The National Braidense Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense) is one of the 47 Italian State libraries.
It depends upon the Directorate General for Libraries and Cultural Institutes
(Direzione Generale per le Biblioteche, gli Istituti
Culturali e il Diritto d'Autore) of the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities
(Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali).
Reader admission and registration
Admission to the Library is guaranteed to Italian and foreign readers who are at least 16 years old and who have not
been banned from the Library with a specific expulsion measure.
In order to access the Library the reader must provide a valid identification document with photo and register
for a Reader Pass (modulo di entrata).
To access distribution and loan services please see how to register to the library.
Reading rooms and halls
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The Library has four Reading Rooms (of which three are specialised), one Room for the catalogues, the distribution,
the loan and the reproduction of the items and an Entrance Hall which can be accessed through the Steps of Honour
(scalinata d'onore).
The Rooms can be granted for events
(book presentations, conventions/conferences, promotional events, etc.).
- Entrance Hall
Maria Teresa Hall
Catalogues Hall
Reading Room (Sala Teologica)
Research Reading Room
Manuscripts Reading Room (Sala Manzoniana)
Microfilm Reading Room (Sala Decentrata)
Grand Staircase
Off-site departments
The library has three off-site departments, which are devoted to special materials:
- Mediateca Santa Teresa
- The di Santa Teresa Mediatheque is the multimedia division, where it is possible to access
digital resources fundamental for those who works in the field of information.
- Ufficio Ricerca Fondi Musicali
- The Office for the Research on Musical Sources, hosted by Milan Conservatory library,
works as national music catalogue and gives information on musical items
in Italy and abroad.