The library that creates value

Investing in culture generates value and strengthens the community.

The Sirmione Public Library confirms its position as a cultural and social hub capable of generating tangible benefits for the community, not only in terms of free access to services, but also as a space for connection, learning, and shared growth.

In a national context where library attendance remains limited, Sirmione stands out for its broad and consistent participation. A point of reference for families, students, children, and adults, its offerings integrate book lending with courses, cultural events, creative workshops, and activities in collaboration with schools.

The Numbers

The 2025 data for the Sirmione Municipal Library reveal a project capable of generating social and economic value exceeding €453,000, translating into real savings for families.
Free books, films, courses, and cultural events—the value of which is calculated using ISTAT parameters—represent a tangible benefit for the community. Book loans alone equate to approximately €408,000 in avoided expenses, in addition to over €40,000 from courses and cultural initiatives.

Sirmione also outperforms the national average in terms of participation: while in Italy only 10-12% of the population frequents libraries, here nearly one in five citizens, or 19.29%, is an active user. This strong relationship has not been affected even by roadworks at the entrance to the library: over the past year, attendance at events has increased by 12.5%. With 37.5 hours of weekly opening, compared to a regional average of 14, the library confirms its position as a true cultural and social hub.

The loan figures also contribute to this positive trend: with a collection of nearly 39,000 volumes, in 2025, the number of loans exceeded 34,000, a 3.3% increase over the previous year. The 2.61 loans per capita rate places the Mario Ferrari Library among the best in the Brescia Est library system, a sign of its ongoing and nurturing relationship with readers.

In 2025, the library registered 2,024 participants in courses and events, a 12.5% ​​increase compared to 2024. Collaboration with schools also continues through reading competitions and activities for children in nursery, preschool, and elementary schools.

A place of unity

For Sirmione’s mayor, Luisa Lavelli, the library is, first and foremost, a place of unity: “Books are the building blocks of our identity, but the library is the mortar that holds the community together. These data also demonstrate the library’s concrete economic impact: offering free cultural services means investing directly in the future of Sirmione’s families.”

Roberto Salaorni, City Councilor responsible for the Library, emphasizes the crucial role of the staff: “The results achieved are the result of the professionalism of the librarians, led by director Lisa Vettori. Despite logistical challenges due to construction, the library has demonstrated extraordinary resilience. We will continue to invest to further improve its services. Another strength is the breadth of its offerings. From reading groups to language courses, the Mario Ferrari Library is a multifaceted space that engages all age groups and makes Sirmione a model of excellence.”

Courses, reading groups, and workshops

Alongside the Next Level English and German courses, essential for a tourist destination, there are also reading groups for all ages and interests: from the Sirmione Book Club Classic to the English language club, to the Sirmione Book Club Kids for the littlest visitors. The library thus confirms its position as a true cultural hub, the beating heart of city life.

Riding this wave of enthusiasm, spring 2026 ushers in a new season of experimentation with the “Il Movimento delle Storie” workshop (in Italian only). Curated by Giulia Tosoni and aimed at girls and boys aged 9 to 12, the project combines reading and art, drawing inspiration from the work of Alexander Calder. Participants will create “narrative mobiles,” light, suspended sculptures capable of telling stories through movement. The works will become part of the official Pietra & Co. 2026 exhibition. The workshops are scheduled for the afternoons of Wednesdays, April 1, 8, and 15, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

The library that creates value: the press release (in Italian only)

Biblioteca Comunale di Sirmione

In the gallery: some images of the Sirmione Municipal Library