Books have always been a big part of my life. My father had a wonderful library. He was a member of a book club that regularly sent him beautiful editions of literary classics, everything from Homer to Dickens and Dostoyevsky, Cervantes and Voltaire, Trollope and Hardy, Conrad and on and on. When, as a senior in high school, I was required to write a literary response (book report) on a classic every month, I only had to visit my father’s study to find something acceptable. My dad also had a wonderful library of railroad books that I begged to explore; it was a veritable treasure trove for a little boy who was fascinated with trains. My mother was no slouch either, when it came to reading. While my dad tended toward the classics, my mother was an avid reader of contemporary works, especially fiction.
My folks also bought books for me from the time I was a toddler and read to me regularly when I was young. My mother told me, “Books are our friends,” and instructed me to value and care for these precious items. In elementary school students were given the opportunity to buy books monthly from the Scholastic Book Club, and I regularly partook. Several of these volumes are still in my library.
As a college student, I began to amass text books in an era when buying used books had not yet become popular. As my studies began to concentrate on biblical, I began to collect scholarly tomes on the Old and New Testaments. Collecting theological works began in earnest when I was in seminary. We were encouraged by our professors to buy books, keep abreast of the latest trends in theology and biblical studies, and establish personal libraries. An older colleague told me that one of his professors at Gettysburg Seminary (who had retired by the time I arrived there), encouraged his students to “collect a library that will make your widow proud.” I’m not sure if he said this with a straight face or not (he was known for being a classic “nutty professor” and making outrageous statements), but his point was shared by every seminary professor – a pastor’s library can’t be too big!
As a college student, I began to amass text books in an era when buying used books had not yet become popular. As my studies began to concentrate on biblical, I began to collect scholarly tomes on the Old and New Testaments. Collecting theological works began in earnest when I was in seminary. We were encouraged by our professors to buy books, keep abreast of the latest trends in theology and biblical studies, and establish personal libraries. An older colleague told me that one of his professors at Gettysburg Seminary (who had retired by the time I arrived there), encouraged his students to “collect a library that will make your widow proud.” I’m not sure if he said this with a straight face or not (he was known for being a classic “nutty professor” and making outrageous statements), but his point was shared by every seminary professor – a pastor’s library can’t be too big!
Nevertheless, my library is considerable, especially when you consider that I have many books of various genres – history, literature, railroads (of course!) – at home. We’re downsizing in retirement, and thanks to electronics, the internet, and at least a pause in pastoral ministry; I’m hoping not to take my whole library with me.
I’ll keep a collection of biblical commentaries, Lutheran standards, and a few favorite works, but I’d be happy to part with much of my theological library before my departure this summer. Are any of you interested in expanding your libraries? In the next few weeks I’ll pull out the keepers and open my library to inspection. I’m also interested in parting with a few of my non-theological volumes, mostly history and literature. Let me know what your interests are, and I let you know what’s available. Even if you’re not interested in adding volumes to your library, if you know anyone or any organization that’s in the market for books, please let me know. They’re free for the taking!
In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay