[A welcoming friar]

Saturday, 4th July, 2009
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, Lay Dominican


St Dominic's Centre of Studies
LIBRARY


Hours of Opening
Tuesday
 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Thursday
 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Saturday
 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
[crest]
  
[Catalogue]    [Periodicals]
  
[church] W elcome to one of Melbourne's significant resources for the study of philosophy, theology and Church history!

The imposing bluestone tower of St Dominic's neo-Gothic Church  atop the hill on Riversdale Road, Camberwell, is your landmark for finding the St Dominic's Library, which is housed in the red brick building adjoining the church.

Established as a House of Studies for the Dominican friars in 1940 - previously Australian friars had gone to Ireland for their formation - St Dominic's has built up over the years a unique collection of often difficult-to-find works in philosophy, theology, scripture and church history.  Over 60,000 volumes - and a sizeable, polyglot periodical collection - are housed in pleasant rooms at the rear of the building on the ground floor.  "Dominicana" and Thomistic philosophy and theology are, as might be expected, specialities of this library.

Dr Gregory McCormick, a Dominican friar and priest, is librarian, assisted by Dr Helen Frank ,a qualified librarian.  The friars will also be seen from time to time working or browsing in the library, or assisting in its administration.

A card catalogue lists all the material acquired before 2001, while more recent acquisitions are computerised.  The older records are being transferred to computer - the Philosophy, Aquinas and Dominicana sections are now complete - but the card system will be retained as an archive in its own right and an ancillary guide to the older parts of the collection. The electronic catalogue is now available on the internet.

From 2001, the library has been open to the general public.  There are now over 200 registered subscribers, who pay the modest fee, of $30 per semester ($15 concession) for borrowing rights.  General readers, who wish to consult texts within the library, are freely welcomed.  There are also concessions for students and pensioners.

Disabled access is provided [use the lift just inside the door to go from the door (lower ground) to library (ground) level.]  There are toilets (including disabled access), tea and coffee making facilities in a pleasant foyer, and a simple photocopier available.

To come by public transport, catch a no. 70 tram up Riversdale Rd and alight at stop 50 (Wattle Valley Rd.)  For those with "wheels", a car park - entered from Dominic Street - is sited only a few metres from the entrance, where visitors are asked to use a buzzer to gain entry.  The library is open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, and 9.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Thursdays.

If you would like more information, please feel free to telephone on (03) 9836 2632, fax (03) 9011 9748 or e-mail stdomslibrary@op.org.au.
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