The 15,000 volume library is under constant development making various works of Italian and foreign literature, history, the sciences, books on ecology, and documents and books dealing with theology within easy reach. A moderate amount of education subsidies is dedicated to the development of the audiovisual department. The great resources of the museums, palaces, and churches of Florence provide extended opportunities for students to learn the culture of Italy and this city so vital to the birth of the renaissance and western civilization. Known for its good food the Institute notes that there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables in the cuisine and no pre-cooked food is served. Everything is prepared in the clean, modern kitchen of the cafeteria and results in abundant breakfasts, hearty luncheons and light suppers.
Students learn to cook many Italian recipes as part of their program.
A new, large classroom building opened in the 1995-96 school year. Students attend most of their courses in the morning except, sometimes, on Tuesday afternoons when they have extra lectures on Italian art and culture in preparation for all-day outings on Wednesdays which will take them to such places as Assisi,.Bologna, Milan, Modena, Mantova, Ravenna, Rome, Siena, San Gemignano, Urbino and Venice. The choice of sites varies each summer. Taking advantage of their location in the center of the Italian Renaissance, Villa Aurora students will focus on the significance of Etruscan, Roman, medieval and renaissance eras to Italian and western culture and make numerous visits to local as well as national art treasures. Each week special recreational events are planned as well as Sabbath outings to beautiful countryside locations.