Answer: It was Pope Nicholas V (1447–1455) who envisioned a "public library" for Rome but it was Pope Sixtus IV who got it done. In 1475 Pope Sixtus IV issued a papal bull (Ad decorem militantis Ecclesiae, June 15, 1475), that nominated a librarian (Bartolomeo Platina) and gave the project financial support.

Click here to see an article on the history of the Vatican Apostolic Library.

Vatican Notes has two interesting articles related to the Vatican Apostolic Library:
 • James C. Hamilton, Notable Postcard: Vatican Library Receipt Vatican Notes Volume 61, Issue 60th AV, 2008, Page 18
 • Greg Pirozzi, Notable Postcard: A Scarce Card to the Vatican Vatican Notes Volume 60 Issue 351 2012 Page 2

In 1975 the Vatican Post Office issued three stamps to commemorate the founding of the Vatican Apostolic Library.


Scott # 582-584(1975)