Libraries and cities. The public function of MiBAC's libraries

Abstract

The libraries affiliated to the Ministry for cultural heritage and activities are an uncommonly heterogeneous set. However, within their territory and cities they serve a number of functions similar to those performed by civic and municipal libraries (i.e. the public libraries as defined in the ISO 2789 standard).
The article identifies a series of statistical data and service indicators useful for determining which libraries, within this group, are actually performing those tasks. The variability of these data and indicators depends on historical and geographical factors, as well as institutional ones. A few libraries that best match the profile of the public library are identified, and for each one is provided a brief ID gathered from existing literature as well as from evidence provided by directors in charge, describing their history and services. Thus, it is highlighted the relevance of the libraries located in medium and small-sized urban centres, bringing out the common features that enable the Mibac's libraries to serve specific functions closely related to their territory.