Biblioteca di Stato e Beni Librari National Library of San Marino

Overview

The Biblioteca di Stato e Beni Librari (State Library and Book Patrimony) is the national library of the Republic of San Marino. Housed in the historic Palazzo Valloni in the old city center, the library serves as both a public reading and reference institution and as the national library with legal deposit responsibilities. Since 1993, it has been a member of the Conference of European National Libraries (CENL), affirming its status as San Marino's national library.

History and Founding

The library's origins date to 1826, when the Regency of the Republic expressed its desire to establish a public library to cultivate scholarship among the population. It was not until 1839 that the Prince and Sovereign Council formalized the acquisition of the substantial book collection belonging to the Onofri family, housed at Palazzo Valloni alongside the pre-existing Valloni family library. The Valloni family library and the Palazzo itself were acquired in 1846, and the institution has been based there ever since. The library was officially opened to the public on 30 September 1894.

Collections and Holdings

The library holds approximately 110,000 books, documents, and pamphlets. Its collections include manuscripts ranging across different eras and subjects, around twenty incunabula, more than 800 16th-century editions, and a significant number of publications from the 17th through 19th centuries. Special collections include the San Marino Bibliography Section (Sammarinese publications and authors), an emeroteca (periodicals collection), a Documentation Center, antiquarian funds, the Pietro Franciosi Fund, and a Photographic Archive of Local History. The library also participates in the national Italian library network (SBN Romagna).

Notable Materials

The library holds autograph letters and manuscripts of historical significance to San Marinese culture. Its holdings of early printed books, particularly incunabula and 16th-century editions (Cinquecentine), are of scholarly note. Legal deposit under the law of 19 December 1957 ensures continuous accession of all publications printed in the Republic.

Access and Usage

The library is open Monday through Friday, 08:15 to 18:00. Researchers may access collections on-site; an internet station with free connection is available. The catalog is searchable through the Rete Bibliotecaria di Romagna e San Marino (OPAC SCOPRIRETE) and through the Italian national catalog (OPAC SBN).