Graduate Theological Union Library

I am a graduate of ABSW/​GTU and I must say that the GTU Library houses an excellent collection of books. Further, the library staff are very helpful in assisting you with accessing other campus libraries when necessary.

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The Graduate Theological Library (GTU) is the largest theological library on the West Coast. I received my MA and am working on a PhD through GTU/​Cal Berkeley and this library has suited every need I have ever had through the years of torturous and dreadful research, study and paper writing.
The library offers comfortable seating, several group study rooms, group study tables (we call them «talking tables»), work stations, several computers, any type of copy machine you can think of, updated work from any scholar in theological studies, the theses and dissertations of all the grads, helpful attendants and some of the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen.
The library offers two levels of books, periodicals, articles, etc. There is a third level where GTU holds meetings for Phd students, lecturing scholars, workers and the like. I remember my first day of school at the GTU wherein we awaited the counsel early one morning for a «meet and greet» and some delicious food in the large meeting room upstairs. I sat with two other PhD students awaiting our welcoming introduction to the facility as we were super early, but treated welcomingly and warmly (which truly helped to ease the tension) while we awaited a few others.
The library offers a type of «debit card» for copies so that cash is not necessary. This makes life really easy because one can fill their card with funds, slip the card into their backpack and then always have funds for copies and so forth – I have forgotten my wallet so many times, that little card saved my life!
I teach undergraduate students and each new school year I have brought the new classes to the GTU for a «field trip» so they too could access this phenomenal library. I expect my students to research and write at a high level, and with the GTU as a resource, they have no excuse. I have, over the years, witnessed several former students at the library, and am always happy and excited to see that they continue to use this valuable resource, as well as introduce new students and friends to the GTU.
Many colleges in the Bay Area suffer with libraries that simply cannot facilitate the student’s needs for study and research; however, not so with the GTU – this library is fascinating, organized and stocked with anything one might need for said goals.
I love this library and I love the staff that works here.
Stephani Smiles for the GTU Library ;)
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