Controversy Over Library Closures in Fondi Sparks Political Debate

The town of Fondi, Italy, has recently been at the center of political and social media discourse regarding the partial closure of its municipal library during afternoon hours. Criticisms have been raised by opposition political groups concerning the alleged lack of attention to the library as a community and socializing hub. Among the concerns is the claim that the Culture Commission had not convened over the past year.

In response, the City’s Culture Assessor, Vincenzo Carnevale, addressed critics including Fondi Vera and Fratelli d’Italia. Carnevale highlighted that the Fondi municipal library remains operational for 37 hours weekly, exceeding the 36-hour week mandated by regional regulations. He noted, “Many towns in the provinces of Pontine and Lazio lack similar library facilities or have them closed, and we have significantly surpassed the required hours, with most being in the afternoons.”

The assessor explained the constraints faced by the administration, citing “staff shortages, contractual issues, lack of funds for overtime, illnesses, and vacation” as challenges to expanding the library hours further. Despite these hurdles, Carnevale expressed a desire to keep the library open on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, acknowledging current impossibilities of these aspirations. “We need to be honest with the population, especially the youth,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the administration under Mayor Maschietto has made significant investments in the Dan Danino di Sarra multimedia center, upgrading its infrastructure and services. “The administration continues to stock an ever-growing collection of over 30,000 books and hosts events to promote reading in partnership with local schools and community groups,” Carnevale noted, adding optimism for better service with potential future staffing increases.

The issue has incited strong reactions from Fratelli d’Italia’s consular group, with its leader Stefano Enea Guido Marcucci criticizing the library closures from October 14 to 16, 2024, as “an unjustifiable denial of study resources essential for the academic and educational pursuits of young locals.” Marcucci stated that “such service disruptions are not new, and students in Fondi deserve better support.”

The capogruppo consiliare also aligned with Fondi Vera’s previous calls, underscoring the importance of libraries beyond book lending. “Libraries are vital gathering places, integral to the community’s cultural life. That role cannot be underestimated,” Marcucci argued.

Marcucci also called for an urgent meeting of the Culture Commission, which he states hasn’t been convened since July 2023, to address these issues and expand library access, emphasizing the broader role of libraries in community and youth engagement.