In Conclusion

Introduction

The Vatican Library, situated in the heart of the Vatican City is a place of more than just books: art displays, exhibitions and one of the most impressive collections are housed within the library. The Vatican library is the subject of this essay.

The Beginnings of the Vatican Library

The Vatican City library was intended as an archival system of books of some sort. Evidence suggests that from the "fourth century onwards...the Scrinium of the Roman Church...was both a library and an archive". The Scrinium refers to the library system that was in place during the 4th century. The Vatican Library was part of the Roman Church; the collections and books were all related to this.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.

More research has found that the coming of the library itself (building and all) and made as the Vatican Library was in the 14th century which was during the Renaissance period. It 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..." This of course included the Vatican Library. 

Rebuilding of the Vatican Library

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.

The lifts being redone on the side building of the Vatican Library

The development included restructuring to the lifts and access points to the library as well as an overhaul for easier public use, disabled access and a more friendly environment. Before this, the Vatican Library was untouched and many instalments such as air conditioning and heaters were either missing or old. 

The different eras of the Vatican City Library

There are 5 distinct periods that the Vatican Library has seen. They include in order of past to present:1. Pre-lateran= initial days of the library with the earliest days of the Church

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

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

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

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


The Art of the Vatican Library

The short video below is a presentation on the general art that surrounds the Vatican Library. Most liken it to an art museum within a library because of the enormous works of art it houses apart from its immediate library collection. 

The Vatican Library's art is known as part of a series under the label "The Vatican Museums". They list the library 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. 
The Sistine Hall is one such example of an art that encapsulates the wonder of the history of the Vatican Library. It is a massive artwork that is painted upon the walls, pillars and ceiling  stretching down a long hallway. The unique hand painted art all depict different saints and cardinals of the time periods throughout the Vatican history. 

The Sistine Hall; note the art sprawls from the pillars to the ceiling in great hand painted detail.

Head Librarians

Here is a list of the head librarians from the earliest record with Marcello Cervini to Jean-Louis Bruguès, the present day head librarian. 

"Bibliothecaruis" refers to the title of the head librarian; it is translated as the ruler of the library. Each head librarian obtains this title in succession with the next Roman Numeral as with a line of heirachy system

