I volumi conservati nella biblioteca del Museo Vincenzo Vela possono essere consultati soltanto in loco, previo appuntamento.
With more than 1600 volumes that reflect the interests of the various members of the Vela family, the historic library of the Museo Vincenzo Vela can rightly call itself "a family library". The topics it covers take in literature, science, politics and philosophy, without forgetting the biographies of the individuals that the sculptor was commissioned to portray, and the many series of books on art and history. An integral part of the bequest to the Confederation, and as such mentioned expressly in Spartaco Vela's will, the library has recently been integrated into the online catalogue (OPAC) of the network of Federal Administration's libraries (known as Alexandria). The historic library is made available to researchers on appointment.
In addition to the historic library, the museum has also built up a notable library for purposes of consultation that includes exhibition catalogues, essays, series and encyclopaedias. Published in various languages, the publications mostly deal with the history, history of art, politics and culture of the nineteenth century.
The consultation library is open to the public on appointment on Tuesday afternoons, from 2-5pm and is accessible in the online catalogue, Alexandria.