While we’re eagerly awaiting the reopening of libraries on May 18, here’s a round-up of the online resources so we can get our literary kick from home.
Biblioteca della Toscana / ph. Marco Badiani
For those registered with any of the public libraries, the digital loan service remains active. Access DigiToscana MediaLibraryOnLine for thousands of e-books, audiobooks, music, newspapers and magazines (including a large selection in English) all for free. While usually only accessible for free to holders of the municipal library card, people can now sign up via the Comune’s website. The city libraries’ social media channels are constantly updated with entertainment and suggestions for adults and children. Particularly worth checking out are the Oblate Library’s page and the BiblioteCaNova Isolotto.
The Ludobiblio of the Meyer Children’s Hospital delights kids at home with videos of educators reading stories, poems and rhymes.
A literary competition is being hosted by Florence’s libraries. Stories, reflections and poems based on the quarantine experience are welcome. The best entries will be published on the Florentine libraries website. Entries must be original works, written in Italian, and between 1,800 and 9,000 characters long (spaces included). Send your .doc or.odt formatted document to promozione.biblioteche@comune.fi.it by June 15.
The Fiesole library has made a home loan service available. In partnership with the Fratellanza Popolare di Caldine and Misericordia di Compiobbi, Fiesole library members can call or email to make their orders of up to five books and five DVDs, CDs, audiobooks or magazine, which will be delivered to your door to be enjoyed for 30 days.
The British Institute of Florence’s popular Wednesday evening cultural series has taken to Zoom for a digitized version of their famed events. From history of art to literature and everything in between, you can follow their website for updates on their intriguing programme.
