Dr. Stanton Library

While all libraries have the purpose of documenting the culture, the Dr. Stanton Library (DSL) has an additional aim: to invest each visitor not only with a greater knowledge of the life issues, but also with a deeper sense of his or her own sacredness and the sacredness of every human life.

HISTORY

The Dr. Joseph R. Stanton Human Life Issues Library and Resource Center opened in 1996 with a gift from the late Dr. Joseph Stanton of his life’s work - a collection of books, periodicals, audio/video and files. Dr. Stanton, a physician who was active in the pro-life movement from the late 1960’s, founded Boston’s Value of Life Committee and is well-known as one of the chief archivists of the pro-life movement in the United States. To this initial collection has been added the records of a number of pro-life groups and individuals, including the Center for the Rights of the Terminally Ill and Dr. C. Everett Koop, former Surgeon General of the United States.

MISSION

It is the mission of the DSL to advance a sense of the sacredness of human life in all society in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church by providing educational, intellectual and cultural resources of both an historic and contemporary nature to support the culture of life. The Library is at the service of all people.

TOPICS

The DSL covers topics relating to the sacredness of human life with a special emphasis on direct “attacks affecting [innocent human] life in its earliest and final stages.” (cf EV, 11). The human life issues with the most extensive coverage are abortion and other attacks on innocent human life prior to birth, the sanctity of human procreation, and euthanasia and related issues.

COLLECTIONS

The Resource Center includes ready, hands-on materials such as curricula, current events files, brochures, audiotapes and videos. It is specifically geared to the needs of parents, teachers, catechists, students, and those active in the pro-life movement.

The Library Collection includes books, newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals particularly useful to scholars, pro-lifers, students, health care personnel, lawyers, parents, teachers, catechists, politicians, those facing difficult life-or-death decisions, and all interested in encountering the truth.

The Archival Collections document the history, people, organizations, ideas, and ways of evangelizing on the sacredness of human life. It is made available primarily to scholars promoting the culture of life.

 

For more information, or to volunteer at the DSL,

contact:
Sr. Theresa Elizabeth, S.V., Director
1955 Needham Avenue
Bronx, NY 10466
phone: 718.881.7286
fax: 718. 881.7287