Services
EN
EDUCATIONAL COURSES
WORKSHOPS
The Maldotti Library offers, upon reservation, guided tours and workshops for schools of all levels, starting with an analysis of the institute’s rich collection. These are, in particular, educational workshops aimed at middle and high school classes:
Scriptorium e copisti: viaggio nella cultura medievale / Scriptorium and copyists: a journey into medieval culture (First Grade Middle School – Duration: 2 hours)
How was knowledge transmitted during the Middle Ages? What exactly did the work of a copyist monk entail (tools, challenges, time required), and what value did a book hold? Which texts were copied, and in what scripts? These and other intriguing questions will be explored during the workshop. The program includes a hands-on activity involving the transcription of a short medieval text using a geese or pheasant quill.
Scalata al potere / Rise to power (Second Grade Middle School – duration: 2 hours)
Who was Ferrante Gonzaga? Why did he purchase Guastalla? What were the characteristics of the territory he came to rule, and how did he transform it? To answer these and other questions, we propose a team-based role-playing game in which students engage in historical research using primary sources, putting themselves in the role of Ferrante and his advisors.
Un baule di 100 anni fa: storie di soldati guastallesi nella prima guerra mondiale – a cura di Silvia Musi / A trunk from 100 years ago: stories of soldiers from Guastalla in World War I – curated by Silvia Musi (Third Grade Middle School – duration: 2 hours)
The archive of Aldo Mossina (1887–1941), a lawyer, scholar, and local historian, contains a valuable collection of photographic portraits of soldiers from Guastalla who served in World War I, as well as numerous documents (mostly unpublished) relating to that period. The workshop aims to tell—through these testimonies—the stories of those who experienced the “Great War” firsthand.
Caratteri mobili / Movable type (Second and Third Grade High School – duration: 2 hours)
Why does the printed book still manage to endure in a world that is now almost entirely digitized? Perhaps because it has five thousand years’ worth of history and evolution behind it. Understanding the stages, materials, and ideas that led from papyrus scrolls to the quadernus and the invention of movable-type printing might provide some answers. Students will have the opportunity to handle and experiment with both specially designed tools and original ancient materials, immersing themselves in the world of the written transmission of knowledge.
I colpevoli della Storia / The culprits of history (Fourth Grade High School – duration: 3 hours)
How can one judge someone for a crime committed in the 19th century? Analyzing historical sources and their contradictions can be a good starting point. In this workshop, students will be transported to a Modena courtroom in 1831, where they will play the roles of the defense and the prosecution in one of the most famous trials held in this city.
SCHOOL-WORK TRAINING (FSL, formerly PCTO)
For third- and fourth-year students in high school, the library offers the opportunity to participate in an orientation and training internship, carrying out activities agreed upon on a case-by-case basis with their teachers.
UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIPS
The Maldotti Library welcomes university interns under agreements signed with various universities. A personalized learning plan is developed for each intern.
Universities with which our library has collaborated: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University of Parma, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
CONSULTATION
Access to the library’s reading room is open to everyone. Each user is required to fill out the attendance register with their personal information. Visitors may bring personal reading materials and use their own laptops; however, bags, backpacks, helmets, and other bulky items may not be brought into the reading room without staff authorization. Lockers are available for users to store their belongings. All works are available for consultation, subject to their condition. Books and other materials are stored on closed shelves, therefore users must always ask library staff for assistance in accessing them. Upon receiving the requested item, the user assumes responsibility for its integrity until it is returned at the end of the consultation.
LOAN
Loans are available for all volumes printed within the last 70 years and in good condition.
Loans are not available for older publications, damaged or poorly preserved volumes, dictionaries, encyclopedias, local history books, miscellaneous works, periodicals, theses, and research papers.
It is possible to borrow up to a maximum of three volumes for a period of 15 days. Loans may be renewed by phone no later than the scheduled due date.
PHOTOREPRODUCTION
The Maldotti Library offers the possibility of making photocopies on-site of contemporary texts, provided they are in good condition and in compliance with current copyright laws.
The cost of photocopying on-site is as follows:
– for A4 format = 0.20 Euro (0.10 Euro for more than 50 copies)
– for A3 format = 0.25 Euro (0.15 Euro for more than 50 copies)
The Maldotti Library also provides photographic reproductions for a fee, upon request from other libraries or individual users; the cost of this service is to be agreed upon.
If the Library’s documentary material is reproduced for editorial or commercial purposes, a written request for authorization must be submitted, and the relevant reproduction fees must be paid.
INFORMATION AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
For access to information, documents and services, visitors may contact the library staff. Librarians provide information on the location of books and documents and on how to use the catalogs and inventories available.
GUIDED TOURS
It is possible to visit the historical rooms of the Maldotti Library by making an appointment by phone or by writing to our email address. Guided tours are conducted by the staff. An open donation is asked of those who book a tour.
