The Carmelite Library started in 1948
when books on Carmelite matters were separated from other
works in the General Library of St. Albert’s International
College in Rome. The first two librarians, Br. Otger
Steggink and Fr. Serapion Seiger completed this task. In
1949 the Carmelite Library was in a room next to the then
Chapter Room on the ground floor. Soon afterwards, on the
orders of the then Prior General, Fr. Kilian Lynch, Frs.
Pio Serracino Inglott and Ludovico Saggi added to this
initial nucleus a large collection of books and
periodicals from many houses in Italy and in other
provinces.
Following this, provision was made for
the acquisition of books published by various publishers
from commercial bookshops and also from antiquarian
booksellers. This is the practice that continues still.
Another source of books is the application of the decree
laid down by the 1953 General Chapter, and confirmed in
1995, that provinces and members of the Order should send
two copies of their publications on Carmelite matters to
the Carmelite Library.
After a reorganisation of the interior
of the building, the Carmelite Library moved to its
present position on the first floor.
The cataloguing and development of the
library owes much to the labours of Frs. Pio Serracino
Inglott (between 1953 and 1983), and Leo van Wijmen (from
1983 until 1999).
Since 1972 the Library has been
entrusted to the Carmelite Institute. |