The Istituto per i beni artistici, culturali e naturali (IBC) of the Region Emilia Romagna was founded in 1974 to support and advise the Regional Government in policy making and to act as an advisory body to local authorities in the field of cultural heritage. The Soprintendenza regionale per i beni librari e documentari has been part of the Istituto since 1983, with the specific task of co-ordinating the regional policy addressed to libraries and archives.

In 1995, the Istituto has been re-organised according to the regional law n. 29, which reinforces its role of "scientific and technical instrument for regional planning in the field of artistic, cultural and environmental heritage". As such, the Istituto "promotes and carries out research projects for the enhancement, the restoration and the protection of cultural objects, historical cities and cultural heritage at large, advising both the Regional Government and local authorities" and "enforcing the legislation addressed to local authority museums and libraries, within the framework of regional policies and regulations".

These functions have been recently re-defined by a new regional legislation, L.R. 18/2000 "Act concerning libraries, archives, museums and cultural heritage". The activities carried out by the Istituto Beni Culturali over the years and the important role played with respect to the Regional Government, have made it a unique organisation in Italy, with an unrivalled experience in its field.

Via Galliera, 21  40121 Bologna Italy

http://www.ibc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/