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].

The Art surrounding the Library

Hello!

This is my 4th entry into my blog on discovering the history of the Vatican City Library.

This week I have been trawling through documents and internet websites about the art that surrounds the library itself; being the Vatican, it is abundant with many different artworks with many different styles too.

I have also included a small list of questions which will be used for me to find out the answers too in the near future.

This blog has opened up many reasons for me to want to go to the Vatican City again! I holiday'd to Europe about 2 years ago and I did visit the Vatican City and only briefly touched on the library there. Little did I know that it housed some great collections and art too!

I have found a comprehensive website that details art in the Vatican city; specifically the museums that surround the city as well as some of the art that is housed inside the Vatican Library itself.

The website is listed here: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

It is called "The Vatican Museums". They list the library on the website as part of a museum as they do function as both a museum and an archive; being that they show collections as they would do in a museum while also housing collections for people to read and enjoy as per a normal library. This is what makes the Vatican library unique. 

The Vatican library hold many exhibitions for many different items including art. The BAV website has a link that includes information on the current and past exhibitions as well as the art that was put on display in and around the library. http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=ufficio_mostre&ling=eng

I have found a few pictures that depict the Sistine Hall. The Sistine hall is a large hallway with the ceiling and walls painted in amazing detail. The hall is part of the library.

Here is one such picture

The Sistine Hall. There is an abundance of art to behold.

What is interesting to note is that the Vatican Library is actually not specifically noted as part of the Vatican Church; it is associated with the church however it stands on it's grounds, that is, it is not a religiously affiliated building. 

Questions I need to find the answers to:

1. Why is the Vatican Library not part of the Vatican Church? Aren't all buildings and everything in the Vatican City considered part of the church?

2. I have found information on the Pope's own private library. This isn't considered part of the Vatican Library. Why is this so?

3. A lot of art is moved around however there is no information listed exactly where the art is placed once moved. I want to know the extent of the art collection in the library and what happens when they take down certain pieces of art. Do they store them away?

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My research has largely been online to find out the current art that is situated within the Vatican City library. It has been a little bit hard as most information redirects to art in the museums surrounding the Vatican Library and not in the library itself.
I only recently found that the Sistine Hall was situated inside the Vatican City Library and not as a standalone building!

What is very interesting is that the Pope has his own private library! What it's contents are I do not know!

BAV website:
Vaticanlibrary.va (2012). BAV - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php[Accessed: 24th September 2012].

Vatican Museum website:
Mv.vatican.va (2012) Vatican Museums - Official web site. [online] Available at: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html [Accessed: 24 September 2012].

Periods of History of the Vatican City Library

Hello all!

This is my 3rd blog post! 
This week I have been focusing on the time periods of the Vatican City Library and what this meant and the changes that took place.  I have also included a list of questions I want answered that have popped up since researching the history of these time periods.

There are 5 distinct periods the Vatican City Library has met; they are listed on this website here:

http://theborgias.wetpaint.com/page/The+Vatican+Library

They are:

Pre-lateran= initial days of the library with the earliest days of the Church

Lateran= Until the 13th century with the reign of Pope Boniface VII

Avignon= Growth in book collection, the Papacy returning to Rome, collections and records were from popes in residence in southern France in Avignon.

Pre-Vatican= 1370-1446 the Library is scattered, parts in Rome and France

Vatican= 1446 onwards - Library places new collection and home.

I have a few questions I want answered through my research in these time periods.

1. What is the importance and impact of Pope Boniface VII for him to have an entire time period during his reign? (Lateran) What was his contribution to the Vatican Library?

2. Why do they call it the Vatican Library when it wasn't based in the Vatican in the first place until the Vatican time period? Are these based on the collections that were moved to and fro from different locations? (Avignon, Rome)

3. What is the significance of Avignon?

4. Are there any estimated dates for the Pre Lateran, Lateran and Avignon time periods?

5. What was the Library called when it wasn't the Vatican collection?

I am researching these questions as we speak; the internet is a nice treasure trove however I believe that certain books and their sources will be an easier navigated way of finding this specific information.

