Milan's Braidense Library, third in Italy, at risk. Director James Bradburne raises the alarm.

The Braidense Library in Milan, Italy’s third-largest library after the National Central Libraries of Rome and Florence, is at great risk if the situation in which it currently finds itself is not resolved. The alarm was raised by director James Bradburne yesterday at a press conference during which the library’s new initiatives, which we discussed in an article published yesterday in our magazine, were presented.

Bradburne explained that in 2005 the Braidense had 145 employees including 32 librarians, while in 2022 there will be only 27 employees including only one librarian: an unsustainable trend that could have very negative effects on services. And even now, with a skeleton staff, it is not easy to guarantee continuous openings: for example, Director Maria Goffredo has made it known for some time that the reference room is closed on Friday and Saturday afternoons, the manuscript room all day Friday, and the delivery service does not work on Mondays (all day) and Friday afternoons.

The libraries are, unfortunately, “little sisters” of the museums, and Bradburne explained that they cannot even rely on the income from ticketing or additional services. On the other hand, they play a very important and indispensable role, which is made available to the community free of charge. Bradburne therefore appeals to the state so that the Braidense can thrive.

For Bradburne, the solution could lie in a mix of public and private, for example by contracting out some services to cooperatives.

Milan's Braidense Library, third in Italy, at risk. Director James Bradburne raises the alarm.

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