Romagna floods: Libraries freeze water-damaged books to save them
The recent floods in Romagna, Italy, caused extensive destruction to libraries. The Forlì Seminary Library suffered the loss of incunabula and 16th-century texts, while the Municipal Archives were completely inundated. In Faenza, the Manfrediana Library's children's section was destroyed, and smaller libraries in Solarolo, Conselice, and Castel Bolognese remain unaccounted for. The Lugo Library managed to protect its ancient collection but lost its periodicals. Although the Malatestiana Library in Cesena is threatened by infiltration, its books remain unharmed. Recovery efforts include freezing water-damaged books, organized by the Carabinieri's Cultural Heritage Protection Unit and the Ministry of Culture. Additionally, over 1,300 16th-century volumes from Forlì have been relocated. The Classense Library in Ravenna hosted the Scrittura Festival, showcasing books saved from the flood.
Key facts
- Romagna floods damaged multiple libraries, including Forlì Seminary Library, Manfrediana Library in Faenza, and others.
- Incunabula and Cinquecentine (16th-century books) were submerged in Forlì.
- Manfrediana Library in Faenza lost its children's book section.
- Lugo Library's ancient collection was saved; modern collections and periodicals lost.
- Malatestiana Library in Cesena has infiltration threats but no book damage.
- Freezing is used to prevent mold growth on waterlogged books.
- Books are frozen at facilities of Orogel, Bofrost, and Frati&Livi.
- Restoration will be done at the National Central Library of Florence's lab, founded after the 1966 Florence flood.
- Over 1,300 Cinquecentine from Forlì have been frozen.
- Scrittura Festival at Classense Library in Ravenna featured readings of rescued books.
Entities
Institutions
- Seminary Library of Forlì
- Municipal Archives of Forlì
- Manfrediana Library of Faenza
- Lugo Library
- Malatestiana Library of Cesena
- Classense Library of Ravenna
- National Central Library of Florence
- Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna
- Ministry of Culture (Italy)
- Orogel
- Bofrost
- Frati&Livi
- Scrittura Festival
- Artribune
Locations
- Romagna
- Forlì
- Faenza
- Solarolo
- Conselice
- Castel Bolognese
- Lugo
- Cesena
- Ravenna
- Bologna
- Florence
- Italy
- Emilia-Romagna