The Veech Library, named in honor of Monsignor Thomas McNevin Veech, is a renowned institution deeply rooted in Australia’s early colonial history. Originally established at St. Mary’s Cathedral site by Archbishop John Bede Polding, the library’s collection has grown significantly over the years through strategic acquisitions and generous donations. With a strong focus on Catholic theology and a rich background in continental and Irish literature, the library now boasts a diverse range of theological literature and philosophical works, catering to the evolving needs of a contemporary theological faculty.
Offering a comprehensive range of services, the Veech Library houses a lending collection featuring works in areas such as patristics, ecclesiology, ethics, and philosophy, as well as a reference collection comprising encyclopedias, dictionaries, and major Church documents. Students and researchers also benefit from access to over 200 periodicals, a reserve collection for high-demand course materials, and special collections including the Australian Documentation Centre, the Hibernica Collection, and rare pre-1800 books. The library’s commitment to providing up-to-date online and electronic resources underscores its dedication to supporting academic excellence.
As a partner institution of the University of Notre Dame, Australia, the Veech Library is affiliated with the Catholic Institute of Sydney, a prestigious ecclesiastical faculty offering formal theological studies at the Baccalaureate, Licence, and Doctorate levels. Recognized in both ecclesiastical and Australian jurisdictions, the institute upholds the sacred sciences and provides a platform for theological education, ministry training, and personal enrichment. Accredited by the Australian Government’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the Catholic Institute of Sydney stands as a beacon of academic excellence and theological scholarship in the region.
