Author:        Pitts Theology Library.

Title:         Agency history record.

Call Number:   RG 020
 
Notes:

The library of the Candler School of Theology was founded with the school in 1914 to support the research needs of the students and faculty of the theology school. It was first located in the Wesley Memorial Building in downtown Atlanta where the seminary originally opened. In 1916 the library moved to the Theology Building, the first facility constructed on the present Emory University campus. This building housed the Chancellor's office, other offices, classrooms, and the university chapel, in addition to the library. In 1937 the library expanded into the basement area of the building. Further renovation to the basement for more stacks became necessary in 1956. The theology library was named "Pitts Theology Library" in 1973 in honor of Miss Margaret A. Pitts and her father, W.I.H. Pitts, a long-time supporter of the university and the theology school.

The purchase of the 220,000-volume book collection of the Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1975 required a dramatic alteration to the building in 1976. The university renovated the Theology Building to be used solely as a theology library and later built a new chapel.

Mrs. John Goff was the first professional librarian in the theology library, and in 1933 Elizabeth Royer was named as the library's first director. Upon her retirement in 1971, Dr. Channing R. Jeschke became library director, serving in this position until his retirement in 1994. Dr. M. Patrick Graham followed Jeschke as the third director in the library's long history.

The materials collected by the library primarily relate to the development of Christian history and thought. In particular the library focuses on materials that relate to the history of religion, the interpretation of Scripture, the study of the history of Christianity, the development ofChristian theology, and the practice of Christian life and ministry. Materials are collected in English, German, French, Latin, and other languages as deemed necessary. Specific areas of concentration include materials related tothe western church; Protestantism; and the church in America, Great Britain, and Germany, with emphasis on the Protestant Reformation in Germany until 1570; English religious history (1660-1918); the history of Methodism; theological disputations and dissertations from northern European institutions (16th-19th centuries); the history of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa; English and American Christian hymnody; and the writings of Thomas Merton.

Currently library operations are divided among the following departments: Administrative Services, Archives and Manuscripts, Cataloging, and Public Services.

Record ID:     GAEV98-A3