Edgar Cayce was a twentieth century psychic and medical clairvoyant. Cayce was known for putting himself and others in sleep induced states and conducting psychic readings. These readings led to diagnosing illnesses, and the use of holistic health to treat those illnesses. The Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E) Library serves as a living museum for his readings and work. There are more than 14,000 psychic readings that cover health-related information, philosophy and reincarnation, dreams and dream interpretation, ESP and psychic phenomena, and spiritual growth, meditation, and prayer. Additionally, the library is the home to books focusing on metaphysics, parapsychology, comparative religious studies, holistic health, ancient civilizations, and foreign language editions of Edgar Cayce books.

The library is located on the top floor of the A.R.E headquarters. It is a small space filled with tall floor to ceiling bookshelves. There are several tables and chairs set up as a work or meeting space. A few computers were set up for public use and there were two locked rooms that housed special collections. “Like other libraries we have discussed, rather than serving primarily as a physical place where information is stored, the special library is activity-oriented, focusing on meeting users’ information needs” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020). I definitely felt this sentiment on the day of my visit. When I entered the library, the librarian at the desk greeted me with an offer to tour the facility. I felt welcomed and she seemed excited to share what the library had to offer. I declined and instead spent my time there reading informational posters on the wall on how to use and read Cayce’s large collection of psychic readings. Overall, the library did not feel exclusive and welcomed anyone interested in Cayce’s philosophies. 

The space itself was a little tight and I would imagine it would be difficult for one with mobility issues to navigate. There was a large card catalog available to find books organized by what looked like the Dewey decimal system. The website is easy to navigate. It provides a link to their online catalog system, and lists the various collections that the library houses. It is open to the public, however, you must be a member of Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E., a student of Atlantic University or Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy in order to check out books.

References:

Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.).  ALA Neal-Schuman

Edcar Cacye’s A.R.E. (2021). Library – A.R.E. Virginia Beach Headquarters. https://www.edgarcayce.org/our-work/are-library/visit-the-library/