Welcome to the library of the Italian Cultural Institute!
The library of the Italian Institute of Culture of Chicago offers consultation and lending services to the public, with a catalog of almost 4000 titles including books and DVDs. The collection includes, among others, a large section dedicated to Italian fiction, specialized and thematic collections, and a section dedicated to children and young readers.
The library material is updated through the purchase of recent publications/productions, including the original editions produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, and thanks to donations from private individuals and from publishing houses.
Catalog
The library catalog can be used to:
- Simple or advanced searches (e.g. by title or author) on available materials;
- Check new acquisitions;
- Compile bibliographic lists and send them via e-mail to different recipients;
- Propose new purchases;
- Obtain information and statistics about the library;
- Access the virtual resources of Italian language, literature and culture available online.
CLICK HERE TO CONNET TO THE CATALOG
Members of the Italian Cultural Institute receive a complimentary subscription to our Media Library and Italian Newsstand, MLOL.
The digital lending platform grants you access to some of the most prominent Italian and international newspapers, and the largest collection of content from all Italian libraries, allowing you to connect to the first Italian network of public, academic and scholastic libraries. To date, this network includes more than 5,500 libraries from 19 Italian regions and 9 foreign countries.
Library Hours
The reading/reference rooms are open to the public Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4.30pm. Entry is free. For afterhours visits, please email iicchicago@esteri.it
Books and periodicals can be read in the two reading rooms. On-site listening/screening of audiovisual materials cannot be arranged.
Borrowing Privileges
Library materials, except for parts of the collection that cannot be moved for conservation reasons, can be borrowed for a maximum of 30 days (books) or 15 days (DVD). Please note that a $50 cash deposit is required and will be refunded upon return of the materials.
IIC members can use the loan service without the payment of a deposit.
The loan can only be renewed once by phone or e-mail to iicchicago@esteri.it
Late returns are subject to a $50 fee, for returns that are more than 15 days late.
In case of lost or damaged item, the cash deposit of $50 will not be returned. IIC members, to whom cash deposit does not apply, will be charged a $50 fee upon return.
Disclaimer
The Italian Cultural Institute may not be held liable for any infringement and / or breach of Copyright Laws and Regulations perpetrated by the borrower of such materials. Publications borrowed remain the property of the Italian Cultural Institute at all times.
