Hope you enjoy this piece of reading from the Internet site for the Vatican. There is a section called the Vatican secret archives. Here are the rules below for accessing their library archives. I think they should have added an extra one on the end...If you give us an Arm and a Leg we'll give you a complimentary copy of the Bible! They don't ask for much do they, even then they give you nothing. Rich.


1. Qualified scholars from Institutes of Higher Education and with interest in scientific research are admitted into the Archives.

2. For admittance to the Archives it is necessary to send an application to the Prefect, adding a commendatory from a well-known cultural Institute or from a qualified person in the field of historical research.

3. In the application, please, specify: family name, first name, qualification, job, nationality, address, address in Rome and the reason of the search.

4. Please add two photographs; one of which will be applied on the entry card, necessary to access to Vatican City and the Archives.

5. The entry cards expire every July 15th and need to be renewed upon giving back the old ones.

6. University students are not admitted. Last-years undergraduates could obtain a temporary admission (some entries, according to the Prefecture discretion) if their tutor demonstrates the absolute and unavoidable need to study the Archives collections. In this case the student must show a full list of the examinations.

7. The Archives are opened to the scholars from September 16th to July 15th (8:30a.m. to 1:15 p.m.), from Monday to Saturday. Check-in Secretary issues entry cards from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30. Closing periods are shown in the "Archives Calendar".

8. Scholars with an entry card can access the Archives from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Monday to Saturday), evening access (from 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.) could be requested from the Prefect by sending a written application explaining the reasons of this request.

9. It is possible to study the collections up to and including Benedict XV's pontificate (January 22nd, 1922).

10. Please, use the apposite form to request the material. No more than three books or envelopes can be distributed per day to the scholar. Request are accepted until 12 o'clock.

11. Please, take care of the material; it is strictly forbidden to take notes on the material (also with pencil) and to put sheets or forms on it; when studying, please do not modify the material sequence.

12. If the material given to the scholar is in bad condition or need particular attention, please, inform the staff.

13. Moving the material outside the study room is strictly forbidden.

14. Indexes must be studied in the Index Room and put back in their position after the use. Partial or total publication of Indexes or Inventories is not allowed to the scholars.

15. Please, keep silent..

16. Scholars unfamiliar with the collections and Archives indexes could help themselves with the helping material given by the Prefecture. Scholars have to direct themselves in their research using the available publications.

17. Scholars are not allowed to photograph the material; reproductions can be requested from the Photographic Department of the Archives.

18. Scholars that are admitted to the Archives assume the obligation of sending the Prefecture one copy of their publications (articles on magazines, exposition catalogues, books etc.) in which Archives materials have been used or quoted.

19. Book and document shelf-marks must be quoted in a correct and concise way by using Collections and Help lists; if there are doubts, please ask the staff. The words "Archivio Segreto Vaticano" (Vatican Secret Archives, ASV) must always be used to refer, when necessary, to Vatican City and never to Rome.

20. Not following these rules will cause the loss of the permission to access to the Archives.

Contributed by Rich Mcpharlin