The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale of Florence: Tradition and Innovation in Support of the Information Society

Abstract

The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale of Florence (BNCF) is the older, larger and richer of Italy's two national central libraries, the other being in Rome (that there are two is due to Italy's history). Its holdings include S.36 million printed books, 25,000 manuscripts, and 3,800 incunabula. Its origins date back to 1714, when Antonio Magliabechi donated his magnificent collection to Florence in his will. It was opened to the public in 1747. Over the years it accreted other fine collections of manuscripts and printed books, most notably the Medici-Palatine-Lothingarian library, which was united with it in 1861, the year of Italy's unification, when the BNCF was also designated ‘Nazionale’. In 1736 it was granted legal deposit of all works printed in Tuscany, and in 1885 of all works publications produced in Italy. It began to produce the forerunner of the national bibliography in the 1880s; this is a task it still fulfils as the national bibliographic agency. The present purpose-designed building was opened, after long delays, in 1935. Storage of many early books in underground stacks proved disastrous when the Arno flooded in 1966, causing enormous damage to books, catalogues and the building itself, and leading to a huge international rescue effort, as well as to the development of expertise within the library on conservation. The BNCF strives to maintain its status as the collector of documents of national interest and importance and also as a universal library. It has pioneered bibliographic services and automation in Italy, is continuing to carry out major retrospective conversion projects, and has an advanced OP AC. In 1999 a new Reference Room was inaugurated, offering a range of bibliographic searching facilities. It has an intensive programme of cultural activities, and takes part in various EC and other international projects and activities. It is currently involved, together with the other BNC in Rome, in the Quality System project, aimed at developing staff skills and improving management. Future challenges include organizing the information available in the library to serve the Information Society and realizing the Digital Library.