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The European Library
ITALY
This page is maintained by
Mr. Piero Metelli
The Central National Library of Florence
| Website | http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/ |
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| Official Name | Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze |
| Abbreviation of library name | BNCF |
| Name in English | The Central National Library of Florence |
| Director or Chief Executive |
Dr. Antonia Ida Fontana |
| Deputy directors |
| The Central National Library of Florence | |
| Street Address | Piazza dei Cavalleggeri 1 50122 Florence ITALY |
| Phone | +39 55 249191 |
| Fax | +39 55 2342482 |
| info@bncf.firenze.sbn.it | |
| The Central National Library of Florence |
| Admission is only granted to those over sixteen years old with a valid identification document. As a result of the recent automation of user services in the library, a magnetic card will be issued at the front desk. This card, which will be valid for a limited period, subject to renewal, can be used for admittance to the Library and for all the procedures inside the Institute. A yellow card, the most generally used, allows access to the modern section of the Library (covering books printed since 1886), including the Periodicals Reading Room. For admission to particular sections (Specialized, Music and Manuscript Reading Rooms) authorization from the relative sectors is required. The four different types of card are available as follows:
Users bags and other personal materials must be deposited in the security boxes inside the cloakroom. Lap-top computers are allowed and may be connected to the main electric switchs at disposal in the Reading rooms. Cameras and personal scanners are not allowed in the Library. Users of the modern section of the Library cannot bring personal books into the Library unless they hold a special permit allowing this for reasons of study. Applications for a permit may be made at the entrance. Permits must be produced whenever a personal book is brought in. Individual "touristic" visits to the Library are not allowed: however at request the Institute organizes guided tours by appointment both to the building and to the different collections. A topographical plan indicating the various services offered by the Library with details of the opening hours of each section is located immediately behind the porters' desk at the entrance. Reading of Modern Books All works printed after 1886 are defined as modern books: there are normally no restrictions to the consultation of these works inside the Library. To request a book it first is necessary to search in the catalogues for its call number, then to fill out the relative form using one of the personal computers available in the Catalogue Room: the book will be made available shortly afterwards at the Distribution desk on presentation of an identity document. The book may be consulted in the Reading Room. A maximum of three requests may be made at the same time, books may be reserved for the following days and may be held in deposit by the user for three days. The originals of newspapers printed before 1984 are stored in the Newspapers collection of Forte Belvedere, those subsequent to 1984 in the Periodicals Reading Room inside BNCF, where is possible to view all the periodical microfilms held by the Library. Reading Room After the damage by the flood of 1966 the Reading Room was brought back to its original appearance in 1990. Tables are provided with individual lights and main switches for lap-top computers. The Reading Room is divided in two parts. Free access is given to general reference sections organized according to the different subjects, to the Italian National Bibliography, to the collective catalogue 1886-1957 (CUBI) of the "Bollettino delle pubblicazioni italiane ricevute per diritto di stampa dalla BNCF" and to the main general encyclopedias. Periodicals Reading Room Free access is given to the last three years, holdings of approx. 2000 periodicals, divided by subject. The more recent issues of some periodicals are exhibited in showcases. It is possible to ask for xerocopies of these periodicals. The Periodicals Reading Room has a bibliographical apparatus consisting in a section of reference books and directories on periodicals. Also available are catalogues of the periodicals to be found in the Periodicals Reading Room, one arranged by title, the other topographic, as well as an up-dated catalogue of periodicals on microfilm. A catalogue of microfilmed parliamentary proceedings (1948-1953) and a catalogue of periodicals held by other city libraries are also at readers' disposal. In the Periodical Reading Room the following can be consulted: the originals of newspapers since 1985 (with call numbers Ga, Ge, Gi), all periodicals with call number G, and all microfilm consultation of the original is only permitted if absolutely necessary. Photocopies can be made from existing microfilms but not from originals, which can be reproduced on new microfilms at the reader's expense. Information Office The office operates