Library
Library
The BSR Library, a specialist research resource, consists of c. 110,000 volumes (books and periodicals) and 600 current periodicals. The open-shelf arrangement encourages browsing which is essential for research.
The Library is a founding member of the URBiS network of 24 research Libraries in Rome. Our joint catalogue, with nearly 2 million records, is available at URBiS Library Network
One aim of the acquisitions policy is to provide those Italian books and periodicals which are not widely available in the UK, particularly exhibition catalogues, excavation reports and local publications.
Collections include:
- Italian archaeology: prehistoric, classical and medieval
- Greek and Latin philology
- Roman history: ancient
- Roman epigraphy and numismatics
- Roman religion, law and philosophy: ancient
- Italian topography, with special emphasis on the topography of Rome
- Italian art and architecture: Italic, Etruscan, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque
- Italian history: Medieval and Renaissance
- Ecclesiastical history
- Grand Tour travel writings
- Rare Book Collection
The Digital Collections website displays highlights of ongoing research projects with our Library collections.
Please Note:
General reference (000 to 039), The Geology and Geography sections (070 to 079), The Art History & Architecture section (300), the Religion, Philosophy & Law section (800) and the Series section (S1-S10) will be unavailable until further notice.
Staff members are available to help readers to identify alternative options for their research. Other copies of our books available in Rome can be located through the URBIS and SBN catalogues.
We will do all we can to ensure award-holders and readers can have access to the materials they need. We apologise for any inconvenience
The Library is open
Monday-Thursday 9.00-19.00, Friday 9.00-17.00
The Archives and Special Collections reading room is open
Monday-Friday 9.00-13.00, 14.00-16.30
PASQUA 2025
la Biblioteca e l’Archivio resteranno chiusi:
Lunedì 21 e Venerdì 25 Aprile
Giovedì 1 Maggio e Venerdì 2 Maggio
EASTER 2025
the Libray and Archive will be closed:
Easter Monday 21 and Friday 25 April
Thursday 1 May and Friday 2 May
The BSR Library and Archive are open free of charge to external visitors during opening hours. To join the library an application should be made in person.
Please bring:
Either a valid university staff card indicating that you are academic staff or registered PhD student, or a letter of introduction from your University or Academic Institute
a passport or proof of identity that includes a portrait photograph
Photo by Antonio Palmieri
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Library.
A self-service scanner and photocopier are available. Pre-paid cards can be purchased from the Librarians
JSTOR provides full-text searches of digitized back issues of many academic journals and can be accessed through the four dedicated terminals in the Catalogue Room.
Document delivery. The requested documents will be delivered in compliance with copyright legislation. Please send your request to the Library.
Photo by Antonio Palmieri
Donations
The Library is grateful to receive gifts of books relevant to its collections, particularly those resulting from research carried out in the BSR.
Donors are requested to contact the Head of Research Collections, including the title/s, before sending the book/s. Please check the BSR’s holdings on our URBiS catalogue to avoid duplication.
If we are able to accept the gift, the donor will receive acknowledgment of receipt and each book will include a ‘Presented by’ bookplate with the donor’s or designated name and will be included in a ‘List of Donors’.
Exchanges
The BSR’s publications include its annual journal, Papers of the British School at Rome (PBSR), a BSR monograph series, the BSR Archive series and catalogues of the Library’s Special Collections as well as other occasional publications.
The Library benefits from over 200 exchanges of periodicals with the PBSR and welcomes suggestions from institutions and individuals on possible exchange agreements for books or periodicals. Please contact the Head of Research Collections
Photo by Antonio Palmieri
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