The Mechanics’ Institute in Prahran, near Box Hill South, will be among 10 such institutes throughout Victorian suburbs, cities and towns to receiving State Government funding towards upgrades to their service or premises.
The institutes, some dating back in excess of 180 years, were originally established to give free education, while also provide the community with a meeting place. About 10 still offer patrons free libraries.
Set to benefit from the $100,000 in government funding under its Public Libraries Funding Programme, which is on offer to undertake renovations, replace furniture, buy audiobooks and create internet access for the public, are mechanics institutes in Prahran, Little River, Maldon, Stanley, Talbot and Footscray, among others.
Established in 1854, the Mechanics’ Institute in Prahran is to receive $11,400 to put towards the upgrade of lighting in the library to make accessing its vast collection of reading materials so much easier.
Flyer printing campaigns often help to spread the word of major upgrades such as this that benefit patrons and the community in general.
Victoria’s Mechanics’ Institute is also to receive $30,000 to put towards IT upgrades, cataloguing, collection building and the redesign of its Useful Knowledge magazine, which is published tri-yearly and features news and scholarly articles from institutes within the state and throughout the world.
Today, Mechanics’ Institutes number 562. They continue to provide a place for libraries, events, talks, exhibitions and community groups.
Location
1 E. Ailsa St
Box Hill South, VIC 3128
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Phone
Hours
Mon: 9:00 - 5:00
Tue: 9:00 - 5:00
Wed: 9:00 - 5:00
Thu: 9:00 - 5:00
Fri: 9:00 - 5:00
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed