The four Italian (not central) National libraries: problems and possibilities

Abstract

The libraries of the main Italian pre-unification States (Turin National University Library, Braidense National Library, Marciana National Library and the National Library “Vittorio Emanuele III” of Naples) hold – together with the Central National Libraries of Florence and Rome – the highest concentrations of bibliographic heritage in Italy. In spite of that, for several years they have been afflicted by serious problems of building maintenance and of inadequate staff and funding, thus compromising the service quality and the possibility of planning new activities. All these problems are likely to undermine their image and popularity: this article suggests how these libraries can find new ways to relate to the public, especially through an adequate marketing and a convenient purchasing policy.