Abstract: Despite the laborious process of copying by hand, a wide variety of books seems to have been available in the Church in North Africa. The collection at Hippo, supplemented by Augustine's personal library, included Bibles in Latin and Greek and the works of several Church Fathers. Stenographers were used to transcribe sermons and public debates, as well as take down Augustine's theological works as he dictated them. These records give indications of how biblical codices were used for teaching and liturgical purposes.

Keywords: codex, stenographer, copyist, scribe, liturgy, sermon, Gospel, book trade, library, dictation,