obtain a copy by writing the Library, so long as they last). The Biola Library has probably the largest number of titles by authors as sociated with the so-called Plymouth Brethren of any library in America. The extent to which this group of writers has influenced Biblical and doctrinal studies during the last cen tury and a half has often been argued. Outside of the Biola Library no col lection exists which could form the basis for an investigation into this problem. The Librarian maintains as a hobby the definitive checklist of these authors. For some time the Library has been interested in collecting sample copies of little known religious magazines. We know of no other library that is doing this. We now have several hun dred of these, and a survey of them is most fascinating. Many libraries, including the Library of Congress, throw away hundreds of gift maga zines. We recently wrote the Library of Congress about an eschatological magazine that they had once listed, and they said they had discarded it— not one copy was to be had. Ideally a sample collection like this should contain the first issue published (and we have some of these), the last and first issues of any change of title, and the last issue. Probably 90% of these titles are not recorded in any biblio graphic work. One could go on with little things that go on around The Biola Library that make it different from some oth er libraries, but space will not allow it. Visitors enjoy our rare book collec tion, our reading room with its 400 or more current periodicals, and the many interesting reference books, in dexes, and our display case, to say nothing of our audio-visual depart ment. We even own an Israel stamp collection! Biola College provides a minor in Library Science, and we have sought to support this program of studies by providing a well cataloged collection and to practice the principles of cata loging standardized by the American Library Association and the Library of Congress. We vary these at some few points, where our own needs can be better served. The Library, its ref erence collection, periodical indexes, and bibliography room, thus become an ideal laboratory for Library Sci ence students. We are dedicated to the task of making the finest workshop for the students of the Biola schools that we can put together within our limita tions. The plus factors help to make the load of study a little easier, artd produce results in research that would not otherwise be possible. 19
for a number of reasons we decided to go after everything we could get in this field, which includes Hebrew- Christian relationships, missions to Jews, converts from Judaism to Chris tianity, and vice versa, and related subjects. Outside of what the large Jewish libraries of the country have of this material in their collections, The Biola Library has doubtless the best collection of this material in the United States, if not in the world. We add to this constantly, and where titles are hot available, or are too costly, we have been acquiring micro film copies of some items. In this col lection are many titles that could not be found elsewhere in America.
ics against them), and Bible transla tions. We have some very rare items in these fields, in many cases the only copy in America. A good general collection, with a few special strengths of this kind, go a long way toward making a library one of major proportions and signifi cance. But in some respect a library is no better than its bibliographic collec tion. At this point we have justifica tion for considerable satisfaction. The Biola Library has the best biblio graphic collection of any library of its size that we know about. We have virtually all the basic bibliographies of American book production, and a good start on the British. We have the current bibliographies of Canada and India. The Library has had for some years the entire series of the Library of Congress Catalog of Print ed Cards , and the two sets of subject card reproductions that have been published. We have the printed lists of one of the largest Jewish collec tions in the country, and of the larg est theological library in the world. Our section on subject bibliography covers a wide range of subject matter, and contains everything in the reli gious range of subjects in which we are interested that we could acquire. The collection provides bibliographic access to over 3,000,000 volumes, and if pamphlets, government publica tions, and audio-visual materials are included, probably around 5,000,000. The Library has a particular inter est in religious books in series, and is the headquarters for the bibliograph ic control of religious publications in series for western theological libra ries. It is estimated that about one- third of all religious titles being pub lished today in the world are in series. Nothing substantial has been done bibliographically in this field before. The publisher has given the Library a set of the famous Moody Colportage Series, one of the most extensive, and most fruitfully used, of all religious series in the saving of souls and the building up of Christians in the faith. The Librarian is particularly sensa- tive to this series, because it was through the reading of No. 1 in the series, Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s A ll of Grace , that he came into the assurance of salvation. The Library is binding this series in volumes of four titles each. Many are unavailable, but we are seeking to fill in the gaps as we are able. The 430th title in this series has recently been published. Moody Press itself had a difficult time compiling the list. One collection of which we are particularly proud is the Hebrew- Christian Collection. Some years ago NOVEMBER, 1963
Entire books are aavilable on 3 x 5 cards enlarged on this portable screen. Last year the Library embarked on another venture that is proving very exciting. So far as we were able to determine from correspondence and a five-week tour of libraries in Amer ica, no library in the United States is engaged in bringing together a defini tive collection of eschatology. There are a number of interesting collec tions in denominational libraries, but they are limited in scope. The Biola Library has, therefore, set itself the task of collecting everything that seems at all significant in all phases of eschatology — Biblical prophecy, immortality, secular prophecies, eth nic and national eschatology, etc. This includes books, pamphlets, maga zines, charts, and other materials. We had a good collection to begin with, which has resulted from the cumula tion of many gifts in the past. We have the only copy in America of the 3-volume report of the first prophetic conference (1827-29). The field is large, books are not easy to acquire for the most part, and runs of pro phetic magazines are exceedingly scarce. We have built up some of these that we are sure are not to be found elsewhere in the country. We have already listed around 140 titles of prophetic magazines, many of them long since dead, and to be had only on microfilm. (Anyone interested in this list, and having use for it, can
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