throughout Library opening hours. Its main task is to help uses in their research, by indicating the most appropriate bibliographical tools. The consultation of all card catalogues and the assistance in the identification of materials which are difficult to locate are the responsibility of this office. The Information Office has a considerable bibliographical apparatus: biographical, chorographical and heraldic directories, retrospective Italian bibliography, Italian and foreign catalogues of books in print, national and international directories of periodicals, periodicals catalogues of other libraries, indexes of translations, directories of national and international cultural institutes. A "desiderata" register is at users' disposal to propose the acquisition of books that BNCF does not hold. Requests for microfilm reproductions or photographs of modern materials must be made to this office. Specialized Reading Room Specialized Reading rooms are reserved for the search of bibliographical information and the research of documents held by the Library, by means of a considerable bibliographical apparatus. These rooms are also reserved for the reading of texts from the antiquarian collections (Platino and Magliabechiano), the special collections, all restored books (by prior arrangement) and, in general, all books printed before 1886. Moreover in Specialized Reading Rooms it is possible to consult modern publications on request and deposit is permitted both for antiquarian and modern material. Admission is allowed to all those readers who, for reasons of study or work, carry out scientific research which cannot be done in other libraries or in other sectors of the BNCF. Admission is subject to the following procedures:
Users are given a red magnetic card valid for a limited period for admission to the Specilalized Reading Rooms. These cards are subject to renewal. The Specialized Reading Rooms, created in 1908, possess an important bibliographical apparatus (more than 50.000 volumes) subdivided by subject according to a traditional classification of disciplines: encyclopaedias, biographies, bibliographies, jurisprudence, philosophy and theology, modern literature, Italian literature, social sciences, history, fine arts, geography, medicine, mathematical and physical sciences, natural sciences and technology. Furthermore there is a section comprising collections of texts (Italian, Greek, Latin and ecclesiastical texts, historical sources), a section for dictionaries and for local history sources. Access to these material is free, but a user can of course ask for a librarian's help. The entire bibliographical apparatus of the Specialized Reading Rooms is available through a dictionary-catalogue, namely in alphabetical order which gives headings by author, title and subject. The catalogue includes the bibliographical descriptions of three special collections (Rinascimento, Bonamici and Olschki). Manuscript Reading Room The Manuscript Reading Room is reserved for the consultation of manuscripts, incunabola and collections of autographs held by the BNCF. Moreover the Manuscript section holds some rare antiquarian collections of printed books (Rari Platini and Magliabechiani, Annotated texts, geographical maps, very limited editions, etc.). Manuscripts, incunabola, collections of letters and other special printed collections (i.e. Guicciardini) are described in apposite manuscript or printed catalogues or topographical inventories available in the Manuscript Reading Room. Other printed collections like Landau- Finally, Annotated texts, Banco Rari, conserved in the Manuscript section, are described by the general catalogues of the library. Admission to the Manuscript Reading Room and other related procedures are authorized by the Director of Manuscripts. Italian university and secondary school teachers are admitted on producing a ministerial card. For all other categories a letter of reference is necessary. A green magnetic card of limited validity admits users to the Manuscript Reading Room. This card is subject to renewal. With the exception of the above catalogues and inventories, the bibliographical apparatus available in the Manuscript Reading Room is made up of the section of general bibliography used by the Specialized Reading Rooms, of which it is an integral part. Specific rules govern the reproduction of material in this sector, which can only be obtained in the form of photographs or microfilm even if strictly limited to purposes of study. During consultation the reader may only use pencil. It is forbidden to leave unattended material on tables or to entrust it, even temporarily, to another reader. Lap-top computers without a case are allowed; scanners are not allowed. Music Reading Room Founded in 1969 the Music Reading Room is responsible for all manuscript and printed musical collections of BNCF. The Music Reading Room is dedicated to the study of all editions of music or musicology held by the BNCF (musical theory texts, scores, etc.) and to information retrieval on music and musicology. It is also possible to obtain for consultation any other book held by the