Saint John’s Cathedral Library

Many of our parishioners agree that the library is one of the most beautiful rooms in the Cathedral complex. The library has been in operation for several decades, but it may also be one of the Cathedral’s “best kept secrets”, tucked away on the second floor above Dagwell Hall. Originally a large room used as a meeting place for various Cathedral guilds, its transformation was carefully planned and carried out by the Committee on Housing in 1958.

Since that time, with support from our clergy, a multitude of willing volunteers has collected, purchased, cataloged, shelved and helped to circulate the ever-growing collection. For many years, Joyce White took the responsibility of volunteer librarian, and continued the transfer of the collection into Library of Congress cataloging.

In 2008 Ann Jones, retired middle school teacher-librarian and former member of the Cathedral choir, was asked to be the new volunteer librarian. Since then the entire library collection of over 4,500 books has been inventoried, weeded, relabeled, re-shelved, and transferred to a computer catalog with access by author, title, subject and keyword. A new Fiction section has been added and over 350 children’s books, located in the Christian Education office, have been added to the computer catalog.

New books are purchased throughout the year and displays of materials are changed frequently to encourage readership for current Christian Formation classes, seasons of the Church year, and other topics of interest to our parishioners. The library has an outstanding collection of materials on art and architecture, the Bible, Church history, Islam, Judaism, meditation, philosophy, prayer, and current social issues.
Parishioners and other members of our community throughout Denver may check out books by signing and dating the checkout card in the book, along with a phone number or email address, and leaving it on the library desk. Books are due when they’ve been “read, marked, learned and inwardly digested” and renewals are easy with a call to the library at 303-831-7115, extension 7728.

The library is open on Sunday morning before and after morning services, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 4:00, and on Wednesday from 9:30 to 6:00.


Glory in the Wilderness
Saint John's Episcopal Cathedral is a Denver Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Sites. In celebration of the Cathedral's 100th anniversary this November, an art book written by Ann Jones, the volunteer librarian, will be released on Sunday, October 30. Glory in the Wilderness: the art of Saint John's Cathedral guides the reader on a journey through the Cathedral, with the light and color of stained glass, the warmth of polished oak carvings, and the richness of brass and wrought iron, then continues with art treasures found in the hallways, gardens, meeting rooms and chapels of this beautiful place. With descriptions, and more than 300 photographs taken by photographer and owner of GuestGuide Publications® Susie Masterson, the book also includes an index of memorials, information about the stained glass studios and artists, one hundred years of milestones, and a special tribute to the restoration and return of the historic Platt Rogers organ. For other purchase options please email info@guestguidepublications.com or visit the Tattered Cover bookstore in Denver.

 
Book Club - Spring 2012
Sunday, February 12 at 10:00 am in the Library.
This group will be discussing Marilynne Robinson's novel, Gilead, a tale of three generations from the Civil War to the twentieth century and a story about fathers and sons and the spiritual battles that still rage at America's heart.

Sunday, March 11 at 10:00 am in the Library.
This group will be discussing The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer and will be led by John Hart.

Sunday, April 15 at 10:00 am in the Library.
This group will be discussing Blue Nights by Joan Didion and will be led by Lou White.

Sunday, May 13 at 10:00 am in the Library.
More information coming soon.