Aree tematiche e biblioteche leggere

Abstract

The transformation of the role that public libraries take on in large metropolitan areas is analysed, in favour of activities of social inclusion, reconstruction of community welfare and strengthening of participatory culture processes. In particular, new models to organize bibliographic resources based on thematic areas are examined in order to increase the overall legibility of the library’s services. The light library model provides a prevalent destination of space for activities and a limitation of the total space reserved to the collections. The choice to place the resources in a small group of “thematic areas” is analysed with reference to some Italian experiences (Biblioteca del Centro culturale Il Pertini, Cinisello Balsamo; Biblioteca San Giovanni, Pesaro; Biblioteca di San Giorgio, Pistoia; Biblioteca Collina della pace, Rome).