Italian Libraries in Crisis: A Call for Redefinition

Italian libraries have been in a prolonged identity crisis, with numerous initiatives aimed at redefining their role—from 'piazza of knowledge' to 'service center'—but these efforts have not yielded expected impacts. The author argues that interventions focused on access rather than fruition (use/experience) are to blame. Drawing parallels to other cultural sectors, the article notes that while digital access to artworks (e.g., Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights via Google Arts & Culture) or music has not replaced physical museum visits or concerts, libraries have failed to leverage their unique physical presence. The proposed solution involves segmenting library services to meet diverse user needs (professionals, students, children) by creating multiple specialized spaces in underused urban properties: gaming areas near schools, meeting rooms for startups near offices, study halls for university students, and high-comfort reading lounges. These would operate on a freemium model, with basic services free and premium services (e.g., coffee, reserved seating, on-demand films) paid, potentially through public-private partnerships. The author, Stefano Monti of Monti&Taft, suggests this approach could be more cost-effective than keeping the National Library open on Saturday evenings.