Biblioteca Augusta is a historic public library in Perugia, Italy. It was established in 1582 through the initiative of the humanist Prospero Podiani, who donated his private collection of books to the municipality of Perugia with the explicit intention of creating a public library. The library officially opened to the public in 1623, initially housed in the former Palazzo Meniconi on Piazza Piccola. It is considered one of the oldest public libraries in Italy.
The library currently operates from the Palazzo Conestabile della Staffa, located in the Porta Sole area (the highest hill of the city) on Via delle Prome. Its founding is notable for being conceived and prepared as a collection of books destined for public use by a private individual, rather than being established by a religious or state institution.
The Biblioteca Augusta holds a significant collection of ancient books and manuscripts, including the Fondo Podiani (Podiani Collection), which contains numerous incunabula (books printed before 1501). It serves as the municipal library of Perugia and also functions as a regional center for historical, philosophical, and Masonic studies (Centro regionale Storico, Filosofico, Massonico).
The library's opening hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00–18:30, with the Sala Conestabile and the ancient book consultation room open Monday through Thursday 9:00–18:30 and Friday 9:00–13:30.
