CUNSTA denounces continued closure of Italian libraries and archives

In summer 2020, while Italy reopened beaches, restaurants, and even nightclubs after a severe spring lockdown, libraries and archives remained largely closed. CUNSTA (Consulta Universitaria per la Storia dell'Arte) sent an indignant letter to Minister of Cultural Heritage Dario Franceschini, University Minister Gaetano Manfredi, and directors of archives, libraries, and education. The letter criticizes the injustice of bookstores reopening in early April while free cultural venues stayed shut, suggesting the sector is neglected because it is not directly linked to commerce or industrial production. A non-prescriptive measure from the Istituto della Patologia del Libro recommended a 10-day quarantine for each consulted book, severely limiting research. The Italian Library Association noted that the Istituto Superiore di Sanità set virus survival on paper at a maximum of three days. CUNSTA argues that this hampers doctoral research, projects, and scientific publications essential for Italy's academic and conservation standing. The letter calls for clear reopening timelines and equitable treatment for libraries and archives.