About the Library

MISSION STATEMENT : William Smith Morton Library supports its two contributing schools (Union Presbyterian Seminary and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond) by providing integrated access to and training in the use of resources in traditional formats as well as information technology that can facilitate the teaching, learning and research of students and faculty.  Within the bounds of this curricular focus, the Library also seeks to offer resources to congregations, their members and others for their study and growing understanding of Christian faith and practice.

Our Collections and Services

The William Smith Morton Library, completed in 1996, is a spacious facility built in keeping with Union´s historic landmark campus. At the same time, the new facility incorporates our computer network and other electronic technologies. For a map of our campus location, click HERE. Download a library audio tour to your mp3 player HERE.

Our seminary library is one of the nation´s finest resources for study in theology, Bible, and church history. The primary mission of the Library is to support instruction at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and at Union Presbyterian Seminary. In addition to our library holdings, students have a ccess to collections at partner libraries in the Richmond area. The library also participates in VIVA/VICULA and the American Theological Library Association.

The book collection numbers more than 315,000 volumes and grows at a rate of some 5000 volumes per year. The Library receives more than 600 current print periodicals and 6000 electronic journals. This major research library, with strengths in Presbyterian history, theology, and biblical studies, houses the collections of Dr. George Gunn (Scots history, literature, and theology), Dr. H.H. Rowley (Old Testament), Dr. Gotthold Muller (19th and 20th century German theology and philosophy with Reformed and Lutheran writings), Dr. Thomas F. Torrance (patristics, Calvin, and other Reformed materials) and Dr. John Bright (Old Testament and Ancient Near East). We are now in the process of cataloging the Hugh McElrath hymnal and sacred music collection.

The Instructional Resource Center is located on the second floor of the Library. It houses a great variety of non-print materials and a large collection of teaching materials and curricula. The audio-visual holdings of Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education were combined in the early 1970s. This resulted in a more centralized collection of media for students, faculty, and community patrons. The integration of print and non-print items is significant in theological libraries and greatly enhances the Library's service to the community.

For more information, please see our Library's online Administrative Manual.

Union Presbyterian Seminary