![The origins](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0008_1%20-%20Le%20origini.jpg?itok=XBxOGaPL)
A library for ministerial officials
![For Italian scholars, and thus for the nation](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0007_2%20%20Per%20gli%20studiosi%20italiani%2C%20cioe%CC%80%20per%20la%20patria.jpg?itok=-vFrbb0A)
When World War I began, the library opened its collections to Italian academics that had been ousted by the German Institute of Rome (Istituto Germanico di Roma), considering them to be enemies
![Palazzo Venezia](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0006_3%20A%20Palazzo%20Venezia.jpg?itok=BZNQmu5x)
Assigned to the newly-formed National Institute of Archaeology and Art History, the library was moved to the Renaissance palace of Pope Paul II (Pietro Barbo)
![The arrival of the Rodolfo Lanciani Archive](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/Rodolfo%20Lanciani_0.jpg?itok=qrbtE2ZO)
The library made a qualitative leap forward with the acquisition of the books and materials belonging to the great Roman archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani
![The war and a return to normalcy](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0004_5-%20La%20guerra%20e%20il%20ritorno%20alla%20normalita%CC%80.jpg?itok=eCvtr5IX)
After the dark years of WWII, the library thrived and its collections continued to grow
![Not only for specialists](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0003_6%20Non%20solo%20specialisti%20.jpg?itok=x7gyAmCo)
Once it became a State-run library, BiASA opened its doors to the general public
![The search for more space: the Roman College](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0002_7%20Alla%20ricerca%20di%20nuovi%20spazi-%20lo%20sbarco%20al%20Collegio%20Romano.jpg?itok=iV9QvY7N)
With increased acquisitions and a larger user base, the library was in dire need of additional space
![In-person and online visitors](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0001_8%20Per%20il%20pubblico%20in%20presenza%20e%20on%20line.jpg?itok=T2ENlAqe)
The library’s desire to meet users where they are led to cutting-edge projects, including the Digital Italian Periodicals archive
![The future](https://vive.cultura.gov.it/_cms/sites/default/files/styles/img_blocco_o/public/scheda/biasa_0000_9%20Il%20futuro.jpg?itok=6zG_zivs)
The new BiASA headquarters will be a building located in the heart of Rome, renovated just for this purpose by starchitect Mario Botta