Löhe Memorial Library - Collections

Main Collection

As of January 2004 the complete collection comprises approximately 90,000 books and 11,400 bound volumes of periodicals. The library subscribes to 360 current periodicals and there is also a small collection of media items.

The collection is strong in the following subject areas: Biblical Studies (both Old and New Testament), Church History, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology, and Liturgics. The collection is of research quality in the areas of New Testament, Luther Studies, Lutheranism, Reformation studies, Patristics, and 19th Century German Theology. There is also a sizeable section in the area of Melanesian and Aboriginal studies.

Education Collection

There is a Christian Studies Collection comprising over 7000 Christian education resources for both teachers and children. Approximately 20% of the serials held relate to educational matters.

Rare Book Collection

One of the features of the library is the Rare Book Collection, which comprises the largest collection of German rare books in Australia (about 1400) and another 500 in various languages. The oldest book is a 1521 edition of St Ambrose "Concerning Priestly Worthiness" bound together with a 1523 edition of St Isidore "Concerning Ecclesiastical Offices".

There is also a 1522 edition of Erasmus' translation of the Epistles of Paul. Of exceptional beauty is a hand-painted pictorial Bible, translated by Martin Luther and published by Hans Lufft in 1550. The library also holds for the Stolz family an edition of Luther's works dating from 1550.

Numismatic Collection

Another special collection of world significance is the collection of medallions and coins illustrating Luther and the Reformation. It was largely donated by Rev C G Schmidt. The oldest of these medallions dates back to the Diet of Worms in 1521.

Updated: 15/8/2006 [1.00]