March 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Romanov Secret Chrissie Bellbrae A priceless Fabergé jewel. An empire on the brink of revolution. A love to dangerous to reveal. A celebrated artist’s painting holds clues to long-held family secrets and lives under threat, long after the fall of the […]
In Conversation with Chrissie Bellbrae Read More »
February 14 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm $10.00 Minerva Space Get tickets My Sweet Monster: A Cautionary Tale of Desire Tori Baxter Book launch for My Sweet Monster: A Cautionary Tale of Desire and live conversation event with Author Tori Baxter and Journalist Abby Dinham around motherhood, survival and domestic violence partnerships. My Sweet Monster
In conversation with Tori Baxter | Book Launch Read More »
December 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets It’s a Scorcher: Tales of the Australian Summer William McInnes Join actor and bestselling author William McInnes in conversation to talk all about his new book It’s a Scorcher: Tales of the Australian Summer – a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about those
In Conversation with William McInnes Read More »
December 7 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Free Minerva Space Come along and experience our Christmas Market & Book Sale just in time for the Festive Season FREE ENTRY Our Stallholders Book Sale We will also be hosting a book sale in the Library on Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December. These books have
BMI Christmas Market Read More »
February 25 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The One Remaining Paula McLean The One Remaining is a captivating story of overcoming loss, finding the courage to trust those who believe in us, and the self-healing power of writing our stories. Hilary Mason is thirteen when her sister Elaine disappears. She
In Conversation with Paula McLean Read More »
October 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets Winds of Change J Mary Masters Book 5 in the Belleville Family Series As a shocking betrayal unravels, a child’s future hangs in the balance. Cracks appear within the Belleville family. Against this background, a new house will rise from the ashes
In Conversation with J Mary Masters *This event has now been CANCELLED* Read More »
November 18 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets An Ill Wind Margaret Hickey A Small Town Divided – Secrets Are Blown Apart Author of Cutters End and Stone Town High on a hill above the small fictional Victorian town of Carrabeen, 300 wind turbines constantly spin. All except for one, now
In Conversation with Margaret Hickey Read More »
November 5 @ 7:15 pm – 8:00 pm Free Minerva Space Get Tickets Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi In conversation 2025 Stella shortlisted
November 5 @ 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Free Minerva Space Get Tickets Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel In conversation Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024
July 30 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library Rare Books in Mechanics’ Institutes Join our expert panel featuring librarians from three historic Victorian institutions: the PMI Victorian History Library (est. 1854), Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (est. 1859), and Athenaeum Library (est. 1839). Delve into the rich history of these community
Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics’ Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures Read More »
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop
Sunday 6 September at 2pm - Cost $65
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
