The library is located in the Oratorio dei Filippini complex[1] built by Francesco Borromini in Piazza della Chiesa Nuova.

The library was established in 1565 by St Filippo Neri who left his collection to the congregation past his death in 1595.

[4][2][6][7] Pope Gregory XIII officially recognized the library in 1575 with the bull "Copiosus in misericordia".

[2][6][7] The library was mentioned in 1581 when Achille Stazio donated 1,700 printed volumes and 300 manuscripts to Filippo Neri and the Congregation of the Oratory.

The library covers multiple topics, including history, philology, archeology, theology, and more.