THE DIOCESAN LIBRARY MONS. PIETRO ROSSANO

The first mention to the Library dates back to 29th of October 1815, when the abbey Pietro Paolo Giraudi, who was the archdeacon of the Chapter of the Cathedral, made his testament. However, even before the Seminary was provided with a library. The oldest volumes were donated by Mons. Nicola in 1834 and by Mons. Fea in 1855. Instead, the most recent book heritage was created thanks to the bequests of some priests such as Father Bussi, Father Rossano (to whom the library is dedicated), Father Gaia, Father Triverio, Father Bussi and Father Stella and to the bequeathed of some laic people. It is necessary to remember the collection of legal matter who was donated by the lawyer Carlo Silvano. He was also the mayor of the City of Alba in the middle of the XIX century.

In 1937, Father Bussi made a first reorganisation of the books and thanks to the help of some clerics, he completed a card index. Moreover, as headmaster of the studies, he instituted the “Library of the Clerics” for the detailed high school and theological studies.

Nowadays, the book patrimony consists of 30.000 volumes of different matters: moral and dogmatic theology, philosophy, patristic, history, ecclesiastic history and literature. Besides, there are volumes of local interest and periodic volumes of religious matter. Finally, the Library owns manuscripts, incunabula, 16th-century and other old editions.

In the past, it was dedicated to Saint Thomas Aquinas, the great theologian and doctor of the Church, who lived in the XIII century. Now it is dedicated to S.E.R. Mons. Pietro Rossano (1923-1991), Titular Bishop pf Diocleziana, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University who studied in this Seminary and in this Library.

The Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Alba and the Management of the Seminary coordinate the activities of the Diocesan Library. Cooperativa ARCA from Alessandria (AL) manages the cataloguing and the opening. The Library is open to the public on Tuesday and on Wednesday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. It is highly recommended to call 0173440200 or +393396267872 to verify the real opening of the library. If you want to have more information about our books or for a loan application, you have to write an e-mail to bibliotecadiocesana.alba@gmail.com