Open-Shelf Collections

The relocation of the collections of the new Biblioteca di Studi giuridici e umanistici is based on a thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis of data concerning the nature and circulation of the materials. The new arrangement of books and journals, developed from the analysis of usage data and from an assessment of the character and purpose of the collections, is intended to increase their accessibility and make them better suited to users’ evolving information needs and to new approaches to study and research.

The redevelopment of the spaces and the new layout will make it possible to place most of the collections on open shelves (approximately 20 km), directly accessible to users. Books and journals on open shelves will be redistributed across four thematic areas, each with its own distinctive profile but integrated within a single organised system.

The reorganisation of services will also enable materials stored in the stacks to be retrieved easily, facilitating integration between the collections and supporting users’ research.

The four thematic areas and the library spaces

Learning area (Sala Centrale)

Sala Centrale is the main point of reference for learning activities and hosts:

• collection of course reading lists for Law examinations
• selection of texts for humanities studies and books for Geography examinations
• reference tools, thematic dictionaries and legal codes
• section of Geography texts (in Sala B)

Humanities area (Sala Crociera)

In the Humanities Crociera (ground floor), the most important and widely used humanities collections of the library will be made directly available to users, a substantial part of which will be available for loan. The aim of this new arrangement is to increase the accessibility of the humanities collection and make it more responsive to users’ evolving information needs and to new ways of studying and conducting academic work.

The room will host the principal reference tools in the humanities, together with collections of sources and texts in the following subject areas:

• Modern literatures
• Classical studies and the ancient world
• Historical studies
• Philosophical studies

The room will also include a selection of texts in library science and several of the library’s main essay collections. One wing of the room will be dedicated to the most recent issues of all current journals.

Law area (Sottocrociera, Sala Common Law e Diritto internazionale, Area Pozzo)

The law collections, previously distributed across different spaces in the Via Festa del Perdono complex, will be brought together in the Law Crociera on the basement level. The area will include Sottocrociera, Sala Common Law e Diritto internazionale and Area Pozzo.
The new organisation, structured by disciplinary sectors, will enable more straightforward and rational use of the resources, which will extend overall across approximately 12 km of open shelving.

Sottocrociera

Sottocrociera, on the basement level, will house books and journals relating to the following disciplinary areas:

• Criminal law, criminal procedure
• Civil law, civil procedure, labour law
• Tax law, public law, constitutional law and administrative law
• Commercial law

Sala Common Law e Diritto internazionale

Sala Common Law e Diritto internazionale houses reference tools, thematic dictionaries, books and journals relating to the following disciplinary areas:

• International law and European Union law
• United States and United Kingdom law
• Law of other common law countries
• Comparative law

Area Pozzo

Area Pozzo will house reference tools, thematic dictionaries, books and journals relating to the following disciplinary areas:

• Roman law
• Legal history
• Ecclesiastical and canon law
• Philosophy and sociology of law

Special collections area (Sala del Settecento e Sala Senato)

Sala del Settecento will serve as the reference space dedicated to the conservation of the modern special collections and retrospective holdings of the Biblioteca di Studi giuridici e umanistici, enabling their improved management and enhancement. Sala Senato will serve as the reference space dedicated to the conservation of all rare book collections, ensuring appropriate protection and enhancement of the library’s valuable heritage. In this way, valuable volumes will be preserved in suitable environments and handled by staff with specialist expertise.