The Evolution of Rudolf Steiner Library: A Century of Growth and Insight

By Zoï Doehrer

In 1910, Danish-born anthroposophist Caia Aarup Greene established a mail-order anthroposophical library in New York, affiliated with the St. Mark’s Group in NYC. This initiative quickly attracted anthroposophists and seekers of knowledge from across the United States of America who eagerly borrowed books and had them shipped to and fro. The humble library flourished, boasting patrons as famous as Marilyn Monroe!

Now, over a century later, that library has evolved into the world’s largest English-language collection of Rudolf Steiner’s writings. Rudolf Steiner Library, located in Hudson, New York, is the only national anthroposophical research, archival, lending, and mail-order library in America. Since 2023, I have been privileged to serve as its Executive Director. As a Danish-American woman, I find it a special moment of destiny to lead this library whose roots trace back to Caia Aarup Greene, also a DanishAmerican woman. A remarkable full-circle moment...

In the 114 years that have passed since the beginnings of the library, many chapters have filled the pages of the library’s history. Some readers will remember Fred Paddock, who began his work with the collection in 1974, and shaped it into the treasure that it is today. For almost 30 years, Fred tended the stacks with great care, expanding the collection to include robust sections within the arts, Biodynamic agriculture, Waldorf education, history and classical literature, medicine, therapeutic arts, the sciences, philosophy, esotericism, and religion. This expansion beyond traditional anthroposophical texts came from his belief that anthroposophy should illuminate many fields of activity.

When guiding visitors through the library, I often emphasize that we have Rudolf Steiner’s works at the heart of the library, alongside materials by those who inspired Steiner - such as Meister Eckhart and Jakob Boehme - as well as authors who were inspired by Steiner or might have inspired Steiner, had he still been alive to read their work. Our collection, now home to 50,000 items - including extensive archival and periodical collections, some of which do not exist online - spans a remarkable range of subjects while staying true to its anthroposophical core. In an age increasingly leaning towards digital mediums, maintaining one of the largest anthroposophical libraries in the world is no small feat.

In 1982, the library relocated from NYC to Harlemville, New York, at the center of the growing anthroposophical community in the Berkshire-Taconic region. After Fred Paddock’s retirement in 2002, the library was nurtured by Judith Soleil and Judith Kiely, who honored Fred’s vision while modernizing operations to attract new generations of readers who could benefit from its resources.

In 2013, the library moved to its current location in Hudson, NY. By 2019, the stewardship of the library transitioned from the Anthroposophical Society of America to the Rudolf Steiner Cultural Foundation and subsequently to the Rudolf Steiner Library Circle of Friends, establishing as an independent institution. Today, the library relies on the generosity of people like you to keep its doors open.

This year, I introduced a tiered membership system, including monthly and equity options, to remove barriers to accessing the library’s collection and services.1 Since library membership is no longer included in Society membership, I warmly invite you to become a member of the library today! Visit www.rudolfsteinerlibrary.org/ membership to explore the benefits.

Your membership is more than a contribution; it is a direct investment in the library’s vitality, ensuring continued research services and access to our extensive collection in service of anthroposophy across America!

This year, 2024, has been a year of growth and exciting new initiatives at Rudolf Steiner Library. Our monthly biography lecture series, Encounters with Anthroposophy, has been a resounding success since its launch in 2023. This series offers a platform for sharing the stories of community members whose lives have been shaped by anthroposophy, highlighting the powerful ways in which destiny works and weaves through human biographies. I am pleased to announce that these lectures will soon be available online for our members.

Looking ahead to 2025, the library will expand its presence through a collaboration with Lightforms Art Center, a gallery working out of anthroposophy here in Hudson, NY. This expansion will include a reading room where select books from our collection can be checked out, and curated pop-up selections of books related to the gallery exhibitions will be available.

On a day-to-day basis, we serve patrons both locally and nationally, putting our reference and research assistance to good use over the phone and email, as well as in person. We mail books anywhere within the United States of America and are proud to be part of the Capital District Library Council, enabling us to share resources with libraries across the world through participation in an Interlibrary Loan program. To date, we have shared our books with over 500 libraries in America!

As we celebrate over a century of growth, Rudolf Steiner Library stands as a beacon for those seeking wisdom and insight through anthroposophical writings.

According to the Christmas Foundation statutes: “The Anthroposophical Society sees the School of Spiritual Science ... as a center for its activity.” The School can be likened to a university with its Sections representing departments, such as agriculture, education, arts, natural science, medicine, etc. Just as a university library serves as a vital resource for learning and research, Rudolf Steiner’s written and spoken-word legacy forms the core of anthroposophical teaching and research. The significance of Steiner’s printed works, which include books and lecture transcripts, is underscored by its inclusion in the original charter of the re-founded Society.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as the largest English-language anthroposophical library, the library’s journey reflects a commitment to this task. With the continued support of members like you, we look forward to embracing new opportunities, expanding our reach, and serving as a vital resource for generations to come. Join us in this exciting journey - together, we can ensure that the light of anthroposophy continues to shine brightly!

1 The Rudolf Steiner Library now offers flexible membership tiers and convenient monthly payment options for increased accessibility:

Tier 1 Youth/Equity $24/year or $2/month for 12 months

Tier 2 Standard $60/year or $5/month for 12 months

Tier 3 Supportive $120/year or $10/month for 12 months

Please help to safeguard this invaluable resource by becoming a member today!

Explore the extensive collection via the library’s online catalog and renew your commitment at: https://rudolfsteinerlibrary.org/memebrship

Any questions can be directed to the library’s Executive Director: Zoï Doehrer: director@rudolfsteinerlibrary.org