On the 17th April 1796 the Società Economica of Chiavari, six years after its opening, decided to introduce a Library within its building. This Library, would be open to the public, at all times, as this was one of the purposes of founding the Società Economica, namely: for intellectual purposes, as well as, for practical purposes.

The present director of the Library, Dr.Gian Francesco Grasso, has written a book about its opening entitled: The History of the Società Economica Library, Throughout its Two Centuries 1796-1996. He begins by writing "the opening meeting was held on the first floor of Mr. Cesare Solari's house, which was situated overlooking the main square of Chiavari. The caretaker, Antonio Costa, had just finished setting up the oil lamps, when the names of the thirteen members present were called out. Then, the Rev. Vincenzo Lagomaggiore asked if he could read out a declaration informing the members that Messers. Antonio Bancalari, Benedetto Botti, Giuseppe Chiarella, Gio. Antonio Gatti, the Rev. Giovanni and himself, Giuseppe Raffi, Agostino Repetti. the acolyte Agostino and the Rev.Giacomo Rivarola, Michelangelo Sanguineti and Gian Battista Solari, had thought it necessary to open a public library in Chiavari. Therefore, the Società Economica would have to help in various ways, including finding room for it within its walls". The following year, there was an interruption in the activity of the Società Economica, the Library and of the two librarians. This fact came about because of revolutionary activities and the Napoleonic domination, however, the latter soon realized the importance of both institutions. The Governor of the Appenine Area, of which Chiavari was the principal town, decided to reopen them. On the 6th May 1807 the Società Economica was joined to the Parisian Society to promote National Industry. The Library was re-opened and in 1813 one of its members, Paolo Torriglia, offered to place it in his house, as well as hosting in it the Society meetings.

Since then, due to large donations given by the members, as well as book-lovers, and institutions, the Library of the Società Economica has increased its worth with archives, manuscripts, incunabula. 16th Century volumes, miniated hymn books and prints, becoming one of the most important private libraries of our Province, containing almost 80,000 volumes.

In addition to a flourishing Lending Section, which includes over 5000 books, the Library also preserves 66 precious incunabula, about 2200 16th Century volumes, 5000 volumes of the 17th Century and 13000 of the 19th Century. There are also various manuscripts by local authors, such as: Busco, Garibaldi, Della Cella, Rocca and Coppola. These works are necessary to those who wish to study the history of this city and its surroundings. These archives also contain the history of important families or persons: the Rivarola and the Torriglia families, Sem Benelli, Scorza, Vitale, Descalzo and of others who are more recent but equally interesting.

In order to extend its availability, the Library of the Società Economica, joined the Bibliographic System of the Province of Genoa in 1998. In this way it joined 40 Ligurian Libraries in drawing up a collective catalogue, which can be consulted via Internet, and which also contains news regarding all its volumes. www2.provincia-genova.it/csb/

The Library can also lend books from the other Libraries linked to the Provincial Library System, or send them, on request, to any Italian library.  http://opac.sbn.it/

The books kept in the section of ancient volumes and in the archives, can be consulted on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 12am, by previous request to the librarian. The request can be made, in writing, in the Library itself or can be sent by Fax or mailed.

We have recently drawn up a catalogue of the proceedings relating to the Ligurian Society "Storia Patria" (1850-2000) which will be published in autumn. The Theses relating to the territory are included in the 19th Century catalogue and the collection containing those which are more recent, can be found on line. It will, therefore, be easier to consult the vast quantity of news relating to the Liguria Province, as well as offering a precious instrument of research.

For two hundred years the Library has been the most important centre of research and culture of our district.

A Library of the 18th Century for researchers of the 21st Century.

Library 0185-363.275 - Email: biblioteca@societaeconomica.com

Opening hours:

from Tuesday to Friday: 8:30am - 12:30am, 3pm - 6pm

Saturday: 8:30am - 12:30am, 3pm - 5.30pm

 

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