Catholic Theological Seminaries and Their Libraries

topic under consideration in the current issue of Library Trends re-flects an educational situation which is in the process of change and development. As the broadening concept of the role of theology in general education gains wider acceptance the problems and procedures described in these pages may soon become part of the professional life of the public and college librarian. Although there never was a formal limitation of the scientific study of theology to those destined for the service of the altar, until recent years this restriction was generally the case. I t has been difficult for the layman to pursue theological studies within a framework of education designed for the preparation of candidates for the priesthood. At the present time there is a growing conviction that the study of religious truths on an ad-vanced, but not professional, level while limited in penetration should not be restricted in the manner of presentation or in the scientific development of the subject matter.l> The need for competent teachers of sacred doctrine led to the formation of graduate departments of theology in at least twenty universities which can in no way be considered seminaries. Such institutions as Fordham, Notre Dame, St. Mary's to name but a few, grant a master's degree in course to all who complete the requirements. The subjects offered may be described as theological in the strict sense of the term, and without apology we may refer to the graduates, lay and religious, as theologians. To provide an organization for profes-sional discussion, in 1955 these theologians held the first meeting o