Membership

Membership of the library is open to all.  British Institute students have automatic membership for the duration of their course.  Schools, universities and study abroad programmes can benefit from our  Associate membership rate.  Please contact the Librarian for Associate membership prices.

Membership benefits

  • FREE Internet and computing facilities
  • Open shelved access to over 50,000 books
  • Borrowing of up to 4 books for a month*
  • Newspapers and journals in English and Italian
  • DVDs, CDS and videos for loan for a week*
  • Membership of the Talking Pictures film club
  • Reduced ticket price to films at the Odeon cinema
  • Events newsletter
  • British Library inter-library loan service

    Members are entitled to discounts at the following establishments on presentation of their British Institute card:

  • Palazzo Strozzi
    €8 entrance to library members instead of €10
    €4 entrance to students taking a British Institute course
    B&M Books and Fine Art
    10% discount

    Feltrinelli International bookshop
    10% discount on foreign language books

    Bistrot Odeon
    20% discount

    Marino Cafè
    10% discount on purchases above €5

    Oltrarno Cafè
    Discount on selected items by voucher from the library

    Carraia Gelateria
    €1.50 instead of €2 for a cone or tub, above €2 a 25% discount

*a refundable deposit of €25 is payable

To join the library you must have one form of identification (such as your passport) and a passport-size photo.

Membership prices

Full Membership

Student Membership

Family Membership

  • Annual €70
  • 6 months €55
  • 3 months €45
  • 1 month €25
  • Junior membership €15
  • Annual €55
  • 6 months €50
  • 3 months €40
  • Annual (3 family members) €100
  • Each additional child of the family €15

Life Membership

2 Week Research Membership

Day Card

  • €500
  • €20
  • €5

Group Membership

Educational institutions can buy a Group Membership for their students. The minimum number of students to qualify for this type of membership is 10 students. Group Membership rates are the following and include 1 free faculty member per 20 students:

  • 25 euros per student for 1 semester or 3 months;
  • 35 euros per student for 2 semesters or 6 months;
  • 45 euros per student for one academic year.

Special Membership Rate for Italian universities

Students and staff benefit from a 50% reduction on the normal membership rates.

Borrowing

All members (with the exception of 2 week and Day members) may borrow up to four items at a time. Books may be borrowed for a month, DVDs and Videos for a week.

To borrow items a refundable deposit of €25 is payable.