If you liked my post about Leopardi in Recanati (Il sabato del villaggio), you’ll like this.
This library has survived intact for over 200 years thanks to Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837), one of Italy’s best-loved poets. He spent the greater part of his childhood and youth reading in this library, the creation of his father, Monaldo Leopardi.
The Italian class system is not the same as ours; however, I think it is safe to say that the Leopardi were what we would call gentry, and quite comfortably off. Monaldo was an “avid book collector” (p 363 of Canti / GiacomoLeopardi ; translated and annotated by JonathanGalassi. London : Penguin, c2010). In fact he spent so much money on this library that his wife had to sell her jewellery to restore the family fortunes.
I like Monaldo because he was more than a bibliophile. His instincts were those of a librarian; in other words, he wanted to share his books with everyone.
![To children friends citizens Monaldo Leopardi [gives] the library in the year 1812](https://alysb.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/filiis-amicis-civibus-dedication-by-monaldo-leopardi-of-his-library.jpg?w=640)
To children friends citizens Monaldo Leopardi…
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Hill towns of Le Marche, Italy 
Most bibliophilos like to share. Most libraries don’t keep the books in good condition.I was at the library of Congress and the condition of books we shared was horrible. Every book of mine has been repaired and is in a slipcase or box. And has been repaired when not perfect. How many first folios are in condition comparable to that of collectors copies. How long are you in corinaldo?
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We aren’t in Corinaldo, I’m afraid. Yes, it is a difficult balance between keeping books in good condition and making them available to the public.
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I recently visited the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and there’s a temporary exhibition of things they saved from the earthquake in Central Italy…as an Italian, I LOVE Giacomo Leopardi and it was wonderful for me to see the manuscript of L’Infinito ❤
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Lucky you, I am so glad it was on display but sorry I missed it. My visit to Leopardi’s house inspired me to read his poetry, and it is very sensitive and lyrical … but how sad that he died so young, like our Keats.
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