Giuseppe Caprotti – Guido Venosta Foundation, the new Commitment: “Entra in Biblioteca con un click”, History and Computer Science

Culture is the health of the mind and spirit; it nurtures the intellect and the ability to think—and thus act—in the world. Being aware of our origins and roots is like having a building block in every field of knowledge, one that can grow according to our interests or needs, making us more complete individuals.

Few experiences are as engaging as witnessing history on a personal level rather than through a barrier—be it an explanation or a museum. This is the aim of the project by the ‘Società Storica Lombarda,’ aptly titled ‘In Biblioteca con un Click.’ Since the 2017-2018 school year (aside from the unfortunate pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic), and in collaboration with the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, the project has sought to bring high school students closer to ancient books and documents, allowing them to get to know the history of Milan and Lombardy.

The project is divided into two phases: a formative phase featuring sessions with teachers and experts, and a practical phase in which students can consult online databases and research both ancient and modern editions linked to the digital resources available through the National Library Service. Most notably, students have the opportunity to analyze maps, prints, autographs, manuscripts, ancient books, and photographs preserved in the Library of the Società Storica Lombarda—directly engaging with, or closely observing, the living testimonies of a city and its history across different eras.

Giuseppe Caprotti, a historian himself and a member of the Consiglio of the Società Storica Lombarda, believing in the value of the project, has included it among those financed by the Fondazione Guido Venosta—of which he is President—starting in 2022.