Our library

The Library of the Italian Cultural Institute is intended to provide circulating and reference collections to the general public as well as to students and scholars of the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). The collection of the IIC Library contains more than thirty thousand books and over nine hundred VHS tapes and DVDs.

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.




The Italian Cultural Institute is currently restructuring its library.
We are in the process of reducing the size of our collection to accommodate a newly proposed library facility that soon is to be constructed.
Since our newly designed space will not permit us to retain all of our collection, we are looking for suitable entities to which these books might be donated. Since these books are the property of the Italian government, we are prohibited from gifting them to individuals. Instead, they can be donated to such entities as public schools, institutions of higher education, and research centers and institutes.
All interested parties are invited to apply for donations. Please contact the Institute at +1 212 879 4242 ext.326 or at iicnewyork@esteri.it , providing all relevant information, including e-mail address, and phone number.


Reading and Reference Room
The Reading and Reference Room is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Seating arrangement can accommodate 10 users and includes a workstation for Catalog access.

Access to Materials and Borrowing Privileges
Requests to view or borrow materials must be submitted to the librarian on duty. As most materials are not open-stacks, it is recommended that users call ahead of time to make sure a librarian is available to retrieve requested titles. Reference materials, rare and art books, and damaged volumes may not be taken from the Library. For your protection, the Library staff may ask for identification in addition to your Library card, to prevent use of stolen or fraudulent cards and to protect you from being charged for the loss of materials you did not use.

The length of time materials may be borrowed is usually four weeks, but is subject to restrictions. Every effort should be made to return library materials on or before the date due. Fines are charged for materials returned after the due date. Fines are computed per calendar day excluding Sundays, holidays, and any other day the library is closed. A 50% discount on fines is given for senior citizens and the disabled. All fines should be paid when the material is returned. Borrowing privileges may be suspended at any time that fines for overdue materials have not been paid.

To renew items, review items borrowed, cancel holds, and learn what fines are owed, borrowers may call 212-879-4242 ext. 326 during regular office hours, or e-mail paolo.barlera.iic@esteri.it.  Patrons may also see their records and renew items borrowed at the public PC located at the IIC Reading Room during regular office hours.

How to Apply for a Library Card
Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in the states of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut is eligible for an IIC Membership card, after payment of a $40 yearly fee, which grants borrowing privileges. All applications for a Membership card can be made either in person at the Italian Cultural Institute or by mail to 686 Park Avenue, New York, NY10012. Membership approval is at the discretion of the Institute's administration. Membership cards are nontransferable, remain the property of the IIC, and must be surrendered on request. Membership may be terminated before the expiration date upon failure to comply with the book return policy.

To apply for a card:

• Adults must present current traceable identification which includes both name and address; for example, a driver's license, passport, utility bill, or valid student card.
• · Teenagers who are in the seventh grade and up or age 12 and older must present identification that indicates their grade levels or ages; for example, a program card, report card, birth certificate, or a letter from a teacher on school stationery. Please note that the IIC Library does not contain children books.

Lost Library Cards:
Report the loss at once. A borrower is responsible for materials taken out with the card until the card is reported lost or stolen. A fee is charged for a new card. To report a lost library card, please contact the Italian Cultural Institute at (212) 879-4242 ext. 326.

How to Locate Materials
Materials may be looked up at the Institute's public catalog (see hours below) or at the Library online catalog through the Internet.

Using the Online Catalog
The online catalog is available 24 hours a day to users on the Internet. Through the online catalog, users can:

• Perform simple and advanced searches (by title, author, etc.)
• View new acquisitions
• Create bibliographic lists and email to an associate
• Access the collection’s statistical data
• Access specific virtual resources available through the Internet.

To connect to the catalog, just click on Online Catalog on any of the Library's pages.

Hours & Location
The Reading / Reference room is open to the public Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Circulation materials may be viewed and/or checked out by current members at other times only by appointment with the Library staff. It is also possible for current members to have a book placed on reserve, either for consultation or check out.

Numbers to call
Reference & General information: (212) 879-4242 ext. 321
Appointments and other requests: (212) 879-4242 ext. 326
Requests can be also forwarded to: iicnewyork@esteri.it

Other Services
Audiovisuals
On-site screening of audiovisual materials may be arranged for and needs to be requested in writing, specifying the purpose of the request.

Photocopying
Photocopy service is 10 cents per page and is offered according to existing copyright legislation.

Information and bibliographies
On request, the Institute’s Library offers also information on public and private institutions in the field of Italian culture. Users may request (in writing) bibliographic repertories on the major topics relating to Italian culture.

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