April 26, 1995

Press Contact: Jeanne Smith (202) 707-4337
Public Contact: Rare Book and Special Collections Division (202) 707-5434

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Italian Ambassador To Lecture May 1 at the Library of Congress

The Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress will present a lecture by Boris Biancheri, Italian ambassador to the United States, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, in the Mumford Room on the sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue S.E.

He will speak on "The Legacy of Machiavelli" in the third in a series of lectures sponsored by the division, the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the National Italian American Foundation.

According to Larry E. Sullivan, chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, the series is intended "to foster consideration and assess the contribution of Italy to American culture and customs, economic and social issues, international relations, and government and public policy."

The lecture series is the first program initiated by the new Associates of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, formed last year to acquaint individuals with the resources and needs of the division and to raise money through contributions to support its programs.

The division holds the most comprehensive and universal rare book collection in the United States. Numbering more than 750,000 items, its holdings include numerous books printed in Italy during the earliest period of printing, as well as large collections on Italian history and culture, 5,700 books printed before 1501, Thomas Jefferson's library, the largest collection of early American imprints in the country, the magnificent Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection of Illustrated Books, the libraries of czars of Russia, and countless other rare and unique collections.

The Italian Cultural Institute, Washington, D.C., organizes and supports programs highlighting the intellectual, artistic, and scientific achievements of the Italian people.

The National Italian American Foundation, Washington, D.C., is an advocate for the nation's estimated 25 million Italian Americans.

The May 1 lecture is free and open to the public, with no tickets required.

As for all Library public programs, interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact Signing, Oral and Tactile) will be provided on request if placed six business days in advance of the lecture. Call (202) 707-6362, TTY and voice, to make a specific request. For other ADA accommodations, contact the Disability Employment office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707- 7544 voice.

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PR 95-071
6/26/95
ISSN 0731-3527