Allen Mueller, Director of the Luhr Library, is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He brings a unique perspective to his role at Eden, having served as a parish pastor and as a librarian in federal government libraries and in theological seminary libraries affiliated with the United Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran Churches.

He views his role as steward of the library. “It is my responsibility to continue library cooperation with Webster University’s Emerson Library and to further develop Luhr’s collections, services and facilities.”

According to Dr. Mueller, “the library participates in the mission and programs of the Seminary by acquiring materials that document the breadth and depth of religious practice and theological thought and by enabling patrons to make effective use of library resources.”

“Beyond the conversations that take place in classrooms and in small groups, another dimension of theological study is dialogue with those who have been influential in shaping the church in the past and whose legacy is left to us in historical writings. Still other conversation partners are those of our own time whom we can possibly meet only through the resources of the library. Along with the historical figures, the contemporary voices often represent traditions, places and cultures different from our own. The Luhr Library aims at enriching the thinking of its users with both old and new insights and ideas.”