In May 2025, the Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos M.P., announced a funding package of $9,000 for each of the eleven remaining Mechanics’ Institute libraries in Victoria. This followed a joint submission by Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria on behalf of the libraries.
The first Mechanics’ Institute, Melbourne Athenaeum, opened in Melbourne in 1839 and in subsequent years, it was followed by over a thousand Mechanics’ Institutes opening in small and large townships across Victoria. One of Mechanics’ Institutes’ objectives was to establish a library for the benefit of local people. These were the first libraries in Victoria.
Berwick Mechanics’ Institute & Free Library (BMIFL) which has operated in Berwick since 1862, was one of the libraries included in this funding round. President Corinne Brewis said while Berwick’s library greatly appreciated the financial support of the City of Casey over many years, other Mechanics’ Institute libraries were not so fortunate, relying on subscriptions, donations and successful grant applications, such as the one recently announced, to enable them to continue to operate.
She said the additional $9,000 was a very welcome addition to the library’s funds and had been spent on items to improve the display and movement of books in the library and the replacement of two older computers. The new computers which are for the use of the general public, are already installed and in use.
The BMIFL is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 5.00pm and Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Membership is free.
