Library
The Library of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem is among the largest Christian theological libraries in the Holy Land and Middle East. Its aim since its inception in 1972 is to be a research Library for an international community of theological scholars doing doctoral and post-doctoral work, as well as a general use library for the public. Over the years the Library has assembled some 65,000 volumes, and subscribed to more than 400 journals. The holdings are strong in Ecumenism, as well as in matters concerning interreligious dialogue with Judaism and Islam. We also have a rich collection of ancient and patristic authors, as well as the great medieval and Reformation theologians. Our stocks of books in biblical studies, systematic theology and ethics, as well as church history, are very good. Most of our books & journals are in English, French and German, but Spanish, Italian and Greek. Arabic and Hebrew are also featured.
Books and journals from all fields of theology are available in open stacks on the three floors with elevator service to all floors. All materials must be used in the Library itself, but for resident scholars the Library is accessible 24 hours per day and private study rooms are also made available.
Soon our holdings will be separated out and be available directly. Our Library users can also search the online catalogues of other libraries, in Jerusalem and all over the world. Currently two thirds of our library card catalogue, is accessible online and the remainder is due to be completed this year.
The University of Notre Dame has been computerizing the Tantur Library card catalogue, and the library holdings can now be seen on their website (Hesburgh Libraries). To access the Tantur Catelogue from the above website please complete the following steps.
- Click on Hesburgh Libraries link above
- Click on More Search Options
- Go to All Locations
- Click on the scroll down menu until you arrive at Tantur Library, Jerusalem
- Begin your search using the different fields provided
Links to other libraries in Jerusalem
Jerusalem has many institutes for theological research and studies, whose libraries are easily accessible for Tantur residents. Foremost for biblical scholars is the École Biblique et Archéologique of the French Dominicans with large holdings in biblical and related studies, The Studium Biblicum Franciscanum on Via Dolorosa is also worth visiting as well as the Jesuit Pontifical Biblical Institute Library.
Archeologists can visit the large Library of Israel Antiquities Authority at the Rockefeller Museum and the Israel National Museum. as well as the W.F. Albright Institute of Archeological Research of the American School of Oriental Research, and the Deutsches Evangelisches Institut für Altertumswissenschaft des Heiligen Landes on the Mount of Olives. The National Library of Israel located on the Givat Ram Campus of Hebrew University with its 5 million books (searchable Online) has just about everything for the student of Jewish Studies, but a good, accessible selection of Jewish literature is found also in the Abramov Library of the Hebrew Union College. The library of the Centre d’Étude Saint-Pierre de Sion-Ratisbonne specializes in the study of Judaism and Jewish-Christian relations.
Jerusalem houses rich collections for the study of Eastern Churches, among them one of the largest Armenian libraries in the world – the Gulbenkian Library of the Armenian Patriarchate. Also available are the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Library and the St. Anne's Library of the White Fathers. Anyone interested in Messianic Judaism will find study resources at the Caspari Centre Library.
Library Support and Donations
Over the years the Tantur Library has been supported by the French Association for Tantur Ecumenical Institute (now part of the Association Unité des Chrétiens) with books in the French language. Most recently we received the bequest of Oscar Cullman’s personal library as well as the library of the Israel-Palestine Centre for Research and Information. Tantur is very interested in other scholars and institutes who would like to consider donating their collections to Tantur's Library.
Opening hours and details:
Monday to Thursday: 8.00am -12.00pm
Friday, Saturday, and all afternoons: on appointment:
- Tel : 00 972 (0)2 6760911 or 00972 (0)2 6760912 (extension 415 or 416)
- email : jmazoyer@tantur.org