17 Libraries

The extraordinary resources of the University of Bologna’s main library (via Zamboni), the Archiginnasio (Piazza Galvani), the Sala Borsa (Piazza Maggiore), and numerous departmental libraries are linked and accessible via the city-wide online catalogue known as the Polo (https://studenti.unibo.it/sol/welcome.htm). Students should keep in mind that many books cannot be checked out. Rather, many works they will use during their studies must be consulted in the library. Brief loan periods are available for students with a valid university ID; However, the number of books is normally limited to three at a time.

Some students find the small departmental libraries scattered throughout the city easier to use once they learn the sometimes limited schedules for these collections concentrated in particular areas of interest (art history, Italian literature, political science). The BCSP office has a small collection of frequently consulted reference works and some primary and secondary source materials.