Even if you still can't conjugate essere, you should still try to visit at least one of these Libraries in Rome as part of your semester in Rome. A few have staff members who speak English, however we have compiled a list of Italian Phrases for Library Users for your use.
A number of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions such as the American Academy in Rome and the École Française de Rome have outstanding research libraries in Rome. These are intended for the use of professional scholars and require special permission to use. However, they do make their collections easily searchable via the URBS Online Catalog:
Participating institutions include:
American Academy in Rome Library
- Via Angelo Masina 5
- phone: (06) 58.461
Library
- hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00
- email: library@aarome.org
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The Library of the American Academy in Rome contains over 136,000 volumes in the fields of Classical studies and the history of art and architecture. Especially strong are the collections in ancient Mediterranean archaeology and art, Greek and Latin literature, ancient topography (including the history of the city of Rome), ancient religions, and related fields such as epigraphy, numismatics and papyrology. There is a good working collection in the history of art and architecture, especially Italian. The rare book collection comprises chiefly 16th-18th century imprints in classical studies, archaeology, art and architecture, including sizeable collections of Roman guidebooks and early art treatises. The Library also houses small but noteworthy collections in contemporary art and architecture, landscape architecture, Italian history and literature, American literature, historical travel books and music.
The main users of the Library are the Fellows and Residents of the American Academy, but reading passes are also issued to Italian scholars, qualified Roman residents, and Visiting Artists and Scholars. Persons applying for a reading pass are generally expected to have a graduate degree and to bring a letter of introduction, but exceptions are made for the use of publications not available elsewhere.
Photo Archive
- hours: Mon & Thur 10:00-13:00, Tue and Thur afternoons by appointment
- email: photoarchive@aarome.org
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
Another significant resource is the Academy's photographic archive, which consists of several valuable and specialized collections of photographs on archaeology, architecture and art, as well as landscape architecture and gardens. It also includes special collections important to the history of the Academy, including a record of the work of past Rome Prize Fellows.
Reproductions for study and publication are available for a fee. For orders contact: photoarchive@aarome.org Many of the photographic collections have been cataloged in the database of URBS (Unione Romana Biblioteche Scientifiche). The Askew, Parker, Van Deman, Moscioni, Masson and Fellows' Work collections are on line. Other collections are available through the inventory lists
The British School at Rome Library
- via Gramsci 61
- phone: (06) 32.64.93.80
- hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00, closed during July & August
- email: library@bsrome.it
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The Library's holdings consist of @ 50,000 are monographs and 10,000 periodicals. Their holdings include: Mediterranean archaeology, prehistory, ancient history and texts; the history of ancient religions; ecclesiastical and medieval history; Italian topography, history of art and architectural history, and the writings of travellers in Italy.
The open-shelf reference Library provides the bibliographic resources and services necessary to support the research activities of the BSR. The Library aims to complement UK academic libraries through its holdings of local Italian publications and periodicals and welcomes all scholars, undergraduates and graduates, studying in any field relevant to its collections.
Readers' cards
Cards are issued on receipt of a letter of introduction from a university or institute, 1 passport-size photograph and a passport or identity card.
Photocopies
Readers can photocopy books in the Library using a magnetic card: Euro 1.5 for 10 photocopies, Euro 3 for 20 photocopies, Euro 4.5 for 30, Euro 7.5 for 50, Euro 15 for 100, or Euro 30 for 200 copies. Books larger than A3 size (@ 11x17) and earlier than 1800 cannot be photocopied; they can, however, be photographed by the reader using the copy-stand. The Library does not lend books or send photocopies.
The Library is a member of the URBS network of Roman research libraries and is in the process of transferring their collection information from the old card catalog onto the URBS on-line joint catalog. To date, the following sections are available on-line:
new acquisitions since 1992
part of the Rare Books collection relating to Italian topography
the archaeological section
the ancient history and texts section
the Italian topography section
(Vatican Apostolic Library)
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana
- Belvedere Palace next to St. Peter's
- phone: (06) 69.87.94.02
Reading Room
Mon-Fri 8:45-17:15
- email: bav@vatlib.it
Admissions Office
Mon-Thur 8:45-12:00, 15:00-16:00, Fri 8:45-12:00
- email: bavsegre@vatlib.it
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, or Vatican Library, is one of the world's oldest and most important research institutions. With holdings approaching two million, the Vatican Library collection is among the world's largest, and it continues the work of preserving, restoring, cataloging, and photographically reproducing its historical manuscripts, archives, books, prints, engravings, stamps and coins.
It is a professional research library whose collection is available to qualified scholars with permission, although with the advent of digital technology much of its collection is becoming accessible to a wider public.
(French School in Rome)
École Française de Rome
- Piazza Farnese 67
- phone: (06) 68.60.12.30
- hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Closed: August
- email: yannick.nexon@efrome.it
M. Yannick Nexon - Director of the Library
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The library occupies two levels of the Palazzo Farnese and has 180,000 books and 1,600 periodical titles. Whereas archaeology and history of the Mediterranean area remain the primary subjects, Italian medieval history, patristics, religious history and some aspects of French history are also covered. In 1994, the library joined the URBS network and its catalogue is being computerised.
The library is opened, from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. to all researchers working in the fields of Roman History and Archeology, Italian History or Medieval Studies. Only doctoral or post-doctoral students will be admitted, that is to say, those having completed the Italian "laurea" or the French maîtrise or any equivalent diploma.
Registrations will take place from September to June, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Identity card and two photos (or a professional card) are required. No registration will be made in July
(German Archaeological Institute)
Deutsches Archäologisches Institut
- Via Sardegna 79
- phone: (06) 48.84.973
- hours: Mon-Thur 9:30-19:30, Fri 9:30-18:30, Closed: July-Aug
- email: bibliothek@rom.dainst.org
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The library has 210,000 books and 1,900 periodical titles (1,100 current) with a focus on Mediterranean archaeology and related subjects. Use of the library is restricted to professional researchers. Students might be granted access with a letter of introduction.
While library materials are not circulated, photocopying services are available. The library is a member of URBS, and most of their collection is cataloged in the URBS catalog.
(Italian Institute of Medieval History)
Istituto Italiano Storico per il Medio Evo
- Piazza dell'Orologio 4
- phone: (06) 68.80.20.75
- hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 9:00-13:30, 14:30-17:00, Tue & Thur 9:00-13:30
- email: istituto@isime.it
URBS Online Catalog:
Instructions on using URBS Online Catalog
The Istituto Italiano Storico per il Medio Evo (Italian Institute of Medieval History) was founded in 1883. It sponsors research and publishes works on Italy's medieval era, and maintains an archive of historical documents. Its library collection (ca. 100,000 volumes) contains works devoted to medieval history.
The library is open to scholars with a letter of introduction from their academic institution.
