Domenico Ciccarello: “The Value of Both Old and Modern Physical Books will Never be Overestimated”

Domenico Ciccarello (University of Palermo) enjoyed a RESILIENCE TNA stay at KU Leuven. He entered the RESILIENCE TNA programme via the Italian Project ITSERR that is supporting the RI RESILIENCE and that is coordinated by Prof. Fabrizio D’Avenia from the University of Palermo.

Here you can read about his experiences and insights gained, that he so enthusiastically shares with us:

Maurits Sabbe Library

I am indebted with my TNA contact person, Dr Lieneke Timpers, Research Associate at KU Leuven, for her perfect caring for my visit in advance. Doctoral researcher Giorgio Maria Millesimi, from the Research Unit of Pastoral and Empirical Theology, welcomed me in a very kind and familiar way. The Maurits Sabbe Library fully met my expectations, and beyond. From my dedicated workstation at the Vatican II Study Room, I could easily explore the LIMO Libis database. With my guest user library card, I was allowed to access bibliographic sources of high scientific relevance to me, both in traditional and in digital formats: physical books, online databases, e-journals, digitized items. The wide extension of the collections, and their multidisciplinary and multilingual coverage, impressed me deeply.

Maurits Sabbe Library	Accessing Bibliographic Sources

Old and Modern Physical Books

The value of both old and modern physical books will never be overestimated: though our scholarly world is getting increasingly dominated by DH and AI, they are still keys for us to a world of learning and knowledge. I am deeply grateful to Dr Alberto Campagnolo, head of the Book Heritage Lab at The Maurits Sabbe Library, for showing me the oldest item that is kept in Belgium: the Codex Eyckensis A, a Gospel Book dating back to eighth century, handwritten and finely illuminated in a monastery from Luxembourg. I could also take a look at the cutting-edge technology used in the Book Heritage Lab, where I also had the honour to meet Professor Emeritus Lieve Watteeuw, who has been conducting highly specialized research for many years on KU Leuven library treasures, like the medieval Anjou Bible.

Codex Eyckensis A	Book Heritage Lab

Hall of the Art Library

I wish to add that another outstanding site for study and research purposes during my stay in Leuven was the University Central Library, with the amazing hall of the Art Library on the first floor, and the extraordinarily rich Manuscript and Rare Book Reference Library on the second floor. The latter, with its over 70,000 open-shelved items covering all branches of ‘bookish’ disciplines, is a real Toyland for book historians and bibliographers, believe me!

Hall of the Art Library	Studying a 15th Century Bible

Other Institutions and Scholars

Finally, I benefited largely from KU Leuven relationships with other institutions and scholars. Thanks to Asst. Prof. Dries Bosschaert’s help and advice, I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Antwerp Ruusbroec Institute, with its fine library holding a special section on devotion and spirituality, with early printed books like the wonderful 15th century Bible I am admiring in this photo (above). I am also grateful to doctoral researcher Maite de Beukeleer from the Research Unit of History of Church and Theology, as she suggested that I should meet the librarian at Antwerp’s Hendrik Conscience Library – a must for Dutch literature, Flemish cultural heritage and the history of Antwerp – for a guided visit (which I did, thanks to Dr Steven Van Impe from the Antwerp City Library). Here you can see a picture of its astonishing Nottebohm Room, that hosts one of the richest heritage book collections in Flanders. And of course, once in Antwerp, I could not miss to delve into the Plantin-Moretus Museum and its long-lasting, unique history of hand printing and book trading.

Nottebohm Room	Plantin-Moretus Museum

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Thank you for giving us such a wonderful insight into your experiences in Leuven through your words and images, dear Domenico Ciccarello! We wish you continued success in your research.