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Heaven Can Wait, and So Must Research

Scholars chafe at temporary closing of Vatican Library

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 17, 2007 4:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – Despite rumblings from anxious researchers, the Vatican Library has closed its doors for at least 3 years to undergo renovations after an inspection this year revealed that the structure couldn’t support the weight of its books. Reading rooms were unusually full last week, the BBC reports, as researchers got in as much work as possible with time ticking down.

Before the closure, the first in the library's 500-year history, engineers gave staffers just 3 months to remove 350,000 books from the endangered area. Meanwhile, scholars around the world protested the short notice, citing the library's unique resources. Between now and the reopening, expected in 2010, scholars can still request microfilm and photocopies.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, flanked by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, right, and Archbishop Raffaele Farina, looks at the Vatican library during... (Associated Press)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice-prefect of the Vatican Archives, shows Pope Benedict XVI a copy of a 15th century-old Gutenberg Bible, part... (Associated Press)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI leafs through an ancient volume, part of the collection of books of the Vatican library, during his visit to the... (Associated Press)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI leafs through a book, part of the collection of books of the Vatican library, during his visit to the library, Monday,... (Associated Press)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, followed by Archbisop Raffaele Farina and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran visits the Vatican library, Monday, June 25,... (Associated Press)

The reflection of Gregory Pass, head of the Vatican Film Library at Saint Louis University, is seen in one of the library's microfilm readers as a man does research in the background Friday, July 13,... (Associated Press)

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Heaven Can Wait, and So Must Research