General Information about the Burke Library

Introduction & Mission | Articles about the Burke Library from the Union News (PDF files)

Hours of Operation | Access and Circulation Policies | Library Staff

Lost Materials and Fines | Locating Guide (PDF file) | Scholars-in-Residence Program

INTRODUCTION

The Burke Library, the largest theological library in the western hemisphere, contains rich collections for theological study and research. With holdings of over 700,000 items, the Library is recognized as one of the premier libraries in its field and includes extensive holdings of unique and special materials. Throughout its long history, the Library has maintained its commitment to the needs of both teaching and research, serving not only the faculty, staff and students of Union, but also a wide spectrum of national and international scholars and researchers. The Library is named in honor of Walter Burke, a generous benefactor of the Library who served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Seminary from 1976 to 1982.

MISSION

The mission of the Burke Library is to identify, acquire, organize, provide access to, interpret, and preserve for the future information in the field of theology and contextually related areas of study, to support the specific instructional and research needs of the Seminary and to provide resources for the scholarly community in theology and related areas of the humanities. In sustaining its mission, the Library reflects in its collections the pluralistic and ecumenical concerns of the Seminary while maintaining its role as a comprehensive resource within the limits of its collecting policies. In carrying out its mission, the Library cooperates with other institutions both regionally and nationwide as it serves not only Union Theological Seminary and its institutional affiliates but also a broad spectrum of individual scholars and church persons from New York City, the nation and the world.

ARTICLES ABOUT THE BURKE LIBRARY FROM THE UNION NEWS (.PDF format)

• Research in the McAlpin Collection on Letters from Prison
  
  
• Great Awakening: $9.8 million in grant money will fund the renewal of the Burke Library
  
  
• Missionary Research Library Collection: From Idea to Special Library to Special Collection