With this research, I also intend to lay out and define the terms of these distinct time periods. That is:

1. Why are they called these periods?
2. Who were the people who set these special dates and time frames in the first place?
3. Are there any discrepancies or arguments over these periods/can we call it an official part of history?
4. Where was the evidence collected from to suggest these 5 different time periods.

I have included a video which highlights my next blog post of the advancement and future of the Vatican City. It highlights the implications of it's new Art museums and exhibitions and it's new project for Internet mainstream awareness under the headline "The Vatican Library Project: Accessible Worldwide".

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This has been the toughest of my research thus far this week. Books and sources as well as the internet are scarce on information findings of the distinct periods of the Vatican City Library. I had to find out on my own that these periods don't list the Vatican Library itself at some points, but rather it's collections that were housed only until the Vatican Era! The library moved places before settling in at the Vatican City at the last distinct time period!

The questions I have listed here will be answered. For now, I have been pouring over the website I listed in search of answers. I will be heading to my local library and then the Melbourne City Library for any answers to my questions, especially about who the Pope Boniface VII was as he sounds very interesting!

Sources:

Video
Marshad, N. (2010) The Vatican Library Project: Accessible Worldwide. [video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYvLhD8YHL0&feature=player_embedded [Accessed: 18 September 2012]. 


Website for 5 eras/time period information
Theborgias.wetpaint.com (1990) The Vatican Library - The Borgias Fan Wiki. [online] Available at: http://theborgias.wetpaint.com/page/The+Vatican+Library [Accessed: 18 September 2012].

Inception of the Vatican Library

Hello! This is my second blog post on the Vatican City Library.

All has been well! This week I've been focusing on the building and inception of the library itself. I have also included the rebuilding of the Vatican City library as it is a major milestone in it's past (and near present) history.

I have been using the website:

http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=dipartimento_stampati&ling=eng

as a chief source of findings for the history. It is somewhat an "official" website to it's collections. In particular the "About" section may be brief but it also has the most up to date and correct information on the introduction of the Vatican Library.

There is only supporting evidence to suggest a type of library system began somewhere in the early part of the Roman Empire.

"From the fourth century onwards there is evidence of the Scrinium of the Roman Church, which was both a library and an archive." 

Vaticanlibrary.va (2012). BAV - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php[Accessed: 9 August 2012].

As it suggests, it wasn't quite a library, but a place of historical documents.
Hard research however (which is also agreed upon by most critics and historians) have concluded that the coming of the library itself at the Vatican in it's proper state began in the 14th century, that is, the Renaissance period.

"The Vatican Library began during the Renaissance... . In the 14th century, the seat of papal rule had been moved from Rome to Avignon, in southern France, but by the late 14th century the authority of the papal government was re-established in Rome and became the papal states. It was soon after this that Pope Nicholas V (1447-55) set out to build a new Rome. His plan to build extensive public works to provide both physical defences for the Church and to lure pilgrims and scholars began a transformation of the city."

Capping.slis.ualberta.ca (2005) History of the Vatican Library. [online] Available at: http://capping.slis.ualberta.ca/cap05/debbie/history.html [Accessed: 9 Sep 2012].  

With research from Wikipedia, the rebuilding of the library began on July 2007 in which it was closed of to the public, and reopened on September 2010. There was a number of fixes, rebuilding and refurbishment to the library.

En.wikipedia.org (2007) Vatican Library - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Library [Accessed: 9 Sep 2012].  

I have also found a series of pictures that show the refurbishment of the library, specifically, the "Reader's Lifts" and the main part of the building. This is an example of the lift being re-done.

BAV - Vatican Library (2009) Elevators (beginning of works). [image online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=fotogallery_art_00004&ling=eng [Accessed: 9 September 2012].

As part of my plan, I wished to find information on the history of the owners of the library since it began. I have found this information at the official Wikipedia article as well as the BAV site I have referenced before. They list all the head librarians from the first being Marcello Cervini to Jean Louis Brugues.

