Library

 

Currently it has a stock of over 90,000 books and 5,000 periodicals (both out of print and still in print). The most important and valuable section is Lelio Basso’s personal collection, which he began in the thirties. Transferred from Milan to Rome in 1968, it was donated to the Foundation in 1973; it has been regularly open to the public since 1975. The collection has now been greatly expanded with frequent donations and a careful policy of acquisitions and additions.

The library contains valuable texts on the evolution of the concept of democracy and the history of mass movements starting with the 1500s, and especially as regards the French Revolution.

The areas covered include historical sciences, sociology and political-juridical matters. In addition to preserving substantial period documentation each section also includes continually updated literature, so that it is possible to keep track of developments in the various research fields.

Mention should be made of two sections in particular: the "French Revolution" section - the most important - consisting of books, original pamphlets and periodicals, in some cases unavailable elsewhere, and accompanied by a large collection of studies; and the "History of Women" section – set up more recently - which has grown very quickly and is among the most consulted.

Since 1988, the library has been part of the National Library Service network. To valorise the library’s heritage initiatives are regularly taken which have resulted in the publication of catalogues, inventories and bibliographies, the production of CD ROMs and the organization of exhibitions.

The archive

Recognized by the Lazio Archive Superintendence as of considerable historical interest, it is divided into two sections: an international section which includes manuscripts of the major players of the French Revolution, and exponents of German and Russian social democracy, in addition to documents of the First and Second International. The other consists of all Lelio Basso’s documents, archives of exponents of early twentieth century socialism and anarchism, Christian social movements and the movements of the '60s and '70s, and editorial archives and documents on Italian and international politics, and the rights of people. Inventories are available at the Twentieth Century Archives website www.archividelnovecento.it.