College and Research Libraries


National Conference of Theological Librarians 

A CONFERENCE which is unique ~n the history of theo'rogical librarianship in 
America was held on June 23-24 at Louis-
ville, Ky. Responding to a call sponsored 
by the American Association of Theologi-
cal Schools, fifty-one theological librarians 
and administrators gathered on the campus 
of the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary to 
consider common problems and responsi-
bilities and opportunities of seminary 
libraries. 

Recent years have witnessed rapid 
growth among the libraries of theological 
seminaries of the United States and Can-
ada. At present, approximately one hun-
dred and ten theological seminaries are 
affiliated with the American Association of 
Theological Schools, whose program of 
accreditation includes an examination of 
library facilities, program, personnel, and 
support. It was in connection with its 
concern for intensive study of seminary 
libraries during 1948-50 that the associa-
tion, at its meeting of June 12, 1946, re-
quested its executive committee to con-
sider the calling of a national conference 
of theological librarians and of others in-
terested and to make preliminary arrange-
ments for the calling of such conference. 

In addition to the discussion of basic 
probiems, attention was given to matters 
of organization and the execution of spe-
cific projects. Tentative approval of a 
constitution was given, setting up the 
American Theological Library Associa-
tion, with provisions for both individual 
and institutional memberships, and having 
the following stated purpose: 

. . . to bring its members into closer work-
ing relations with each other and with the 

OCTOBER~ 1947 

American Association of Theological Schods; 
to s,tudy the distinctive problems of theologi-: 
cal seminary libraries, to increase the pro-
fessional competence of the membership, and 
to improve the quality of library service to 
theological education. 

The following projects were determined 
upon, for intensive consideration during 
the coming year: AATS Booklist, Cata-
loging and Classification, Periodical Ex-
change, Religious Periodical Indexing, 
Publications, Personnel. Officers for the 
year are: president, L. R. Elliott, South-
western Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. 
Worth, Tex.; vice president, Raymond P. 
Morris Yale Divinity School, New 
Haven,' Conn.; secretary, Robert F. Beach, 
Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, Ill.; 
and treasurer, Ernest M. White, Louis-
ville Presbyterian Seminary, Louisville, 
Ky. The executive committee consists of 
the above officers, a representative of the 
American Association of Theological 
Schools, and the following members-at-
large: Kenneth S. Gapp, Princeton Theo- . 
logical Seminary, Princeton, N.J.; E. ~· 
George, Evangelical Theological Semi-
nary Naperville, Ill.; 0. Gerald Lawson, 
Dre~ Theological Seminary, Madison, 
N.J. ; Lucy W. Markley, Union Theologi-
cal Seminary, New York City; and Evah 
Ostrander, Chicago Theological Seminary. 

A full summary of the proceedings of the 
conference has been prepared. Persons de-
siring copies are invited to communicate 
with the secretary, Robert F. Beach. In-
quiries and applications for membership in 
the American Theological Library Asso-
ciation may be directed to the treasurer, 
Ernest M. White . 

RoBERT F. BEACH, Secretary 

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