Footscray Mechanics' Institute Library in Footscray, Victoria, Australia | Library

Footscray Mechanics' Institute Library

Locality: Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9687 1935

Address: 209 Nicholson St 3011 Footscray, VIC, Australia

Website: https://www.footscraymechanicsinstitute.org.au

Likes: 160

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Education
• Library

25.01.2022 We are now advertising for a Community Activator Librarian on SEEK. Part time position for a skilled and motivated worker who can grow our membership and further our aims- whilst fully respecting our philosophy and history. For the full PD and Selection Criteria visit our website.

24.01.2022 Putting together our safe return to service plan. Not yet, but soon. We are committed to providing a protective system for our members, staff and visitors which will include good hygiene, physical spacing and our 'clean' book regime. Trust you are all well and ready to return thru our doors, albeit in a changed way and a changed world.

24.01.2022 Staying positive in the hope that it won't be long now until you can make the "trek" into the covidsafe library and see us from a social distance..... It's not light years away dear members.

24.01.2022 Our President Nev using lockdown time to renovate some historic gems from the snooker room. Great use of this difficult time in readiness for when our happy band of volunteers continue their work in this special place.

23.01.2022 We will remember them.

22.01.2022 Whatever your postcode, we at the FMI library hope you are staying well and safe during this time. Work continues apace here with our catalogue accuracy update and the stocktake forging ahead. When we open there will be some exciting changes to behold! Also Librarian Cameron to meet and chat with Keep popping in here for opening date and times....

22.01.2022 Introducing our new Librarian Cameron. He, like us, is gearing up for our reopening as soon as we are safely able. Cameron brings decades of library experience and skills as well as enthusiasm to his role in our historically unique setting. A warm welcome to our FMI library and "family."

19.01.2022 Got a little work to do and after a peaceful desk? Need a spring read? Just want a sticky beak at our lovely little community library? In our rebuilding phase, were open today from 1 - 3 pm Wenesdays and Fridays. Say hello to our friendly volunteers!!

18.01.2022 ANZAC DAY and the Footscray Mechanics' Institute. The Australian troops who volunteered in the enthusiasm for war circa 1914 as Australia rallied to the British cause: this enthusiasm diminished over time and is exemplified in the anti-conscription debate, especially as losses were so shocking in the Australian context. In regards the local men of the Footscray region, many enlisted with great enthusiasm. Their unit E company of the 7th battalion was sent to Gallipoli, where... many were killed and wounded during the landing on 25th April 1915. See the info in the photo of info plaque at Footscray Drill Hall. The archives of FMI record the that the war impacted upon the FMI, in the latter part of the year ie 1914. The archives record that several members of FMI joined the forces. At least one Footscray Mechanics Institute trustee enlisted and went off to war, fortunately to return. His name was Mr. T.H. Young. The archives show that he was still on active service in 1916. The Annual reports of 1916 and 1917 contain wishes for peace. The Annual report for 1917 records the return of a Mr D. Sleap one of the FMI auditors. As for T.H. Young, he returned at the end of the war and Annual Report of 1918 on 4th December records he was heartily welcomed back. Lest We Forget [Thanks to Neil Farren of FMI Committee for honouring our Diggers]

18.01.2022 We are pleased to announce FMI Library reopens on Weds 2nd December. 10am-4pm. Weds-Thurs-Fri each week. A quick visiting window as we close again over festive season from 18th December. Existing members please visit to grab some books for your holiday reading. Prospective members can apply for membership ($5 fee), and will need their application approved by FMI Committee before they can borrow. We are located at 209 Nicholson Street, Footscray. Our contact phone number is 9687 1935. Please note: we follow covid-19 safe plans, so wearing of face-mask whilst visiting our Library is mandatory.

18.01.2022 We don't do self checkout at the FMI library but we do look forward immensely to seeing your face again as soon as we can open after this Covid19 situation. We watch the stats daily in hope as many of you do. Stay safe library friends.

18.01.2022 Author talk in conversation with Michelle Fincke, Committee member 10th October at 6:30 pm. Pop in and hear Sherryl Clark in person in the Readiing Room. Get onto it

16.01.2022 Sounds perfect!!! But if this is not your tradition please borrow a few of our wonderful collection to see you through the Christmas /New Year season. OPEN for borrowing and returns1-3pm Wednesdays n Fridays..

