"ISLA" collection

Type: Thematic bibliographic collection
Status: Closed collection
Location: “ISLA”
Time span: 1861–1991
Language: Mainly Italian; includes titles in French, Spanish, English, German, and multilingual works
Format: Printed monographs
Access conditions: Open or on-site consultation, depending on the document
Origin: Materials originating from the Institute for Labour Studies

Content:

The collection consists largely of monographs, conference proceedings, codes and manuals, as well as serial publications and materials issued by institutional bodies, with a predominant focus on labour law, trade union law, social security, and labour economics. The publications cover a historical period ranging mainly from the 1950s to the 1980s, with a significant concentration of works printed between 1955 and 1975. From a geographical perspective, the materials primarily relate to the Italian context; however, the collection also includes numerous publications concerning the European Communities (ECSC, EEC, Euratom), labour legislation in other European countries (France, Spain, the USSR, the United Kingdom), and international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO). Common features include the presence of specialized series and works published by legal and academic presses.

Main thematic areas:

• Labour law and contractual relations: Works addressing employment relationships, contracts, termination, contractual liability, and female and child labour.
• Trade union law: Studies on trade union organization, collective bargaining, strikes, and lockouts.
• Social security and occupational safety: Volumes dealing with social insurance (disability, old age, workplace accidents), family allowances, and workplace safety.
• Labour economics and labour policy: Economic analyses of labour, wages, labour costs, and studies on economic trends in relation to employment.
• European and international legislation: Official documents and studies concerning the activities of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Economic Community (EEC), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Documentary and historical value:

The collection exhibits a high degree of thematic and chronological coherence. Its primary significance lies in documenting the evolution of labour legislation and legal and social doctrine in Italy and Europe during the post-war period, a time marked by profound social and economic transformation. It is of particular interest for academic and specialist research in labour law, economic history, and the social sciences, offering a comprehensive overview of the debates of the period. The presence of works providing comparative perspectives with other countries—such as French and North American labour law—or with specific contexts like the USSR further enhances its scholarly value.