During my brief visits to the library, I learned that the library is in the trust of the Institute (Istituto di Psicosintesi), a foundation with a volunteer board. The building (the former home, offices, and training space of Assagioli) houses the Florence Center for Psychosynthesis which provides some funds for the necessary upkeep of the building. However, there is need for a broader support.

I invite you to contribute to this historical and living continuation of Roberto Assagioli's work. Because we have all benefited from the profound work of this multifaceted man, we are in a unique position to see this opportunity to support the legacy which he has left us. Many of the notes in the library are on long, thin strips of paper, jotted in his own handwriting (like we would use 3x5 cards). I was astonished to see how many of them are in English! I was able to actually use the library and glean, as it seemed, first hand from his pen -- not mediated by editors or by type setting of a book I purchased in a bookstore!

The notes have been carefully catalogued and organized by theme and subtheme. Much of the work has been done by Piero Ferrucci (author of What We May Be), who, I was told, spent many long hours of volunteer time there over a five year period. But Sandro, the secretary of the Institute board, who sat with me as I used the library (as he or another person does with everyone who uses the library), showed me stacks and shelves and boxes of drawers of notes which have not yet been catalogued.

Sandro works in another town. He has never met Assagioli, nor has he taken psychosynthesis training. But he loves the work of psychosynthesis and the difference he sees it making in people's lives. So he volunteers his time and effort to make the library accessible to visitors. "More people who love psychosynthesis need to know about the library and to visit it! It's not just for us here!" And he also emphasized the need for support of the library.

So I'm asking you to contribute! There are several ways this could work:

1. Checks in your national currency can be sent directly to the Institute at:
   
   Istituto di Psicosintesi
   via San Domenico, 16
   50133 Firenze, Italia
   This would cost the Institute approximately $25(US) to convert the funds into Italian lire.

   You can send a check in international funds from your bank to the address above. This will cost you approximately $10(US) per check.

   You can send a direct transfer of funds to the Institute's bank account. You will need the following information for you bank:

   Bank address: Banca Toscana, Agenzia 13, Firenze, Italia

   Name under which the account is found: Istituto di Psicosintesi

   Account number: 12160.21
   This will cost you about $25(US), but is very rapid and reliable.

   Send a check to:

   Synthesis International, Inc.

   P.O.Box 480742

   Kansas City, MO 64148 USA
   Make the check out to Synthesis International, Inc. but marked Istituto or Library in the memo. I will keep an accounting of all funds sent in this way and transfer the funds directly on a quarterly basis if at least $100 has accumulated. I will contribute the cost of the fund transfer myself. I will also send to the Institute the list of names and addresses of the contributors as well as the contribution amounts so they can respond directly to you. This method will delay the arrival of contribution, but it will allow you to have your entire contribution go to Assagioli's library.

Whichever way you choose, I do encourage you to contribute!! This library is a marvellous resource and a legacy which we who love psychosynthesis must keep alive. One of the slips of paper I encountered on my second visit to the library said this: "Psychosynthesis is joy! Associate always psychosynthesis with joy!!!" As you consider this invitation to support Assagioli's library, I wish you:

Much joy!
Phyllis L. Clay, Ph.D.
Synthesis International
tel: 816-941-9926
fax: 816-941-0791

URL= http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/projects/library.htm
Last revised: November 18, 2004.