Civic Library

The “Giovanni Ferrero” Civic Library is one of Alba and the hub of the Langhe Library System, which brings together 39 municipalities and 4 associations. It is located in the Maddalena Complex, in the heart of the city (entrance at Via Vittorio Emanuele II 19), and combines consultation with a continuous calendar of activities, services, and initiatives for a variety of audiences.

The history of the library is intertwined with that of the city: the existence of a public library in Alba is documented at least since 1868, when the municipality adopted a provisional regulation for the civic library in the city college (now a classical high school). In 1870 the collection grew thanks to books lent for use by thePhilharmonic-Literary Academy and, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the library was named after Michele Coppino. In 1960 it was renovated (thanks also to the contribution of Ottavia Amerio) and dedicated to Giovanni Ferrero; after a temporary location in San Secondo, since 1971 it has been housed in the Palazzo della Maddalena and in 1987 the premises were completely renovated based on a design by the architect Ugo Dellapiana.

One of its most “contemporary library” features is the open shelf: a large part of the collection is directly accessible and the volumes are arranged by subject according to the Dewey Decimal Classification, thus allowing users to freely choose what to consult and what to borrow.

Inside the “Giovanni Ferrero” Civic Library it is possible to find, among other things:

• a local section dedicated to the city and the territory (Langhe, Roero and Alba area), useful for research, study and city memory
• reception spaces and services (loan desk, information) and areas dedicated to new products and small exhibitions
• a "relaxation" area and anewspaper library for newspapers and periodicals
• adults section, children's section, audio-video section and a consultation area with encyclopedias and major works