Zachować żywą pamięć. Biblioteka Ośrodka Dokumentacji i Studium Pontyfikatu Jana Pawła II w Rzymie
To Keep the Memory Alive. The Library of the Center for Documentation and Research of the Pontificate of John Paul II in Rome

Summary/Abstract: The article describes the history and activities of the Library of the Center for Documentation and Research of the Pontificate of John Paul II. The institution dates back to 1981 when the John Paul II Foundation was established in the Vatican. The library collects publications related to the person of the Holy Father and his pontificate, papal writings as well as the literature on the thoughts and activities of John Paul II. The book collection is multilingual; it partly consists of publications related to various fields of knowledge (including the history of Poland and Polish emigration), donated to the Pope as gifts or provided directly to the Centre. The activity of the Centre is maintained owing to financial support from the Polish community. The books are catalogued in two programs: the ProCite as the inner one and the Virtua interlibrary system; the bibliographic records are searchable in the NUKAT union database, so information on the book collection is accessible for a vast number of researchers. The work done was possible thanks to the collaboration with related institutions, especially with the Library of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow (this cooperation allows to continue publication of the John Paul II. Polish Bibliography series). The rich library of the Center of the Pontificate of John Paul II complements its archival and museum collections – this makes it a significant site for research, not only to the students in Rome but also to all interested in the life and work of Polish Pope.

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