198 pages, indexed and illustrated. The front of the jacket is lightly creased at the tail, else in excellent condition, as is the body of the book, which appears unread. Overseas customers please note packed the book weighs over a kilo, thus increasing postage. "What were Mechanics Institutes? Every country town seems to have one and they are often impressive 19th century buildings. Free Library is usually emblazoned across the facade, but nowadays there is probably a gallery, museum or public hall in there. But where are the books? - and more intriguing, where are the mechanics? The answers are here. This book tells the story of one Mechanics Institute that is still operating as a library since its establishment in the 1860s. Along the way we learn much about how many of the other 1300 Institutes established in Victoria operated." (Front flap)