Welcome to my 6th blog post!

Here I discuss with you my recent findings on the Pope and how much he has a part to play with the Vatican City Library collection. 
The future of libraries are at a way point. Most libraries are transitioning to digital archives and information; the rise of computer technology has seen the implementation of many computers being installed into various public and state and university level libraries.

The Vatican Library stays true to it's original form. It has made the move to digital archiving however this is for private archiving purposes in the first place. These archives are of course home to art and sculptures and many many collections that need to be recorded as they are historical and important to the Vatican City.

The Pope has had an active contribution to the Vatican Library. He was part of the movement to re-stablish and rebuild the library to a more appropriate modern view (lifts, escalators) while maintaining the aesthetic that it is an old library with many old collections and that it is one of the biggest and most ambitious libraries ever to be created. The art that surrounds the ceilings and archways and pillars are enough to suggest to most audiences that the Vatican Library is grande in scope.

The Pope has been stated as saying that ..."the library is first and foremost a knowledge center....both for textual readings....enjoyment and to walk amongst history...". 

Thomas, C. (2009) Pope Benedict: A Vision For the new Years. Oklahoma: Westons Publishing House, p.32-33.

The Pope is an active contributor to the library  Apart from the rebuilding of the library, he has given permission and has been along the way to convert the library into a more accessible library. People are still not allowed to borrow from the library; however many installed "reading rooms" have been made for people to actually read the materials and collections that are on offer. Of course, not all collections are available to the public. There are archives that are secret that are out of bounds but this will be discussed later!

Of course, it does help that the Pope wanted to be a librarian!
The article I have provided below states that the Pope was sufficient in the practices of being a librarian and wanted to be one one day if he hadn't invested time into being part of the clergy and being elected pope.
Pope Benedict has a true passion for the Vatican Library; hence his active involvement in the projects that it has undertaken under his guidance and agreements.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/7928493/Pope-Benedict-wanted-to-be-a-librarian.html


Here is one picture I found amongst a series of pictures of the Pope's own private library that he has housed near the Vatican Library! 

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With my research I have found that Pope Benedict is largely involved with the Vatican library.
As stated above, he has developed a keen interest for the integrity of the library and has appropriate funding for it to continue and adapt to the ever changing forecast of the future.

These findings were easier to find than my first 3 blog posts; they are more straightforward and I love the fact that I was able to get some quotes from the Pope himself on various websites!

Unfortunatley, I haven't been able to use books as well as I thought I could; most information is outdated and don't even have information from the redevelopment of the library back a few years. Digital seems to be the way to go to find up to date and ever changing news and information. 

Sources:

Quote from Pope
Thomas, C. (2009) Pope Benedict: A Vision For the new Years. Oklahoma: Westons Publishing House, p.32-33.

Article on the Pope being a librarian!
Caldwell, S. (2010) Pope Benedict wanted to be a librarian. The Telegraph, 5th August.

Religion and it's role in the Vatican City Library

Hello one and all!

My 5th post is regarding the stance of the Vatican Library on it's collections and it's purpose with religion, notably the Vatican city religion, Roman Catholicism.

I have found that, from my last post, that the Vatican Library is not associated with religion or any stance in relation to the Vatican City itself; that it is a free standing building that welcomes all.

However, you only have to enter through the doors and be surrounded by the art around you that you will realize that the Vatican City library is actually religiously affiliated with the Pope and the city itself.

Religion plays a big part in the library. The collections and the art are all derived from some sort of religious part to play.

What is most notable is that the head librarian/instructors of the library are all Roman Catholic; this seems to be a requirement that must be met. There is definitley a stigma related to religion and the library as the library is defined as not being part of the church. Evidence that I have found, such as the surrounding art and the majority of the collections as well as the requirements to work here suggest that it IS part of the Church. 

This website demonstrates the formation of my opinion; while one body states that the library is not part of the church, obvious evidence suggests that it does have ties with the Roman church.

http://capping.slis.ualberta.ca/cap05/debbie/history.html

The video below demonstrates how important religion (Roman Catholicism) plays a part in the Vatican City and the library itself.

It is interesting to note that the video says that the Pope before the current one had stated as saying that the library was not a collection just for religious purposes but open to all.
From what I gather though, most if not all of the collections in the Vatican Library are religiously affiliated texts and scripts and the Pope is the only one actually allowed to borrow from the library itself!

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This week has been much easier for me to find the information required. I again found most of the information on the internet. There were some challenges along the way; most of the time I've had to form my own opinions on the stances of the Church and how they view and not view things related to the Vatican Library.

I believe I have learnt many things this week; what I have learnt most of all is that I shouldn't assume anything when it comes to the Vatican and the head, the Pope. 

Sources

Video:
60 Minutes America (2011) CATHOLIC CHURCH - The Wonderous Vatican Library. [video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q83ZDo01LQU [Accessed: 2nd October 2012].