Turin 1893-1906. Early experiments for the creation of libraries for children

Abstract

The early twentieth century initiatives promoted by Clara Cavalieri Archivolti in Ferrara (later transferred to Bologna) and by the Consortium of Popular Libraries in Milan are well known as part of the birth of the first libraries intended for young audiences. Indeed about ten years earlier, a systematic project was promoted by the City of Turin that experiments the opening of five "circulating municipal school libraries". They differed from the multiple realities of popular libraries and were routed towards a concept of collection designed specifically for children and young people, open to home loan. Also different from school libraries, the Turin experiments were started in 1898 and continued with mixed success until 1906 when they intersect with the reality of the Provincial Consortium for Free Libraries in Elementary Schools. The article traces this early Turin experience, illustrating its specificities and placing it in the contemporary context.

Keywords

• childrenìs literature
• children's libraries
• circulating libreries
• innovative experimentation
• turin