The project came out of the desire to promote the university's historical library and museum heritage, and the libraries and buildings of great historical and architectural interest in which it is preserved.
The 17 informative display boards located in the buildings mark the permanent cultural tour presented to the city in 2018, which has continued to be enriched with new tools for its enjoyment and awards.
The permanent educational tour has a wide range of accessible content, and is designed for two types of user:
- an adult audience, with the texts published on the display boards and in the volume that collects all the materials produced (texts and over 400 images, some unpublished);
- schools and families, with an illustrated "storybook-guide" aimed at children aged 7-12, and features on the display boards of some passages from the story.
Guide to the tour
Stories of books and palaces. Virtual tours to discover Unife's cultural heritage (length 3m, 16s)
Guide-story written by Luigi Dal Cin
The project received the 2021 Maria A. Abenante Prize (ranked 2nd, tied with two other projects), from the AIB (Italian Library Association). This award is dedicated to projects with the purpose of promoting the social and cultural role of libraries and their inclusivity ( List of winners 2021). Discover the educational services and courses aimed at inclusion, implemented by the Library System (ULS).
The project is part of the activities for protection and promotion of historical and valuable collections undertaken by the University Library System (ULS) since 2008, in line with mission 13 - Heritage, libraries and cultural activities - from the Mandate Plan 2021-2027 for the University of Ferrara, and the UN 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (4. Quality education for all, 8. Decent work and economic growth, 10. Reduce inequalities, 11. Sustainable cities and communities).
The promotion of Unife's historical and architectural heritage and valuable collections takes its rightful place among other activities to spread knowledge to benefit the wellbeing of society, in line with the University's cultural and social Third Mission.
Stories of books and palaces is a candidate for ART BONUS, even a small contribution is important to help us continue sharing our cultural heritage!
Activities
2024
Exhibition Other stories of books and palaces. New looks at Unife's cultural heritage (June 28th - July 19th, Bevilacqua-Costabili Palace) has been arranged by the University Library System with the aim of valorizing and spreading contents of the book Stories of books and palaces: discovering the University of Ferrara's cultural heritage (second edition printed in 2023). For the occasion, Unife's historical locations are opened during special hours in order to allow the guided tours to citizens and tourists.
The initiative was supported by the AIB - Emilia Romagna section and the Municipality of Ferrara.
2023
Preparation of the Survey on the impact of videos using LIS (Italian Sign Language) on a group of users and the Survey on the impact of the project on internal and external collaborators with the University of Ferrara led by Cristina Baldi, Anna Bernabè and Paola Iannucci, December 2023.
New printed edition of the volume Stories of books and palaces. Discovering the cultural heritage of the University of Ferrara , edited by Cristina Baldi and Paola Iannucci, UnifePress 2023, 361 p., 423 ill., ISBN 9788896463321, with a presentation by Chancellor Laura Ramaciotti.
2022
Distribution of two types of questionnaires to evaluate the impact of the LIS videos (Italian Sign Language) on the partners who collaborated on the project, and on users. The analysis of the data collected for scientific research will allow us to improve the quality of the cultural service offered by the University of Ferrara Library System, and increase the services offered in preparation for the opening of more historical university facilities.
Workshop Stories of books and palaces: a case study to discuss inclusion, the right to culture and active participation in academic libraries, Stelline National AIB Conference, Milan, 11 March 2022.
Cristina Baldi [et al.], A network of academic libraries for the third mission? Development, inclusion and new strategic opportunities, AIB Studi, vol. 62 no. 3 (September/December 2022), p. 639-652.
Publication of the volume Stories of books and palaces. Discovering the cultural heritage of the University of Ferrara , edited by Cristina Baldi and Paola Iannucci, UnifePress 2022, 362 p., 423 ill., ISBN 9788896463260.
2017-2021 Activities
Collaborations
Press Review
Contact: paola.iannucci@unife.it, cristina.baldi@unife.it