Rome reopened the Biblioteca Cornelia in Montespaccato, in Municipio XIII, on Tuesday 10 November after refurbishment works funded through the PNRR. It is the fourth of 21 city libraries in a works programme for energy efficiency and better use of spaces. The reopening gives the neighbourhood back a renewed cultural facility intended for people of all ages.
What the library offers
The building covers 735 square metres and has two study and reference rooms. It also has an events room, spaces for children and teenagers, exhibition areas and a room reserved for the three reading groups active in the library. Opening hours run into the evening and free Wi-Fi is available. The ribbon was cut by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Culture Councillor Massimiliano Smeriglio, Municipio XIII President Sabrina Giuseppetti and Simona Cives, Director of Biblioteche di Roma.
Why the city is doing it
Gualtieri said the city wants every neighbourhood to have the cultural infrastructure and services it deserves. He said Rome will reach 110 cultural venues by 2027. Smeriglio said the city is investing PNRR resources to give back more modern and welcoming libraries, strengthening a cultural network spread across all neighbourhoods. He described the Cornelia as a concrete example of this work, serving a particularly active community of readers.
The wider picture
The reopening follows other recent decisions on cultural spaces. Last month the Giunta capitolina approved the technical and economic feasibility project for the Casa della Cultura of Ostia, in the former San Fiorenzo market in Municipio X. Works there are due to start in the first quarter of 2027 with the outdoor areas, and the building will include spaces for reading and study and a literary café. Also last month, the Assemblea Capitolina updated the Carta per la qualità of Rome’s general plan, which now covers modern and contemporary Rome as well. The update added 72 works and complexes of architectural and urban interest. They include neighbourhood libraries such as the Biblioteca della Collina della Pace in Borgata Finocchio and the Biblioteca Laurentina.