Library, with the exception of the materials which come under the jurisdiction of the Manuscript Reading Room. Admission is authorized by the Director of the Music Reading Room. A pink magnetic card, valid for a limited period, admits users to the Music Reading Room and to the Specialized Reading Rooms. It is subject to renewal. The Music Reading Room is endowed with a bibliographical apparatus for music. It holds the most important musical periodicals of historical interest as well as the most important new musical periodical titles. A piano is available for the examination of the Library' music collections. The Music section maintains cooperation with corporations and institutions involved in musical and musicological research, encourages activities aimed at the advancement of the musical collections of the BNCF and promotes musical events inside the library (concerts, seminars, meetings, etc.). Engravings Section Founded in 1970, four years after the flood, when a specialized section became necessary for materials which had been particularly damaged. The Engravings Section is not generally open to the public, but, on request at the entrance, it is possible to arrange to meet the librarian and obtain specialized information, suggestions and help with research. The Engravings Section promotes the presentation of new books, conferences, exhibitions of iconographic materials both belonging to the BNCF and external to it. Minor Publications Section Since 1870 publications are defined as "minor" when not of conventional circulation. They are often in the form of booklets published on the occasion of particular events, or of associate, commercial or other activities: regulations, statutes, company institute or association accounts, exhibition programmes, sale catalogues, bibliographical pamphlets, almanacs, telephone directories, tourist guides, postcards, etc. These materials are described in part in the Library catalogues (i.e. classified as "alm.", "biogr.", etc.), in part in specialized bibliographical directories. In other cases there is no catalogue description and this material is arranged in a special section, where it is classified in "groups" (tourist guides, publishers catalogues, etc.) or by company (FIAT, Monte dei Paschi, etc.). For these publications special catalogues and classification schemes can be consulted on request. Reproductions Service: Photocopies and Microfilms One of the main duties of BNCF is to preserve its collections. In consequence certain restrictions are imposed particularly with regard to reproduction by photocopy, which is not allowed for the following:
Requests must be transmitted by use of the personal computers in the Catalogues Room. Photocopies are available for collection during counter opening hours, as indicated by notices displayed in the catalogue Room, from the date indicated by the computer terminal on the day the request is made. It is also possible to request photocopies from microfilms belonging to the microfilm archive of the library. When photocopies are not allowed it is normally possible to obtain reproductions by photographs or by microfilm. These reproductions are produced by authorized private firms. Requests must be made: to the information Office for periodicals or books printed since 1886; to the Specialized Reading Rooms for books printed before 1886; to the Manuscript Reading Room for all materials in the care of this section. The prices for microfilm reproductions are available on request. Reproductions of microfilms and photocopies are authorized by BNCF for study reasons only. Reproductions for publishing or similar use must be made in writing to the Director of the Library. Loan Office All Tuscan residents of 18 years-of-age and over are eligible for local loan service. Certain categories of citizens may also obtain loans for limited periods of time. Further information can be obtained from the office. Loan requests must be transmitted by means of personal computers at the disposal of readers in the Catalogues Room. It is possible to have two titles on loan the same time (a maximum of three volumes). Loans are not allowed for the following:
Interlibrary loan is available. Forte Belvedere Newspaper Collection Since 1992 BNCF has set up a branch section inside Forte Belvedere. For reasons of space all originals of newspapers with call numbers Ga, Ge, Gi printed up to 1984 can be found here. These originals are made available for reading when corresponding microfilms do not exist in the central building. The section relative to comics up to 1988 (identified by the abbreviation FM plus a number) is also stored in Forte Belvedere: in general this section is not available for consultation, unless particularly authorized by the Director of BNCF. For admission to Forte Belvedere Newspaper collection the magnetic card for general access to the library is necessary with a document of identification. |
| The Central National Library of Florence |
| The Library is open:br/> * 9:00 - 19:00 (Monday to Friday) * 9:00 - 13:00 (Saturday) Restricted opening hours:
Days of closure:
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