The Giorgio Zanotto Library, inaugurated in Rome in 2014, is part of the National Association of Popular Banks and houses over 23,000 volumes and 400 folders of documents. It traces the history of Credito Popolare from 1946, when the Association regained autonomy after being merged into the Fascist Banking Confederation in 1926. The collection includes rare pre-1926 publications and the complete archive of the journal Credito e Cooperazione, founded in 1889 by Luigi Luzzatti, with contributions from notable figures like Luigi Einaudi.
The Library also holds the works of Oddone Fantini, a key figure in the Association’s history, and numerous manuscripts currently being cataloged. It is dedicated to Giorgio Zanotto, a respected economist and politician, honored for his lifelong commitment to public service and the values of cooperation and the common good.
The Library and Archive aim to preserve and promote the legacy of popular banking, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and local communities. They reflect the enduring relevance of cooperative values in facing modern economic challenges.
