‘A New Reading Public’ focuses on five goldfields mechanics’ institutes:
Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (established 1859, abortive attempt in 1854)
Beechworth Athenaeum (established 1856)
Chiltern Athenaeum (established 1866)
Sandhurst Mechanics’ Institute (established 1854)
Stanley Athenaeum (established 1863)
These institutes have been chosen because of their important remnant library and archival collections
Goldfields Reading 