Accessing the library

Issuing and validity of entrance cards

• In accordance with the internal regulations, access to the library is granted to anyone aged 16 or over. Magnetic cards allowing access to the library and management of all services offered by the institution are issued on presentation of a personal identity document.
  For registration, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who authorises and assumes responsibility for their access to the library, the use of equipment, and the consultation of books, periodicals, microfilm and multimedia documentation. They also grant permission for the processing of personal data and for internet use.
  Please remember to check the opening times for the Library card issuing service.
• The entrance card, which grants access to the modern general section of the library and to the Periodicals hall, is valid for 1 year and is automatically renewed for any users who have accessed at least one service over the course of the previous year.
• The credentials provided together with the card allow access to library online services and the Wi-Fi network.
• Access to specialised study sectors (the Consultation, Music and Manuscript halls) is granted on presentation of documented justification, and is authorised by the individual sectors in accordance with the procedures described in the relative paragraphs.

Access to the library will not be granted without a card.
In the event of cards being lost, forgotten or stolen, a duplicate can be requested at a cost of €5.00, to be paid via the PagOnline portal operated by the Ministry of Culture:

1. select “Account” → “Account come utente” (access via SPID, eIDASs or CIE (electronic identity card) or “Login without eIDAS” for countries outside the European Union).
2. once registration is complete, use the menu to access: “Pagamenti online” and then select the name of the institution (“Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale Firenze”) from the drop-down menu, and the service to be purchased (“Rimborsi vari e/o incassi di note di credito”)
3. enter the sum of “5,00” and the relative description (“Dettaglio causale”): T (followed by:) username and surname, username (Tax Code followed by the 7 numbers on the library card)
4. add to the cart and proceed with payment

The duplicate will be issued only after presentation of the payment receipt at the Card Office during the relative opening hours (please check the website for reduced opening hours in the month of August). A copy of the payment receipt must also be simultaneously sent by email to bnc-fi.info@cultura.gov.it. Further information is available by writing to bnc-fi.urp@cultura.gov.it.

Accessing the library

All visitors are required to leave bags and other personal items in the dedicated lockers situated in the wardrobe area.

The entrance for disabled people is located at no. 44 Via Tripoli. Assistance is provided by BncF staff on request by calling (+39) 338 6448210.

Pre-registration online

To pre-register online:

1. go to the Opac login page.
2. click on “sign up”, and fill in the form to receive an email with your username (Tax code + 7 numbers) and a link to set your password.

Pre-registration allows access to OPAC to submit requests to consult modern and antique documentation, which will only be consigned once registration has been completed. For access to the Manuscript hall or for loans, please contact the relative sector.

Pre-registration does not allow access to online resources, which will only be available after the enrollment process has been completed.

Pre-registration must, in any case, be completed within 15 days in person at the library during Card service opening hours

Recovery of access credentials for previously registered users

To recover credentials for access to the personal area and Opac services:

1. go to the Opac login page.
2. click on “forgot password?”, and enter your email, username (in the format tax code + 7 numbers) or telephone number You will be sent a link to reset your password.

Important information:

• If no email address was provided during registration with the BncF, or if your email has changed in the meantime, please contact the library.
• Do not click on “sign up” if you are already registered with the library.
• In the absence of, or expiry of, authorisation for additional consultation or loan services (Consultation, Music or Manuscript halls or Loans), please contact the relative sector.

Access to the Consultation and Music halls

Access to the Consultation and Music halls is granted by the hall manager, and is subject to:

• presentation of documentation confirming professional status for teachers of all levels and stages, researchers, librarians, archivists, art historians, archaeologists, etc.
• presentation of certification from a university specifying the duration of the course, or of a university membership card for doctorate students, scholarship holders and post-graduate specialisation students.
• presentation of a letter from a university professor for degree or other students.

Applicants who do not fall into the aforementioned categories and who require access to the halls for research purposes may submit documentation from a sponsoring organisation or fill in a self-declaration form.

Authorisation is valid for 1 year and may be renewed.

Contacts:
bnc-fi.consultazione@cultura.gov.it
tel. (+39) 055.2491945

Access to the Manuscripts and Rare Books hall

Access to the Manuscripts and Rare Books hall is granted by the hall manager, and is subject to:

• presentation of documentation confirming professional status for teachers of all levels and stages, researchers, librarians, archivists, art historians, archaeologists, etc.
• presentation of certification from a university specifying the duration of the course, or of a university membership card for doctorate students, scholarship holders and post-graduate specialisation students.
• presentation of a letter from a university professor for degree or other students.

Applicants who do not fall into the aforementioned categories and who require access to the halls for research purposes may submit documentation from a sponsoring organisation or fill in a self-declaration form.

Authorisation is valid for 1 year and may be renewed.

Please note that pencils and computers are the only note-taking tools permitted in the Manuscript hall.

Contacts:
bnc-fi.manoscritti@cultura.gov.it
tel. (+39) 055.2491951

Guided tours

Group guided tours are available for both the building and the various internal sectors, as well as the library collections, by reservation only and in accordance with the procedures set out on the Educational activities page.

A guided tour of the library for individual visitors is available every first Saturday of each month, August excluded, at 10.30 a.m., for a maximum of 25 people, by reservation only via Eventbrite.

Link utili

• BncF Internal Regulations (updated as of March 2021)
• Self-declaration form