16.01.2022 Victorian shutdown time means our Pres has some free hours to devote to restoring the antique pool cue racks as well as the scoreboards.Removing the paint splashes, cleaning and repolishing the little wooden and bone(?) clamps...a satisfying and rewarding activity and a break from his jigsaws. How are you spending ISO?

15.01.2022 This photo popped up today on an historic Melbourne Facebook page and it's "our" corner. Just a hop from our library entrance which is open for business or membership and book renewal Wednesdays and Fridays 1-3 pm. Who remembers the trams and FJ Holdens rounding that corner?

14.01.2022 Empty chairs for a while.... In line with government orders coming into place at midnight tonight, the FMI library will be closed until further notice. We wish that all members and friends will stay safe and take every possible measure to protect yourselves and families from this awful virus. Thanks to our local community and worldwide essential and health services personnel. Bunker down with a book- and anything else that brings you joy and we look forward to opening again when possible.

14.01.2022 Soon we will be happy to release the chess pieces for members to enjoy a friendly game. The Reading Room provides an ideal warm spot for a winter chess challenge. Social distancing and cleaning of materials and books will of course be part of our new normal. Stay tuned for the re opening date

12.01.2022 Pop by on a Wednesday or Friday afternoon BETWEEN 1 AND 3PM to meet some committee members n return or swap your books.... Or just say Hi!!Pop by on a Wednesday or Friday afternoon BETWEEN 1 AND 3PM to meet some committee members n return or swap your books.... Or just say Hi!!

11.01.2022 Come in n borrow a Kerry Greenwood book from the FMI library! Read an exciting episode in this snappy flapper detective Miss Fishers life -written by our very famous and now renowned local author. And then catch the upcoming movie. Our happy volunteers will greet you on Wednesdays and Fridays 1pm-3pm.

11.01.2022 Hope you can make time to read this long weekend.

10.01.2022 Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of members will be held at the FMI 209 Nicholson Street Footscray on Wednesday February 19th at 6pm. Details of the business to be conducted can be found on the Notice posted at the FMI library. For any further details contact [email protected]

10.01.2022 Trust we all still have our senses of humour in tact. It's been a long haul but we stay optimistic that we are almost there

10.01.2022 Just a reminder that until further notice, we are open on WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY afternoons between and 1pm and 3pm for borrowings and returns, hanging out getting to know some of our volunteer Committee members- or just enjoying and using our space. C'mon down!!!

09.01.2022 A reminder that we at open for borrowings and returns Wednesdays and Fridays 1-3pm. Pop by n get your spring reading....pretty colourful gardens are a great place to relax n read.

09.01.2022 How are our members coping? Apart from reading what else are you doing to get through this challenge?How are our members coping? Apart from reading what else are you doing to get through this challenge?

08.01.2022 Today's good news is that we thinkour Tel-co has fixed our phoneline. With any luck if you want to call us on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon 1pm-3pm there is a good chance there will be a happy voice to answer your inquiry.

07.01.2022 Be like the bunny below....read stuff. Open today 1-3pm to join up or swap your books..... Alt..... Just pop in for a tour n talk.

07.01.2022 In our snooker room there are some remarkable objects...like this table iron....they will remain and take pride of place when our refurb of the space is complete. Our happy band of volunteers have a new project!!!

06.01.2022 Enough isocooking and Uber eating.....moving one day at a time towards the day we will be reopening for borrowing. Looking forward to safely welcoming our members back as soon as the regulations allow. And very excited that we will introduce our new Librarian Cameron to our FMI library community. Stay tuned folks!!!!

05.01.2022 FMI Past President, Life Member, local legend Keith O'Brien has selflessly served us and continues to contribute his sound advice and commonsense opinions on Committee. At almost 90 years young, Keith is one of our much loved and respected elders at FMI. Thank you Keith....

