Library of the Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia, Special library in central Rome, Italy
The Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia Library holds approximately 130,000 volumes and 900 journals dedicated to encyclopedias and linguistics. The collection spans a wide range of reference materials and scholarly resources in these subject areas.
The Institute was established in 1925 and received a major contribution from Giovanni Gentile in 1926 consisting of 18th and 19th-century encyclopedias. This early enrichment formed the foundation for one of its most important collections.
The library holds specialized collections including the Fondo Aldo Santi for linguistics and the Fondo Bontempelli from novelist Massimo Bontempelli. These holdings reflect how the institution built its collection through donations from notable figures over the decades.
The library is centrally located and grants access through an online catalog system for researchers, scholars, and faculty members. Visitors should verify whether their qualifications meet the access requirements before visiting.
The collection was recently expanded with the Cinema Encyclopedia, adding foreign publications dedicated to film history. This section shows how the institution has diversified its holdings beyond its original focus.
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