The first World Congress of Libraries and Bibliography, Rome and Venice, 15-30 June 1929

Abstract

The first World Congress of libraries and Bibliography took place in Rome and Venice from 15 to 30 June 1929. It was attended by 880 libraries and librarians from 35 countries, and by a delegate of the League of Nations. The conference is a key event in the history of Italian and international libraries, and in the cultural politics of the Fascist regime. The Congress, however, has never been studied analytically. The reasons for this surprising lack of interest, even decades later, are still to understand. The Congress was the first global meeting of the International Library and Bibliographical Committee, formed in Edinburgh in 1927, consisting of representatives from 15 library associations, who had voted for the "Edinburgh Resolution". It formally instituted the founding core of that association which just in Italy, during the conference, was officially called the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA). The Italian government sensed the opportunity to transform the initiative in Congress regime and granted the necessary financial and organizational help; a specific law was enacted: no. 3094 of 27 December 1928. The Duce himself participated, on June 15, 1929, at the opening session in the Capitol, with a speech that marked the relationship between the Regime and Congress. Pope Pius XI, former prefect of the Ambrosian and Vatican Library, received the delegates. The conference was divided into 16 sections in which were discussed technical issues, professional issues and reports of international cooperation.