04.01.2022 BOOK REVIEW: "NEON ANGEL - A Memoir of a Runaway" by CHERIE CURRIE. I first discovered the Runaways, an all-girl rock n roll band from the USA in 1977. They were all aged 16-17, and being a 13 year old I thought they were "tough, older girls". This autobiography from lead singer Cherie Currie puts into perspective that they were a group of young girls, exploited and abused by music industry people such as Kim Fowley. If the events were placed in our 21st century world, Mr F...owley and cohorts would be serving lengthy prison terms for their criminal behaviour. The book does detail Cherie's tenure in the band, from 1976-1978, after which both she and original bass guitarist Jackie Fox left the group, following their trailblazing and successful Japanese tour. But the main focus of the book is Cherie Currie dealing with family breakdown, her parent's divorce, her dependence on drugs, and her being the constant victim of violence during this period. The book is dark, disturbing and heartbreaking, as Cherie is someone I've always admired as a singer and a person, and to read the hell she's lived through makes for an uncomfortable journey. The rest of the Runaways continued for another two albums, with both Joan Jett and Lita Ford finding fame and success as solo artists later in the 1980s. Cherie documents her fledgling solo career and her Hollywood acting career, and the book is left hanging at a bleak moment in her life. A short afterword details how she has turned her life around since those days, and skips quickly through her work as a youth drug counsellor, fitness instructor and mother. It also hints at her since revitalised music career. It would have been a great balance to see her turn her life around and find success again, but the book rushes all these achievements in the hastily written afterword. What the autobiography reveals is a dark, tormented existence of a teenage girl with major talent, used and abused by people in positions of power in which she trusted. The turnaround in her adult life would've made a good counter-balance to this autobiography, but we are left with a dark empty feeling after reading this no holds barred book. Rating: 3.5 / 5

04.01.2022 3,2,1....ready to roll. AGM about to start, made all the easier with our new tech approach. The 1st FMI AGM happening via this method, so really quite an historical event.

04.01.2022 Sport?Crime?Biographies? What's your fancy? We have it all and more! Pop by n borrow your next read. Wednesday n Fridays 1-3pm.....say hi to our happy volunteer helpers.

04.01.2022 Just kidding....but it really is up to you.

03.01.2022 One from our FMI Secretary Liz!

03.01.2022 What a fabulously designed book cover and intriguing title too!!!!!....kinda describing Social Media???..who knew when this gorgeous art deco design was created? Lots of literary gems being cleaned and shelf checked as we prepare for our reopening......soon.

02.01.2022 During a very successful and interesting AGM last night,two of our highly esteemed members were recognised. It was with great pleasure and pride that FMI Life Membership was awarded to Neil Farren- a very valued and hardworking Committee member. The 90th birthday of Keith O'Brien was celebrated with a delicious cake featuring his best mate and much loved black labrador.Keith has been an active member and friend who offers his practical and informed views on many local and FMI issues. We are immensely grateful to both of these volunteers and congratulate them.

02.01.2022 If you want to save on the cost, clutter n wastage of your favourite mags, come along and browse them in our beautiful, historic Reading Room. 1-3pm Wednesdays and Fridays.

02.01.2022 Library members and potential library members are welcome to the 2nd Ruth Rendell / Inspector Wexford Book Group, meeting at the Footscray Mechanics' Institute Library this Friday at 12 noon. An informal discussion group hosted by Neil from FMI Committee, the focus is on Ruth Rendell's Wexford series, and would appeal to all lovers of crime fiction. Rendell's first novel "From Doon With Death" was discussed at the last book group, not only looking at the literary merit and te...chniques, but also the cultural context of the times in which her debut novel was written. If you are unfamiliar with Rendell or Wexford, please do not feel out of depth, as this group is an excellent launching pad for people wishing to experience this great author, either as prior fans or absolute beginners. Date: 9th April 2021 Time: 12 Noon Where: Reading Room, Footscray Mechanics' Institute Library 209 Nicholson Street, Footscray, VIC, 3011 Bookings not required. No cost. For further information please call: Cameron (03) 9687 1935

01.01.2022 Lest We Forget - Remembering our Diggers and Nurses - April 25th 2021

01.01.2022 Closing on Friday 20th for a short Christmas/New Year break. So 3 more open opportunities for members to borrow your holiday reads. The Committee thank you and wish you and yours a wonderful festive family time. We look forward to seeing you early in 2020.

01.01.2022 Come along for a bookchat n a cuppa.....you are very welcome!