condition (during regular library operating hours) to supplement our library or include in our fundraising book sales.
To enquire please contact the Librarian.
Rosemary’s new releases & recommendations
Book of the Month
Heritage Book Collection
Whilst it is not possible to borrow our Heritage Collection of books, members are able to able to do so in the Heritage Reading Room (fragile items may need to be viewed under the guidance of the Heritage Collection Team).
Our Heritage Collection Database is currently being transitioned to an upgraded system, unfortunately electonic access to the collection isn’t currently available. We apologise for this inconvenience.
We will advise via our newsletter when this transition has been completed. If there is something specific that you are looking for, please contact the Librarian.
T: (03) 5331 3042
E: library@ballaratmi.org.au
Updated 17/07/2025
Author Talks
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
May 13 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets After the Noise Kerri Rogan Lee squinted in the sunlight and patted around her. It felt like a mattress and a dog. For the first time in months, she had slept in a bed. Oh, dear. Moose. She had fed her a […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
May 27 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Model Murder Amanda Hampson A Tea Ladies Mystery A model vanishes - A man is murdered - and the Tea Ladies are back on the case. Sydney, 1968. In a shadowy city lane, a young man is shot dead. His glamorous […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
June 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Palace of Lost Virture Anthea Hodgson Anthea will be in conversation with local author A J Lyndon At its core, The Palace of Lost Virtue is a story of female friendship and resilience. Blending real historical events with beautifully written fiction, […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
June 23 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets Where Truth Ends Mark Smith What if everything you believed in was a lie? Truth and betrayal collide in the new Mark Smith thriller, perfect for fans of Christian White and Lisa Jewell. Meg Maher thought she was doing the right thing. […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
July 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets For All The Dead Girls Sherryl Clark Sherryl will be in conversation with author Tracey Rolfe Tough and gutsy PI Lou Alcott returns with a terrifyingly gritty new case that takes her deep into the dark web. While juggling a missing person […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
July 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets Seen Again: Light On Matrescence Benita Bensch Seen Again is a modern companion through matrescence, the profound transition of becoming a mother. Matrescence is a biological, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual transformation that can leave mothers without the language or support to make […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
July 20 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets Every Time She Wakes Petronella McGovern Petronella will be in conversation with local author Paula Gleeson An unputdownable thriller from the bestselling author of Six Minutes and The Last Trace. Every Time She Wakes is a taut, time-bending thriller about family, identity and defying […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
July 29 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets Lest Angels Weep Phillipa Nefri Clark Phillipa will be in conversation with local actor Kate Atkinson The new case is cold. Stone cold. Until another murder with striking similarities rocks a remote outback town. Detective Liz Moorland is desperate to get out […]
117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Australia
August 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Frock Shop Sophie Green Meet the Ladies of The Frock Shop Where clothes are just the start of the story Australian bestseller Sophie Green returns with a sparkling story about the beauty of the second-hand, the power of second chances, and becoming who […]
Who was Mr Batten
The lending library plays a major role in the life of the institute and services over 600 members. For most of its years it has been known as the “Reading Room” but was renamed the “Batten Room” in 2000. This was to recognise the first of two paid BMI secretaries and head Librarians: WH Batten and his son HC Batten. Between them they served in these positions for 92 years: remarkable terms of office.
William served from 1859 – 1910 and Harry from 1910 – 1951. William had two wives (the first died) and 19 children.
The lending library is part of the original 1860 building that comprised the reading room, library, office and two classrooms on the ground floor. A large hall, capable of accommodating 1200 people occupied the upper floor. The building cost around £3400.
Learn more about the history of the BMI. Book a tour.