Name	Lifetime	Title	Time as Librarian[7][8]
Marcello Cervini	1501–1555	Bibliothecarius I	May 24, 1550–April 9, 1555
Roberto de' Nobili	1541–1559	Bibliothecarius II	1555–January 18, 1559
Alfonso Carafa	1540–1565	Bibliothecarius III	1559–August 29, 1565
Marcantonio da Mula	1506–1572	Bibliothecarius IV	1565–March 17, 1572[9]
Guglielmo Sirleto	1514–1585	Bibliothecarius V	March 18, 1572–October 16, 1585
Antonio Carafa	1538–1591	Bibliothecarius VI	October 16, 1585–January 13, 1591
Marcantonio Colonna	1523 ca.–1597	Bibliothecarius VII	1591–March 13, 1597
Cesare Baronio	1538–1607	Bibliothecarius VIII	May 1597–June 30, 1607[10]
Ludovico de Torres	1551–1609	Bibliothecarius IX	July 4, 1607–July 8, 1609
Scipione Borghese Caffarelli	1576–1633	Bibliothecarius X	June 11, 1609–February 17, 1618[11]
Scipione Cobelluzzi	1564–1626	Bibliothecarius XI	February 17, 1618–June 29, 1626
Francesco Barberini	1597–1679	Bibliothecarius XII	July 1, 1626–December 13, 1633
Antonio Barberini	1569–1646	Bibliothecarius XIII	December 13, 1633–September 11, 1646
Orazio Giustiniani	1580–1649	Bibliothecarius XIV	September 25, 1646–July 25, 1649
Luigi Capponi	1583–1659	Bibliothecarius XV	August 4, 1649–April 6, 1659
Flavio Chigi	1631–1693	Bibliothecarius XVI	June 21, 1659–September 19, 1681[12]
Lorenzo Brancati	1612–1693	Bibliothecarius XVII	September 19, 1681–November 30, 1693
Girolamo Casanate	1620–1700	Bibliothecarius XVIII	December 2, 1693–March 3, 1700
Enrico Noris	1631–1704	Bibliothecarius XIX	March 26, 1700–February 23, 1704
Benedetto Pamphili	1653–1730	Bibliothecarius XX	February 26, 1704–March 22, 1730
Angelo Maria Querini	1680–1755	Bibliothecarius XXI	September 4, 1730–January 6, 1755
Domenico Passionei	1682–1761	Bibliothecarius XXII	July 10, 1741–January 12, 1755(P) January 12, 1755–July 5, 1761
Alessandro Albani	1692–1779	Bibliothecarius XXIII	August 12, 1761–December 11, 1779
Francesco Saverio de Zelada	1717–1801	Bibliothecarius XXIV	December 15, 1779–December 29, 1801
Luigi Valenti Gonzaga	1725–1808	Bibliothecarius XXV	January 12, 1802–December 29, 1808
Giulio Maria della Somaglia	1744–1830	Bibliothecarius XXVI	January 26, 1827–April 2, 1830
Giuseppe Albani	1750–1834	Bibliothecarius XXVII	April 23, 1830–December 3, 1834
Luigi Lambruschini	1776–1854	Bibliothecarius XXVIII	December 11, 1834–June 27, 1853
Angelo Mai	1782–1854	Bibliothecarius XXIX	June 27, 1853–September 9, 1854
Antonio Tosti	1776–1866	Bibliothecarius XXX	January 13, 1860–March 20, 1866
Jean-Baptiste Pitra	1812–1889	Bibliothecarius XXXI	January 19, 1869–February 9, 1889[13]
Placido Maria Schiaffino	1829–1889	Bibliothecarius XXXII	February 20, 1889–September 23, 1889
Alfonso Capecelatro	1824–1912	Bibliothecarius XXXIII	August 29, 1890–November 14, 1912[14]
Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro	1843–1913	Bibliothecarius XXXIV	November 26, 1912–December 16, 1913
Francesco di Paola Cassetta	1841–1919	Bibliothecarius XXXV	January 3, 1914–March 23, 1919
Aidan [Francis Neil] Gasquet	1845–1929	Bibliothecarius XXXVI	May 9, 1919–April 5, 1929
Franz Ehrle	1845–1934	Bibliothecarius XXXVII	April 17, 1929–March 31, 1934
Giovanni Mercati	1866–1957	Bibliothecarius XXXVIII	June 18, 1936–August 23, 1957
Eugène Tisserant	1884–1972	Bibliothecarius XXXIX	September 14, 1957–March 27, 1971
Antonio Samoré	1905–1983	Bibliothecarius XL	January 25, 1974–February 3, 1983
Alfons Maria Stickler	1910–2007	Bibliothecarius XLI	September 7, 1983–May 27, 1985(P) May 27, 1985–July 1, 1988
Antonio María Javierre Ortas	1921–2007	Bibliothecarius XLII	July 1, 1988–January 24, 1992
Luigi Poggi	1917-	Bibliothecarius XLIII	April 9, 1992–November 29, 1994(P) November 29, 1994–November 25, 1997
Jorge María Mejía	1923-	Bibliothecarius XLIV	March 7, 1998–November 24, 2003
Jean-Louis Tauran	1943-	Bibliothecarius XLV	November 24, 2003–June 25, 2007
Raffaele Farina	1933-	Bibliothecarius XLVI	June 25, 2007–June 9, 2012
Jean-Louis Bruguès	1943-	Bibliothecarius XLVII	June 26, 2012-

The Vatican City Library and it's role with religion

The Vatican Library is not associated with religion or any stance in relation to the Vatican City itself; it is a free standing building that welcomes all.


However, religion plays a big part in the library; that is, the Roman Catholic Church. 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.

The role of the Pope and his involvement with the Vatican Library

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 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.

In conclusion...

The Vatican City library is a wondrous building; it's art sprawling with centuries of history and the mountains of collections as well as the hidden secrets such as the secret collections and the Pope's very own collection make the library as every bit elusive and mysterious that it makes out to be!

It is both a library, a museum, a historical site and an exhibition of artefacts and old collections that are prized beyond possession. 

It is an important part of history and religious history. It has seen the ever evolving technology that has become today and has kept with the change to become as ever relevant in today's hustle and bustle. 

The Vatican Library is a treasure trove of all things historical; it is an amazing achievement in architecture, learning and scope. To this day, it is visited by many both religious and non religious for the same purpose: to take in all that it has to offer. 


Sources

BAV website:
Vaticanlibrary.va (2012). BAV - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [online] Available at: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php[Accessed: 28th October 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: 28th October 2012].

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

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

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

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].


Elevator Works picture
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].


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].

The Vatican Library Project: Accessible Worldwide - 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]. 

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].