St. Joseph Renewal Center Library

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St. Joseph Renewal Center Library is located on the first floor of the Villa Flora in beautiful historic St. Augustine. The collection is divided into the categories listed below and our on-site searchable database uniquely provides access to titles, abstracts, legacy, and Library of Congress Classification for each book. The library is owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a 501(c)3 charitable organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Origin and History of the Library

The library began as a resource center to the spiritual formation program for new members of the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine. This program and its location are called the Novitiate.

Along with spiritual preparation for religious profession, the Sisters began their professional ministry training as teachers through St. Joseph Teacher Training Institute which evolved into St. Joseph Junior College accredited through Catholic University of America, and later into St. Joseph College of Florida located in Jensen Beach.  The library collection expanded as needed.

In 1966, St. Joseph College of Florida expanded beyond a Novitiate-only institution to a two-year Liberal Arts co-ed college with a full residential campus that included a free-standing library/media center.

In 1972, due to financial constraints, the St. Joseph College of Florida campus was sold to the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) whose main campus is in Melbourne, Florida, primarily for its Marine Science Program.  When FIT purged their library to fit their curriculum, books on Theology, Philosophy, Church History, Spirituality, Religious Life, and other Christian/Catholic-related topics were returned to the Sisters; they became the seed of the library located at the Villa Flora in St. Augustine as part of the relocated Novitiate Program.  From 1975-1995, the Novitiate Program further expanded the library with updated materials.  Professed members of the Congregation who were studying for degrees in Theology, Religious Education, and Spirituality were often the source for new additions.

As the number of new candidates for the Novitiate diminished and the facility was being under-utilized, the Sisters of St. Joseph re-designated it as a spiritual renewal center, offering programs and retreat time for the laity who, since Vatican II’s renewed call to holiness for all the baptized, were looking for  opportunities for spiritual enrichment. The library is now open to the public.

Interested in Library Membership?

Becoming a member provides:

  • Membership Card

  • Access to the library 1 day a week (Tuesday, 9-4 pm)

  • Check-out up to two books for a month.

Basic Annual Membership Fee: $25

College Student Annual Membership Fee: $10

For more information or to make a special appointment, contact Eric R. George, PhD at 904-806-3724 or at DOL123@outlook.com.