The Ballarat mechanics' Institute has an on-line database of all the Reference titles in the collection, including the biography and autobiography section of the lending library.

This database of around 16,000 books contain many historic and unusual publications in the shelves of the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute. They are available to members for use in the Reading Room at the Institute.

This collection also contains all the non-fiction contemporary titles that are kept up to date, and also includes all non-fiction books that may be taken on loan by members.

The collection includes books from 1680 to the latest titles.

The collection can be accessed in many ways, such as by title, author, keywords and category. Please note that some nineteenth century fiction (e.g. Dickens, Mark Twain etc.) may be here.

In order to preserve them for reference use, titles published before 1950 are regrettably, unavailable for loan. However they are still accessible for reading and research at the library. Please see the Librarian if you wish to view any book or article.

Please follow the links to the method of your choice. Search by:

• Author by inserting your choice of author. Part words are acceptable.
• Title of the publication.  Part words are acceptable.
• Category by choosing the category from a list.
• Keyword by inserting your choice of keyword.
• Year that article has been published.
• Dewey number by choosing the number from a list, or insert the broad number.

Research Applications for Access to Physical Records