The Oblate Library in Florence, located at Via dell'Oriuolo 24, is housed in a former monastic complex of the Oblate Congregation, once used to care for patients at the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital. Over the years, the building has undergone significant transformation: after upgrading to meet fire safety regulations and eliminating architectural barriers in 2001, renovations began between 2004 and 2007, leading to the opening of the library itself. The reorganization included expanding the space by integrating the area previously occupied by the "Firenze com'era" museum and the Institute of Paleontology, allowing for an increase in collections (books, DVDs, CDs, multimedia stations) and improved library service functionality. The building is spread across three floors connected by elevators and stairs, with open-shelf areas, Wi-Fi throughout, including outdoor areas, internet stations, and a catalog consultation area. Admission to the library is free for members, who only need to show identification. Library hours are Monday afternoon and Tuesday through Saturday, with a summer closure from August 8th to 14th. The restoration and enhancement project included heating and cooling systems, a new elevator, restroom renovations, repaving of the courtyards and entrance, and restoration of the painted decorations and pillars in the cloister.
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