Each life is an encyclopedia, a library, an inventory of objects, and everything can be constantly shuffled and reordered in every way conceivable.
~ Italo Calvino
The “Lorenzo Da Ponte” Library at the Italian Cultural Institute hosts circulating and reference collections for the general public as well as students and scholars. The collections of the IIC Library amount to more than thirty thousand books.
Acquisitions are made through the purchase of recent publications, the endowment of special releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, contributions by publishers, and donations by private citizens.
Our library is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.
Reference & General information:
Tel:(212) 879-4242
email:: iicnewyork@esteri.it – Please, carefully review our access rules.
Users may request books from our collection using this form or selecting prenota through the search catalogue.
Policy for loans and consultation
Everyone is welcome to borrow books for free.
Books – no more than 3 at the same time – may be borrowed for a 4-week time limit. Late returns will result in a 6-month suspension from borrowing rights.
In the event that a borrowed item is lost or damaged, the user will be required to cover the cost of the replacement.
