BNUTO – Digital strategies to enhance the heritage of the National University Library of Turin
Services
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Design
Figma
Video Editing
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The National University Library of Turin, one of the most prestigious and oldest in Italy, holds a unique bibliographic, archival, and architectural heritage. It is not only a collection of volumes, but also a place of research, beauty, and memory, a cornerstone of Turin’s cultural life.
Objective
Translate the Library’s cultural heritage into effective digital content, strengthening the perception of the institution as a vibrant and accessible place, capable of reaching a wider audience than those who currently use its reading and consultation spaces.
The National University Library of Turin is more than just books: it is architecture, people, and history. A place that preserves traces of the past, where figures such as Queen Margherita, whose personal library is partially held by the National Library of Turin, and Erminia Caudana, the restorer who, with methods pioneering for her time, saved the manuscripts damaged in the 1904 fire, intersect.
The Library preserves important musical collections, notably that of Antonio Vivaldi (within the Mauro Foà and Renzo Giordano collections), as well as manuscripts, incunabula, and other rare and valuable materials. Particularly significant is the “Corpus Juvarrianum,” an extraordinary collection of drawings and designs by the architect Filippo Juvarra and his collaborators.
The editorial strategy
Where does one begin to tell the story of a place that has witnessed centuries of history?
Close collaboration with the Library’s experts, who safeguard not only the collections but also the stories that run through them, led to the development of a targeted and shared editorial strategy capable of reflecting the institution’s identity.
A visual and narrative language designed to bring new readers closer to the Library, expanding its audience and opening the collections to fresh perspectives. Not just spaces and services, but also curious details, behind-the-scenes insights, and lesser-known stories: content that makes culture more accessible, vibrant, and relatable both to those who visit the Library daily and to those encountering it online for the first time.
The Library staff dedicated their time and knowledge to share the richness of the collections, the daily activities, and the events that make this place truly unique.
Together, we designed an integrated editorial plan for Instagram and Facebook, based on several key themes:
Showcasing the Library's treasures
Content dedicated to promoting and highlighting the institution’s most precious and lesser-known collections.
- Behind the scenes
Content that showcases not only the spaces and services offered, but also the daily work of the people who bring the Library to life: librarians, restorers, volunteers, interns, and external collaborators.
Spotlight on notable figures
In-depth features and storytelling focused on historical and cultural figures represented in the Library’s collections, such as Filippo Juvarra, Antonio Vivaldi, or Queen Margherita. A way to enhance the heritage by highlighting the stories of those who created or engaged with it.
Promotion of events and exhibitions
Graphics, carousels, and reels showcasing the cultural initiatives hosted or promoted by the Library.
Holidays and anniversaries
An opportunity to engage with the calendar of commemorations through a cultural lens, consistent with the institution’s identity.
- Useful information and service updates
Announcements regarding opening and closing hours, changes to services, access to reading rooms, holidays, or special events.
Social media activity has helped engage a broader and more diverse community, spanning generations, attentive and responsive to the content shared. The aim was to encourage spontaneous interactions, sharing, and active participation in the life of the Library. Finally, the project also sought to contribute to the creation of a coherent and lasting digital archive, enhancing the Library’s extraordinary heritage over the long term.
Do you have valuable content and wonder how to make it accessible and engaging for a digital audience? We can work together to create a digital strategy that gives voice to your identity and truly engages your audience.