New ALC library dedicated and open for visitors

Members of the Australian Lutheran College (ALC) community and LCANZ leadership were among those who gathered to celebrate the dedication of the new ALC library in the Adelaide CBD last week (14 August).

The college is keen to welcome people from across the church to visit the 22 Pulteney Street site and explore the specialist theological collection, which exists to serve the learning and research needs of the LCANZ and its regional and global partners.

ALC Principal Dr Tim Stringer led the dedication service, in front of current and former ALC staff, board members, members of the LCANZ’s College of Bishops and General Church Board, and representatives of Lutheran Archives and from the University of Divinity, of which the college is a part. LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith conducted the rite of dedication for the collection’s new home, a move necessitated by the sale of ALC’s North Adelaide campus.

In his opening address, Dr Stringer acknowledged the importance of the library as a hub for theological scholarship and a place for fostering informed faith and encouraging spiritual growth.

‘Here dwell words that witness to the Word – a collection of books and texts, preserved and provided for the teaching, formation, and deepening of faith,’ he said. ‘May this library serve as a house of learning, a well of wisdom, and a workshop of grace for all who enter its doors or receive books loaned from these shelves.’

Following Bible readings and a time of reflection, Bishop Paul Smith conducted the rite of dedication, praying that the library would be ‘a sanctuary for learning, a refuge for reflection, and a place where hearts and minds’ are lifted to God.

‘May all who study here grow in understanding, not for pride or power, but for love of your truth and the building up of your people,’ he prayed. ‘Bless all who enter – students, pastors, researchers and visitors. May they find here not just knowledge, but also wisdom, grace, and the joy of discovery.’

Those at the dedication toured the new facility and, Dr Stringer said, ‘they were especially impressed with the light-filled environment, the volume of space and the number of individual and collaborative work areas provided’. ‘A former principal of the college was even heard to say, “This is a much better space than the old library”.’

Weekly opening hours for the library are 8.30am to 4.00pm, Tuesday to Friday (closed public holidays).

So, if you are heading into Adelaide to do some shopping and have a bit of spare time or need a relaxing space to sit and rest, why not visit the new library? It is located on the second floor of the Target building. Details on how to find the library, as well as public transport and parking options, are in this library location flyer.

You can keep up to date with library opening hours during holidays and mid-semester breaks via the ALC website.

The library houses a wide range of print and electronic resources and subscribes to current periodicals. It also cooperates with other theological libraries through reciprocal agreements and provides a range of services for remote students, including document delivery.

Facilities in the new building include study areas suitable for groups and individual use, wireless access, printing, copying and scanning.

Library membership is free for pastors, lay workers, staff who work in church offices, and teachers in Lutheran schools.