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Research for these findings involved me looking over the web and pouring over it's information. The information itself isn't hard to find once finding the right source, however finding the source in the first place proves difficult. Most books and texts I come across are outdated, especially when it comes to the actual inception and history of the Vatican City Library. There is no estimated date; it's a rough figure and new theories always pop up from time to time supporting new evidence and claims that even though the general census is that it started in the 14 century, evidence disproves this time and time again.
I like finding this kind of information. It puts a spin on what we perceive as already proven history, and what hasn't been properly explored and found information.

I'm learning how to blog, citing references, making a structured post. It's all very informative, fun and challenging all at the same time!

Sources:

Vatican Collections Online Website/4th century quote
Vaticanlibrary.va (2012). BAV - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php[Accessed: 9 August 2012].

Picture source
BAV - Vatican Library (2009) Elevators (beginning of works). [image online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=fotogallery_art_00004&ling=eng [Accessed: 9 September 2012].

History of the Vatican Library: Inception and Beginning quote.
Capping.slis.ualberta.ca (2005) History of the Vatican Library. [online] Available at: http://capping.slis.ualberta.ca/cap05/debbie/history.html [Accessed: 9 Sep 2012]. 

Wikipedia article containing list of cardinals/head librarians and refurbishment details
En.wikipedia.org (2007) Vatican Library - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Library [Accessed: 9 Sep 2012]. 

A Research Plan!

Task 1

I will be researching and exploring the history of the Vatican library as well as it’s collections, it’s surrounding art, the buildings in which they house these collections; all in all, a thorough understanding of the history of the Vatican library and what it represents to the Vatican city. 

This research will include:

1.       The examples of collections and historical texts it possess and possessed; this will also include how they came to these collections and who are the official holders.

2.       The inception of the Vatican library. Beginnings and the early period of libraries.

3.       Its design, structure and architecture; what was it inspired by, the difficulties that were found in creating the Vatican library.

4.       The temporary closing of the library from the public and it’s reopening

5.       The 5 periods the history of the Vatican library has housed: 
Pre-Lateran, Lateran, Avignon, Pre-Vatican and Vatican.

6.       The associations with famous history figures; acquisition’s and certain collections belonging to heirs.

7.       The art surrounding the Vatican library.

8.       How religion plays an aspect into the collections, art, architecture, place and environment of the Vatican library.

9.       Background information on the Vatican city itself.

10.   A general list of the librarians that have served the Vatican Library.

Each of these areas will include the origin of the information sourced. 
I hope to show the Vatican library in a different light than how it is portrayed; a large library full of musky collections of religious literature and manuscripts of old doctrines. I hope to show the more interesting side of the Vatican library: the art and paintings and sculptures that surround it, the more interesting parts of the collection they house (illuminated manuscripts) and the interesting profiles of the librarians that look after it.

I aim to make posts at least once a week, two if I can and am able to have a thorough understanding and find enough sources about the Vatican library.

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So far my research has gone quite smoothly.
The first of my research findings was the collections and what they specifically house in the Vatican Library. There is an abundance of information on this. 
First, there is a website that lists most of the Vatican Library's collection listed here:
http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?ling=eng

It is a very useful link as they list these types of collections:

• Manuscripts
• Archival collections
• Printed books
• Prints and drawings
• Coins and medals

Each of these collections is housed by a different department. For example the Manuscripts department is directed by Dr Paolo Vian; the people that work in this department are called Scriptores.

I've also found a a picture of an example of a manuscript housed in the manuscript department of the Vatican Library!



Sources:

Vatican Collections Online Website
Vaticanlibrary.va (2012). BAV - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php [Accessed: 28th August 2012].

Manuscript Picture
dipity (2012). Vatican Manuscript is finally published. [image online] Available at: http://www.dipity.com/darthranma/history_of_the_Bible/ [Accessed: 28th August 2012].