The Archaeological Museum of Istria, with its rich history, is also recognized for its special library, which has continuously served as a valuable source of knowledge for researchers, students, and the public. The library's history began in 1902 with the founding of the City Museum in Pula, and the City Library opened the very next year. Over time, by consolidating the collections of various libraries and institutions, the Provincial Library was formed in 1930, though its collection was significantly depleted in the post-war years.
With the museum's reopening in 1947, the creation of a special museum library began. Initially, materials were acquired through purchases and donations, but a major turning point came with the start of the museum's publishing activities. 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 more than 300 domestic and international addresses, facilitating the exchange of scientific and professional information.
The library holds over 50,000 items, including monographs and serial publications in the fields of archaeology, art history, ethnology, museology, and other related sciences. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of old materials with 87 items created before 1850, and two endowments, the "Dr. Branko Marušić" and the Professor Štefan Mlakar endowments, which enrich the library's holdings with significant 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.
