I will be travelling in Italy at the end of August. Anyone know of any libraries that are too good to miss seeing? Or other literary can't miss that you'd have to suggest?

( I spent the afternoon in Seattle at the Public Library last year on vacation. And an afternoon touring Ramona Quimby's Portland Oregon. So of course, a library visit while in Italy is on the plan too.)

Any librarians who work in these "Tourist" attraction libraries care to comment about tourists who come to gawk and go on about how gorgeous the library is?

Mensagem editada pelo seu autor, Jun 24, 2009, 10:09am.

First, you have to understand that "libraries" in other countries, such as Italy, aren't the same as here. The culture of openness and free libraries we're used to isn't as prevalent in Europe as it is in North America. Many of the libraries in Italy are membership libraries, by invitation only libraries, archives, etc. Things may have changed since I lived there, but be ready for differences in library culture.

Which specific cities will you be visiting?

Anyway, if you get a chance, you cannot miss checking out the Vatican Library (Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana). You can do your homework by going here: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/

I am envious!

Mensagem editada pelo seu autor, Jun 24, 2009, 10:28am.

Oh, I'm interested too, since I'll be in Italy in July. I never even considered it, since, as Fugitive says, libraries are different there. I know one of my profs said she had to get official clearance to get into the Vatican Library, and it wasn't easy to get. Thanks to some LT friends, I have a list of libraries that I can visit in England, however. And of course, there's the British Library, which has galleries open to the public. But I'd love to hear if there is anything available to the tourist in Italy.

PS: Shannon--if you get any libraries, you may want to double check the open hours for August. Traditionally, a lot of Italy shuts down so Italians can go on vacation.

I maintain a site for our students who spend a semester in Rome. Since I have never been there, it is tough to really know if what is on my site is current, so if you happen to be wandering around Rome and accidentally drop in on any of the bookstores or libraries that I have listed on our site, pelase let me know.

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/archit...

As of right now the trip consists of two weeks of travel in Italy. No plans as of yet, just some ideas as to what cities we might visit. We just found out we'd get to go a few weeks ago.
We'll be stopping in the big cities, and hopefully touring the Tuscany area and I think I'd like to go to the town of Cremona to see the violin capital of Italy (home to Stradivari).

Mensagem editada pelo seu autor, Jun 25, 2009, 12:26pm.

Just checked the Vatican Library website. It is closed for three years 2007 - 10 for renovations.

I'm glad to get some idea of the library culture. I knew if I asked a group of librarians questions I'd get some good answers.