I have a library card!

Why, some of you may ask, did it take Emily two months to scope out the nearest library and acquire a card?  That’s a good question.  I was asking myself that on Saturday, when I stumbled on the Biblioteca delle Oblate, thought oh, I think that’s one of the libraries our packet recommends, and wandered in to look around.

I knew, in theory, that libraries exist in Firenze, but I was intimidated by the bits and pieces I’d heard about how the system is different here (ie, often you can’t check out books, you need to pay an entrance fee, you have to show a million forms of id, you need a special letter of recommendation from Smith, etc, etc.) and I was just generally busy with other things.  But when I wandered into the Oblate two days ago, no one stopped me to ask for ID, and I discovered that it’s a very reassuringly library-esque library, with reading rooms, and a kids sections, and music/dvds and a section with popular fiction (as well as non-fiction, local history, some exhibits, what have you).   Except that it’s in Florence, so it also has a courtyard in the middle with wraparound (can you call them wrap-around if they’re interior?) terraces on every floor with tables and chairs, terracotta-tiled roofs, a large tree, AND A VIEW OF THE DUOMO.  Also free wi-fi.

Here is a picture of the view from where I’m currently sitting:

So you will understand why I had to put off studying for art history for a few minutes to write to you all about how I am now the proud owner of a Florence library card (all I had to do was show them my passport, fill out several forms, and wait while the very nice man behind the desk tried to figure out how to work the scanner) and a password for the internet.

P.S. The list of rules includes the usual: be respectful of the books you check out, put your phone on silent, the library is not responsible for belongings left unattended, please park your bikes in the area provided, etc, etc, but it also includes this rule (my favorite):

“I cani sono ben accolti, se con la museruola o tenuti in braccio dal proprietario.”

(Dogs are quite welcome, provided they are on a leash or held in the arms of the owner)

And yes, they mean IN the library, not just on the terrace (although not, as the rule politely goes on to clarify, in the children’s section or the periodicals room) (why the periodicals room?  Are they worried the dogs will attempt to carry off rolled newspapers?).  There is currently a mid-sized, friendly-looking, wiggly sort of brown and white dog next to me on the terrace, playing with a small plushy toy of brown and white dog.