A Short History of the Library

During the first years of operation the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s 1,100 books, inherited from the Austin School of Theology, were kept at the professors' houses. In the 1920s the books were relocated to the basement of Sampson Hall, which would serve as the library for many years. By 1943 the library had 17,000 volumes but still no building of its own.

When Dr. David L. Stitt became seminary president in 1945, he and his board identified a library building as one of the seminary’s greatest needs. On May 23, 1950, the first library building was opened. Norman D. Dow served as the seminary’s first official librarian from 1955 until 1965. The library flourished under Stitt’s presidency, and by the time Stitt left office it had 93,000 volumes. When Stitt resigned in 1971, the library was named to honor him and his wife Jane. In 1973 a Task Force for Library Development was formed under Calvin C. Klemt, librarian from 1966-1988, noting that the current rate of material acquisition necessitated an addition to the library. The addition was completed in 1978. Under Valerie R. Hotchkiss, Library Director from 1990-1994, an automated circulation system and an online catalog were installed in 1991, and in 1995 under Library Director Timothy D. Lincoln the Stitt Library celebrated the acquisition of its 150,000th book.

Stitt Library expanded in 2020-2021 and is now the Wright Learning and Information Center, creating more space for books and people. Some of the new additions include more student-friendly spaces like the Wardlaw Commons, study carrels, a larger reading room, conference rooms, an assembly space, the Digital Education Center, a Media Lab, and expanded Archives.

Stitt Library Reading Room, circa 1950

What has changed since the 1950s? Stitt Library expanded in 2020-2021 and is now the Wright Learning and Information Center, creating more space for books and people. Some of the new additions include more student-friendly spaces like the Wardlaw Commons, study carrels, a larger reading room, conference rooms, an assembly space, the Digital Education Center, a Media Lab, and expanded Archives.

Students with Microfilm machine, circa 1950

What is microfilm?

Microfilming is the process of copying documents, drawings, and other materials at a reduced scale for compact storage. Think of it as the precursor to USBs and Cloud storage!

Fun fact: One of our most unique microfilm items in the archives is the Apollo XIV mission Bible, which was one of 300 microfilm copies of the King James Bible taken to the moon by astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell in 1971.

Austin Seminary Bookstore, circa 1950

The Austin Seminary Bookstore functioned from the 1950s to June 2014, providing access to textbooks, devotionals, and seminary accoutrements.

Austin Seminary Bulletin: Special Library Issue, Vol.78, No.7 (April 1962)

This Special Library Issue features articles on what materials were available (theses, rare books and manuscripts, microfilm, film strips, phonorecords, recording tape, minutes, periodicals, and newspapers), library staff, and services provided.

"The Ghetto" Basement Coffee House

Excerpt: "The coffee house's name was suggested to remind the seminary community that it is easy to fall into a "ghetto mentality," separated from the City of Austin and The University of Texas"..."Students and faculty can meet together for coffee, cold drinks, and doughnuts in an environment which stimulates responsive discussion."

Library Patrons at Coffee House, circa 1967-1968

Located in the basement of Stitt Library, the Ghetto coffeehouse was frequented by students, faculty, and staff in the 1960s-1970s. The "Modernistic Mural" along the wall was said to "demand involvement in today's society."

Stitt Library Booksale

The Stitt Library used to host a yearly book sale up until 2018-2019. Now, in place of a sale, a free book cart is available in the main lobby for anyone in the community to browse.

Stitt Library Booksale Sign with an external view of the library, 1994-1995

Stitt Library Booksale

Man selects books from library booksale, 1994-1995

Stitt Library Booksale

Man with a bag browsing a book at the booksale, 1994-1995

Turn of the Century: 1990s-2000s

A woman uses a library computer, 1994

Turn of the Century: 1990s-2000s

Man selects a book from the library shelving, 1994

Turn of the Century: 1990s-2000s

Student takes notes in the reading room, 1994

Turn of the Century: 1990s-2000s

Class discussion outside Stitt Library, 2001