Library

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The FSU Florence Library currently consists of nearly 8,000 books that cater to our multi-disciplinary program.Our Library Collection specializes in Philosophy, European History, Italian and Ancient Roman history, Anthropology, politics, sociology, Art History, Italian Literature and American and British Literature. We also have a dedicated section for culinary culture and the hospitality industry. We are currently expanding our collection in the subject areas of women’s studies, climate change, psychology and business.  We also have a multimedia collection featuring a thorough selection of Italian films.

The incredible new Library in Palazzo Bagnesi will be unique for its stunning location in the arched courtyard of a traditional Florentine palace. The central open space is flooded in natural sunlight from the Library’s glass and steel roof and Library users will have the luxury of a full Italian cafe just steps away. The silent study areas of the Library will be equipped with computer stations loaded with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs, as well as DragonSpeak and audio editing software. Students will also be able to conduct study groups in our unique soundproof “Study Pod” equipped with Smartboard technology.

The new Library space provides opportunities for students to gather in an inspiring architectural space and fully focus on their work and studies.  Our students will have the tremendous advantage of a large and up-to-date library collection, access to over 500 online databases, and a dedicated Library staff who are happy to help with research questions and find any resources needed. The Library will also act as a social hub of Palazzo Bagnesi, where major holidays and events will be celebrated and where the semester will open and close with presentations from FSU Florence staff.

Our library collection covers topics which include the following:

  • Philosophy from Ancient Greece to Modern times
  • European History
  • Ancient Roman History
  • Italian Culture and Politics
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Psychology
  • Italian Literature
  • English and American Literature
  • Astronomy
  • Culinary Culture
  • Popular Literature

Donations made by the British Institute and Ambassador

In the Autumn of 2019, Mrs. Fiamma Alfani Davenport the late wife of Bernard Davenport, an Irish Ambassador and counsellor at the U.N.  Mrs. Davenport graciously reached out to FSU Florence to donate her husband’s extensive collection of books.  This collection of 2,000 moved with Mr. and Mrs. Davenport throughout their travels around the globe, first to Argentina then to Switzerland and then to the Holy See before finally settling in the Florence home of Mrs. Davenport’s Florentine family. The collection focuses heavily on politics, history and art history with a particular focus on Eastern Europe, South America and the Holocaust.

Additionally, The British Institute has offered to donate over 10,000 books from their extensive collection. This generous donation includes sections on Italian History, American History, the Suffragette Movement, Philosophy and classic and popular English Language literature.

FSU Florence is incredibly grateful for both generous donations, and we look forward to making all of these materials available in our Library in late Fall 2020.

FSU Florence Library Onsite Services

The Library will offer many services for our students and faculty. Students will be able to book exam proctoring with the Librarian, mentoring sessions, group study sessions and research assistance. In addition, Library staff will regularly deliver seminars and presentations focusing on building research skills, learning citation management, travel organization and safety and an introductory lecture for First Year Abroad students on the services offered at Strozier Library in Tallahassee. In addition, the Library will have year-round activities for students to interact and relax in the Library. These include the Seminole Sprit Rally before soccer tournament games, movie nights and exams destressing activities.

The Library will offer many services for our students and faculty. Students will be able to book exam proctoring with the Librarian, mentoring sessions, group study sessions and research assistance. In addition, Library staff will regularly deliver seminars and presentations focusing on building research skills, learning citation management, travel organization and safety and an introductory lecture for First Year Abroad students on the services offered at Strozier Library in Tallahassee. In addition, the Library will have year-round activities for students to interact and relax in the Library. These include the Seminole Sprit Rally before soccer tournament games, movie nights and exams destressing activities.