Ecclesiastical Libraries: Public History, Educational Communities and Use of the BeWeb Portal

Abstract

The General Library of the Barnabite Fathers Historical Studies Centre is an Ecclesiastical Cultural Institute, registered in the Registry of Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage, in the Registry of Italian Libraries, and adheres to the PBE Pole of the National Library Service (SBN) through the CeiBib project .

The Congregation of the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul, called Barnabites, in the
rediscovery and valorization of its own “spiritual gifts”, which are properly educational, has decided, concerning the Study Centre - General Library and General Historical Archive - to broaden its mission by also opening up to "younger" users, in particular for the Library - which is a library of conservation and specialized research. The starting point was, therefore, precisely the charisma of the Congregation and the awareness of how libraries are called today to recognise their centrality as an active part of the Educating Community, to combat educational poverty and broaden the horizons of children and young people. Therefore, the General Library, through community engagement and sustainable initiatives, collaborates with schools of all levels up to the university, with institutions, the local community, and professional associations, experimenting with new, more engaging and effective teaching and learning strategies for religious history, in accessible ways for all.