Vatican Library
![''[[Pope Sixtus IV Appoints Bartolomeo Platina Prefect of the Vatican Library]]'', fresco by [[Melozzo da Forlì]], 1477, now in the [[Vatican Museums]]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Melozzo_da_Forl%C3%AC_001.jpg)
The Vatican Library is a research library for history, law, philosophy, science, and theology. The Vatican Library is open to anyone who can document their qualifications and research needs. Photocopies for private study of pages from books published between 1801 and 1990 can be requested in person or by mail.
Pope Nicholas V (1447–1455) envisioned a new Rome, with extensive public works to lure pilgrims and scholars to the city to begin its transformation. Nicolas wanted to create a "public library" for Rome that was meant to be seen as an institution for humanist scholarship. His death prevented him from carrying out his plan, but his successor Pope Sixtus IV (1471–1484) established what is now known as the Vatican Library.
In March 2014, the Vatican Library began an initial four-year project of digitising its collection of manuscripts, to be made available online.
The Vatican Apostolic Archive was separated from the library at the beginning of the 17th century; it contains another 150,000 items. Provided by Wikipedia