A library on board the research vessel Laura Bassi
On occasion of the "World Maritime Day" (Day of the Seafarer), promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 25 June, a new travelling library will be set up on board the Laura Bassi, the only Italian oceanographic research icebreaker, owned by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS.
As of today, the vessel has additional equipment: a branch of the "Biblioteca Diffusa" project of the Municipality of Trieste, a widespread network of reading points and small libraries, coordinated by the Municipality of Trieste and managed by public and private associations and institutions, to encourage reading and the sharing of literary heritage, bringing the philosophy of active participation directly into the community. As many as 750 volumes are available on board. Franco Coren, Director of the OGS Centre for Management of Maritime Infrastructures, Laura Carlini Fanfogna, Director of the Trieste Municipality's Museums and Libraries Service, Mavis Toffoletto, Contact person and coordinator of the "Biblioteche Diffuse" or widespread libraries network) and a small group of collaborators of the Libraries Service involved in the network, as well as the on-board staff of the R/V Laura Bassi and some OGS researchers, took part in the setting up of the library on board.
With the new "Reading Point on the Laura Bassi", OGS and the Municipality of Trieste wish to offer researchers and staff on board a space for leisure and entertainment that will allow them to spend quality time especially during long voyages. The works chosen for the ship by the project's referents are in fact mainly narrative texts, ranging from genre novels to the great classics. There is also a selection of titles in English and French to meet the needs of foreign guests on the ship. The texts come from the library holdings of associations, organisations and other public and private institutions that have already joined the project, as well as donations from individual citizens.
The idea of the Library on board the R/V Laura Bassi came about within the framework of the activities promoted by the "Trieste reading pact" and is an outpost that will bring the passion for reading and books to the furthest seas. The new reading point brings to 44 the number of networked entities that, together with the Giuliano Library System and the partners of the Trieste Reading Pact, make up the community of LETS, the Museum of Literature in Trieste. The complete list can be read on the website of Trieste city of literature: http://letteraturatrieste.it