It was one of the first NRRP projects completed on the island, commissioned by the Municipality and funded with European funds. A first for the municipal library on Via Dante, it also received another recognition: the project that improved the accessibility of the media library—developed by architects Francesco Cocco, Francesca Raimondi, and Dora Uricchio—received an Honorable Mention at the 2026 Friendly and Inclusive Spaces Awards, part of the World Congress of Architects in Barcelona. This important recognition goes to projects that stand out for their ability to create accessible, inclusive spaces that are open to the participation of all people, regardless of age, physical or sensory abilities, or personal circumstances.

The project, as the architects explain, "interpreted accessibility as an overall quality of space, addressing orientation, ease of use, environmental comfort, and accessibility for people with diverse needs. The goal was to make the library immediately recognizable within the urban context, with clear access points, intuitive pathways, and environments that foster spontaneous use of the spaces, encounters, and cultural participation. The interior spaces were reorganized through the creation of functional areas and micro-spaces for reading, study, socializing, and cultural activities. Areas traditionally dedicated to consultation now coexist with collaborative and informal spaces, while modular furnishings and flexible configurations allow the library to be adapted to events, workshops, and different modes of use."

In their award citations, the international jury emphasized how the project "managed to go beyond mere compliance, working with librarians and experts to create an accessible, welcoming, and inclusive civic space." The jury also recognized "the complexity of the intervention on a listed historic building and the value of the result achieved in combining inclusion, quality of space, and economic sustainability of the project, highlighting how the library is now "functional, socially vibrant, and well-connected to its urban context."

The recognition received in Barcelona represents one of the few international awards given to an Italian project specifically dedicated to the theme of inclusive and accessible spaces and confirms the role of accessibility as a tool for innovation in the design of public and cultural spaces.

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