Italy's Art Libraries: Borrowing Original Artworks Like Books

The concept of art libraries (artoteche) is spreading across Italy, allowing citizens to borrow original artworks for free, following the same procedure as book loans. The latest to join is Spino d'Adda in Lombardy. The idea originated in Central Europe in the late 1950s and spread to Germany, the Netherlands, and France in the 1960s-70s. In Italy, Cavriago (Reggio Emilia) was among the first, hosting the only public art library at the Multiplo cultural center since 2013. Its catalog includes about 150 works by 40 artists, including pieces by Calder, Chagall, Capogrossi, and Luzzati. Loans last 45 days. Also in 2013, South Tyrol launched an art library through five provincial libraries coordinated by Cooperativa 19 in Bolzano, with a 90-day loan period and an online catalog. Artists can apply to join via a call (2025 call just closed), selected by an artistic committee, with works lent for three years. The catalog includes collages, serigraphs, paintings, installations, and sculptures. Other examples: Pistoia's Biblioteca San Giorgio (since 2017, works up to 50x70 cm by local artists), Gorlago (Bergamo, 50 framed works, 60-day loan), Domodossola (Piedmont, first art library in the region, opened 2021 at Collegio Rosmini), and Spino d'Adda (active for one year, loans only to residents, focusing on artist books).