The contemplative dimension of access to information in a 19th century bibliographic collection the Baron of Guajará’s Library

ABSTRACT

This work aims to analyze the contemplative dimension of access to information in a 19th century bibliographic collection: the books of the Baron of Guajará’s library. Currently, this collection belongs to the Instituto Histórico e Geográfico do Pará (Historical and Geographical Institute of Pará) (IHGP) and has acquired the status of exhibition object. The case study is guided by the discussion of the concepts of access and communication, the latter worked from a museological perspective. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected between March 2018 and January 2020 at the IHGP headquarters. The study shows that the transition from private library status to museum object status adds value to bibliographic collection. The new status offers visitors another type of informational experience, thus articulating the books, the furniture, the building, as well as the owner with the culture, history, and politics of the 19^th century. In conclusion, there is an aesthetic and sensory experience that brings the observer to Imperial Belém with its ways of consuming the printed culture that alludes to publishers and bookstores of France.

KEYWORDS:
Books; Exhibitions; Access to information; Raiol, Domingos Antônio - 1830-1912