MBA Business Consulting Class to Advise World’s Oldest Library in Verona, Italy

In an intersection of history, religion, academia and business strategy, M.B.A. students from the Stillman School of Business will provide international consulting services to the Biblioteca Capitolare di Verona, the world’s oldest continuously operating library. Founded around 380 A.D. in Catholic roots, the library has survived centuries of wars, fires and transformations. This consulting project is part of the capstone course for M.B.A. students, designed to integrate everything learned throughout the graduate program into actionable recommendations for real-world clients.

Preserving History Through Modern Strategy
The project emerged through the efforts of Pamela Adams, a retired Stillman professor who recently moved to Verona. Adams has been collaborating closely with the library since her relocation, laying the groundwork for the partnership. The consulting class, led by Stillman lecturer Chas Fox, D.B.A., includes diverse teams of students specializing in finance, accounting, marketing, business analytics and management. Their mission is to provide strategic guidance to the Fondazione Biblioteca Capitolare, established in 2019 to oversee the library’s evolution and sustainability.

“The Biblioteca Capitolare is not only a repository of manuscripts dating back to antiquity but a symbol of human knowledge persevering through time,” said Laura Wengerin, Ph.D., a Seton Hall professor and expert on medieval European history who is advising the student teams. “This partnership allows our students to apply their business acumen to preserve this invaluable institution for future generations.”

A Meeting of Minds Across Continents
The consulting project will culminate on May 20 with a presentation in Jubilee Hall. A delegation from the Biblioteca Capitolare, including Director of Fondazione Biblioteca Capitolare Timothy Leonardi and Maurizio Prete, a member of the board of directors, will attend the final presentations. The delegation also includes Pamela Adams, whose initiative made the collaboration possible.

The consulting teams are tasked with addressing key challenges faced by the library, such as donations and visits from United States citizens, revenue generation, U.S. marketing strategies and collaboration with U.S. libraries without compromising the library’s historic essence. With manuscripts written on parchment and vellum — some predating the invention of paper — the library’s collection poses unique challenges for preservation and digital access.

Consulting With Purpose
“The goal is not just to offer business solutions but to do so in a way that respects the historical and cultural significance of the library,” said Fox, who has been guiding the student teams through the complexities of consulting for a nonprofit cultural institution. “Our students are applying modern business strategies to help an institution that has witnessed over a millennium of history.”

Throughout the semester, the student teams have conducted virtual meetings with the Verona-based leadership, performed comprehensive analyses and developed strategies to improve the library’s outreach to the United States. Their recommendations are expected to include specific strategies and messaging in the U.S., enhanced visitor engagement and methods to leverage the library’s rich history to attract philanthropic support.

“This project is an unparalleled opportunity for our students,” added Joyce Strawser, Ph.D., dean of the Stillman School of Business. “It is a testament to the power of experiential learning and the global reach of our M.B.A. program.”

As the May 20 presentation approaches, the teams are refining their strategies to balance the library’s need for financial sustainability with its mission of preserving one of the world’s most significant collections of manuscripts.

For businesses and nonprofits interested in engaging M.B.A. consultants, visit the Market Research Center website.

Categories: Business, Faith and Service