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Library LadiesParish Library

For over forty years, the Santa Susanna English-Language Lending Library has been a part of the life of the city of Rome. This library exists because of the generous service of volunteers, many of whom dedicate three hours a week, as well as the donations of books, new and used, from members. In 1998 and again in 2004, the Library of the British Council of Rome increased our collection to nearly 20,500 titles. The library is located in the building to the right of the Church of Santa Susanna, at Via Venti Settembre 15, on the Second Floor.

Moving to Italy, one soon realizes that finding books in English is neither easy nor cheap. English books are expensive as is to be expected in a country whose primary language is Italian. And so the Santa Susanna Lending Library offers an oasis to English-readers and keeps a regularly updated selection of British and American book titles.

Funding for rent, utilities, cleaning, insurance, supplies and of course, new books, all come from the membership subscriptions. The Library has family memberships (40 euro per year, with an additional but returnable deposit of 45 euro) which allow the borrowers up to 10 books for a two week period, renewable for an additional two weeks by phone or in person. Single memberships (35 euro per year, with an additional but returnable deposit of 25 euro) allow an individual to borrow up to five books. Subjects include literature from many countries (including current literary US and British titles), religion, art, archaeology, history (including a large section on Italy), travel, cookery, biography, romances and mysteries and thrillers. The children's section contains many classics and treasures now out of print.

Also, please note that there is a Used Book Sale coming up soon in preparation for Christmas (yes, it is never too early!). This is a great chance to buy some wonderful books for next to nothing for Christmas and help the library buy brand new books in the process! This sale will be Friday, October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM, Saturday, October 27, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and Sunday, October 28, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Fr. Greg has ultimate responsibility for the library but has delegated that responsibility to Fr. Tom, the Library Director. For the past three years Ms. Tonia White Soldi has been the Assistant Director of the library. She recruits and trains new volunteers, who are always needed, and has added fans and airconditioning last year, as well as computerizing the whole system. The library is open Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Fridays 1:00-4:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There are reduced hours during July and August and the library is closed during the Christmas holidays. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or becoming a member, please contact TONIA at the Library during hours (06.482.7510) or library@santasusanna.org Also, please note that when there is a transportation strike , the library is unfortunately closed. If, however, you want to drop off books in order to avoid necessary fines, please leave them in the Church with Bita or Daniel our sacristans (9:00 AM to 12 Noon, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) or with Rosanna in the Parish Office (Mon-Fri., 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM).

The Santa Susanna Library can be reached by email at: library@santasusanna.org