Library Collection of the Biblioteca Chirurgica Veterinaria

The Veterinary Surgical Library Collection originated in 1965 within the Biblioteca di Medicina Veterinaria when 244 volumes, including around ten antique works held at the Institute of Surgical Clinic and originally catalogued by Professor Cinotti, were transferred to the Library. This transfer was likely overseen by the then director of the institute, Professor Aldo Tagliavini, the then director of the Library, Miss Cesarina Barattini, and the then scientific director of the Library, Professor Luigi Leinati.

In June 2014 and again in June 2015, thanks to the efforts of Professor Diego Fonda—author of the study L’inventario dei libri della biblioteca chirurgica veterinaria dell’Università di Milano redatto da Felice Cinotti nel 1948, presented at the 35th International Congress of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine and the 4th Italian Congress on the History of Veterinary Medicine—the remaining volumes of the Collection were also transferred to the Central Library. Today, the Collection consists of 804 items.

The Collection, which has been maintained as a distinct entity since its inception, includes a manuscript, several antique works, and many rare volumes. A search in the SBN catalogue confirms that some of these works are unique to the Biblioteca di Medicina Veterinaria. The Collection should therefore be regarded as a historically cohesive body, defined by its original association with the Veterinary Surgical Library.