Part of AMI's rich history is its recognised specialised library, which has long served as a valuable source of knowledge for researchers, students, and the general public. The library's history stretches back to the 1902 founding of the civic museum and the opening of the civic library the following year. Over time consolidation of the collections of a number of libraries and institutions saw the formation in 1930 of a provincial library, which saw its collection significantly depleted in the post-war years.
The revival of the museum in 1947 saw the first steps in creating a specialised museum library. Materials were initially acquired through purchases and donations, but a major turning point came with the launch of AMI publishing activity. The first publications enabled the exchange of materials with numerous institutions worldwide, making the library a key custodian and promoter of archaeological and historical research. Today, the library collaborates with over 300 domestic and international organisations and institutions, facilitating the exchange of scientific and specialist data.
The library holds over 50,000 items, including monographs and serial publications in the fields of archaeology, art history, ethnology, museology, and related disciplines. Particularly noteworthy is our collection of early materials with 87 items of pre-1850 date, and two endowments, the Dr Branko Marušić and Professor Štefan Mlakar endowments, which have enhanced the library's holdings with important scientific papers and valuable works. The books are housed in mobile shelving and open stacks, while the most valuable materials are protected in a safe.
