The library was named after Umberto Eco in 2016, the year of his death, following a resolution by the Regional Council. For this reason, a section of the library is dedicated to a selection of works by the intellectual and writer from Alessandria.
The library occupies an area of almost 1,000 square metres, with areas for consultation and study, two ‘absolute silence’ rooms reserved for reading and studying without distractions, an events hall and staff offices. The entrance also houses the Regional Council’s Public Relations Office and a counter for the Regional Executive’s Public Relations Office.
On the first floor there is a lounge area and a terrace. The basement houses the archives and the vault of the Banco di Sicilia, which has been preserved and converted into a space accessible to the public.
The library is distinguished by its focus on the history, art, culture and traditions of Piedmont. The collections document the region and enable visitors to explore the history of its places in greater depth. Over 60,000 volumes, 700 periodicals, digital resources and multimedia content are available, as well as a newspaper and periodicals room where visitors can freely consult the main national newspapers and magazines.
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