Over 16 volumes inventoried and a series of activities included managing book lending services in print and digital versions, as well as providing support and information to users. This is a summary of the main activities carried out in 2020 by four volunteers from the Italian Civil Service Abroad who served at the Library of the University of the Republic of San Marino, which collects, preserves, and manages approximately 100.000 books, in addition to 160 subscriptions to periodicals and other content.
The findings, which represent a portion of the University Library's curation over the past year, reflect the work carried out by both internal staff and volunteers. They primarily concerned the Historical Studies section, recently moved from the Ancient Monastery of Santa Chiara in the Omerelli district to the former Courthouse in Salita alla Rocca, in the historic center of Mount Titano.
"In terms of loans, in 2020 our organization recorded 2.217 incoming and outgoing transactions of paper books, as well as a 350% increase in digital content," explains project coordinator Gabriella Lorenzi. "The work of the four volunteers was indispensable in managing such a flow. They stood out for their professionalism and expertise, as well as for the courtesy and responsiveness they showed to the users who contacted us."
Alessandro Amato, Piero Cavallo, Annachiara Maggio, and Aniello Annone spent a period on San Marino, acquiring the key skills needed for the study, research, development, management, and promotion of a university library: "We learned how to use the management software involved and understood how these institutions work. In other words, we learned a trade," says Cavallo. "We were involved in a stimulating and interesting project," Maggio adds. "In this context, I had the opportunity to learn about the PhD program in Historical Studies at the University of San Marino and decided to apply to participate in the next edition." Her experience in the Republic may therefore continue, while Amato has decided to continue her career in Italy: "Working in an environment where you interact with culture and students is very stimulating," she says. "In the coming months, I will be participating in librarianship competitions."
This is the fourth edition of the project, created to support the University Library thanks to the support of the University of Bari, which included the initiative among the calls for proposals for Civil Service Abroad offered by the Ministry of Youth Policies of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
In the photo, from left: Gabriella Lorenzi (library staff), Piero Cavallo, Annachiara Maggio, Sandra Capicchioni (library staff), Alessandro Amato.
