FAQ
Is there an
entrance fee and is a guidebook available?
Entrance is free of charge. A booklet entitled "A Guide
to the National Library of Malta" is available at Lm0.75c.
What are the opening hours of the National Library?
The National Library of Malta opens to the public from Monday
to Friday between 08.15 and 17.30 and on Saturdays from 08.15
to 13.15. Between 16th June and 30th September, the Library
operates on a reduced schedule, that is, Monday to Saturday
from 08.15 to 13.15. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Visitors are allowed to enter up to 15 minutes before closing
time.
Which is the oldest holding in the Library?
A document dated 1107 which forms part of the Archives of
the Order of Malta is the oldest manuscript extant at the
National Library. The document is a charter issued by King
Baldwin I of Jerusalem confirming the donation of property
to the religious of S. Salvator de Monte Tabor (A.O.M. 1,
no. 1). The lands were transferred to the Knights Hospitalers
of St. John in the thirteenth century.
The incunabula collection constitutes the oldest printed
material at the Library. The term 'incunabulum' (plural 'incunabula')
is the Latin word for 'cradle' and refers to those works
printed in the late 15th century, i.e. just after the invention
of printing.
Can I trace my family history at the National Library?
You may consult the Adami collection where marriages (c.
1575-1818) are listed by locality. But information to be
gleaned from here is limited. We recommend that information
regarding post-1863 marriages be acquired from the Public
Registry in Valletta. Regarding pre-1863 marriages, one must
refer to the parish where the marriage would have been held.
What about information about the Knights of Malta?
Information about individual knights may be gleaned from
the sections 'Libri Bullarum' and 'Prove di Nobiltà'
in the Archives of the Order of Malta. Data may also to be
collected from the section 'Libri Conciliorum'.
And how do I find my way about?
The catalogue or 'repertorio' of the archives is helpful
in tracing a particular knight listed in the section 'Prove
di Nobiltà'. Here the knights are listed according
to their Langues. The number printed to the left of the name
corresponds to the number of the volume where the admission
process of the particular knight may be found. Regarding
the 'Libri Bullarum', one must first consult the 'Ruoli'
of knights available in the Reading Room before going to
the 'repertorio' to look up the date in the section 'Libri
Bullarum'. The number printed to the left corresponds to
the volume where information regarding the knight is to be
found. Many of the 'Libri Conciliorum' have been catalogued
and published by the University of Malta. In cases where
the material has not been published, one must trace the information
by date as the volumes in this section are in chronological
order.
Can I order photocopies of Library material?
When a researcher requests photocopies of Library material,
Library staff shall, before any payment is made by the researcher,
ensure that the material may be photocopied. If not, researchers
may order microfilms or scans. No order for photocopies,
microfilms or scans is executed unless paid for in advance.
Orders must be placed and paid for between 08.15 and 12.00
between 16th June and 30th September and additionally from
13.30 to 16.00 from 1st October and 15th June. The fee of
the photocopies at the Library is of 10c in respect of each
A4 size page and 15c in respect of each A3 size page. The
fee for microfilming and scanning is of Lm2.50 per volume
plus 10c per frame.
What is the 'Legal Deposit Act'?
The Legal Deposit Act stipulates that two copies of all
works published in Malta are to
be deposited at the National Library of Malta and the Gozo
Public Library free of charge. The books and periodicals received at
the National Library of Malta in a given year by way of legal
deposit constitutes the bulk of the data included within
the Malta National Bibliography.
What do we mean by 'melitensia' and what does this collection
comprise?
The term 'melitensia' refers to works written by Maltese
nationals published in Malta or abroad, as well as works
that are about the Maltese Islands written by foreign authors.
The National Library 'melitensia' collection comprises all
published material in the form of books, pamphlets, newspapers,
journals and single-sheet items - as well as audio and visual
recordings - by Maltese authors, or on any subject related
to the Maltese Islands.
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