Mantova to Launch Larger Interlibrary Network for 130,000 Residents

Before summer, the provincial administration of Mantova will officially announce the merging of the interlibrary systems of Castiglione, Viadana, and Asola, creating a new larger network in the northwest of the city.

New Interlibrary System Network

It is the regional law that mandates the replacement of the current zonal systems and the creation of larger entities capable of better meeting the needs of library service users, who will thus benefit from a much more comprehensive and complex service.

The entity about to come into being, pending the final bureaucratic formalities and legal details, will include the current systems called ‘Alto Mantovano’, ‘Oglio Po’, and ‘Chiese’, as well as the autonomous libraries of Castel Goffredo and Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, and the inclusion of the private foundation ‘Sanguanini’ from Rivarolo Mantovano, serving a total of approximately 130,000 inhabitants.

Interventions and Future Developments

“It’s certainly a step forward in the library sector,” explains Giuseppe Bertoli, the culture counselor of Castiglione, who is among the early promoters of the initiative. “There will be large-scale functional and economic capacities, which will be developed thanks to supra-municipal staff with coordination responsibilities,” Bertoli continues.

“Additionally, there will be two specialized figures tasked with integrating the various territorial realities and supporting librarians from the individual municipalities, especially the smaller ones.”

Among the services already active and set to reach all areas of the new major system by the end of the year are a bookmobile for interlibrary lending, a children’s book showcase, and several exhibitions for schools.

“In the future, we are considering a broad cultural project, including museological and archival sectors,” emphasizes Councilor Bertoli.