78184 - Library History (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course will deepen the knowledge of the European libraries’ history, from the Modern age to nowadays, including the analysis of architectural spaces and bibliographic structures as expressions of the intellectual identity of each library. It offers students a reflection on classifications, catalogues and services gradually implemented within both private and public library collections, and also the cultural patterns underlying the foundation, organization, development and dispersion of libraries.

Course contents

In the sixteenth century, the profound changes related to the spread of printed books and the Protestant and Catholic Reformation influenced deeply the panorama of religious libraries in Italy and Europe. Among the most significant innovations there was the origin of new book collections in the colleges of the Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius of Loyola and approved by the Pope in 1540. Until the canonical suppression (1773), the powerful order of the Jesuits erected impressive and well ordered libraries next to their schools.

An efficient acquisition of volumes, a meticulous practice of cataloguing and indexing, a close link with the printing and publishing enviroinments, a careful bibliographic work designed to identify and transmit the memory of scientific and literary production as well as to organize it easily on the shelves, made the Jesuits a real "Book’s Order", warrantors and keepers of Catholic orthodoxy.

Readings/Bibliography

1. S. PAVONE, I gesuiti: dalle origini alla soppressione, 1540-1773, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2004.

2. P. TINTI, Ratio e usus nei cataloghi manoscritti delle biblioteche gesuitiche fra Sei e Settecento, in Disciplinare la memoria. Strumenti e pratiche nella cultura scritta (secoli XVI-XVIII): atti del Convegno Internazionale, Bologna, 13-15 marzo 2013, Bologna, Pàtron, 2015, pp. 247-264;

3. P. TINTI, Gesuiti sotto il torchio: stampa, collegi e Università nel Settecento, in Dalla pecia all’e-book: libri per l’Università, stampa, editoria, circolazione, lettura: atti del convegno internazionale di studi (Bologna, 21-25 ottobre 2008), Bologna, CLUEB, 2009, pp. 261-274.

In addition to this, not attending students must choose one of the following two titles:

1. N. VACALEBRE, Come le armadure e l'armi: per una storia delle antiche biblioteche della Compagnia di Gesù: con il caso di Perugia, Firenze, Olschki, 2016.

2. C. FERLAN, Dentro e fuori le aule: la Compagnia di Gesù a Gorizia e nell'Austria interna (secoli XVI-XVII), Bologna, il Mulino, 2012.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, group work, guided tours to some historical and contemporary libraries.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of a three phases oral examination:

1) discussion about the brief history of the library edited by the student (as an individual or a group member) with the teacher

2) two questions concerning the required exam texts

3) only for not attending: one question related to the text chosen between the supplementary readings.

The oral examination aims to verify the knowledge of the texts and lessons’ insights. The highest score is thirty. The mastery of the contents and their critical reworking, the correct use of language, with specific attention to the technical terms of bibliographic disciplines, combine to define the assigned score.

For office hours and further informations, please consult the teacher’s website.

Teaching tools

All students, whether attending or not the lessons, will also deepen the study of an Italian library’s history, possibly a minor or even a private one, and write a short essay (max. 5.000 characters, spaces included), provided with a brief bibliographical note. Students can also choose to prepare the written essay as a group.

Written paper on the history of the Italian library should NOT be sent to the professor by email. Instead, it should be printed on paper and presented on the exam day when it will be discussed with the professor. Doubts should be presented and resolved by contacting the professor at least 10 days before the final exam.

During the course specific visits will be organized, in order to know the history, heritage and cultural peculiarities of the largest libraries of Bologna and Italy.

Students who have never faced - prior to this class - the study of the history of libraries will be able to read profitably in order to build or otherwise strengthen the basis of the preliminary knowledge of the course itself, one or more of the following titles:

1. Le biblioteche nel mondo antico e medievale, a cura di G. Cavallo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1988 (e successive ristampe): Introduzione di G. Cavallo, pp. V-XXXI e saggi di L. Gargan e A. Petrucci (pp. 163-202);

2. P. TRANIELLO, Storia delle biblioteche in Italia. Dall'Unità a oggi, Bologna, il Mulino, 2002 (editio minor, 230 p.).

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Tinti