Theological Librarianship: Toward a Profile of a Profession

Rashelle S. Karp and Andrew J. Keck

Theology touches almost everyone at one time or another. The librar­ ians who maintain, preserve, and disseminate theological information are critical to the perpetuation of theological study and enlightenment. However, the literature of librarianship is strangely silent on the topic of theological librarianship, and especially on issues that are unique to theological librarians-those who work with theologically or religiously focused collections or libraries that support the education and training of people preparing for the ministry.

IM,..~jijl search of Library ·Literature cal role of theological librarians as pres­ (1984-1994) yields fewer than ervationists and developers of special forty citations on the topic of cataloging and classification schemes that theological libraries or librar­ provide differentiation among specialized ians; a major review of the literature writ­ and diverse denominational resources; ten between 1924 and 1984 on the topic and (4) definitions of theological librar­ cites only another twenty-five articles.1 ians as people performing ministry and Selected studies that are considered land­ as people who provide linkages among marks include a 1934 study of ministerial theology, church, scholarship, education, education; a 1957 study of theological edu­ diverse constituencies, and both scholarly 8 24 cation; a 1970 demographic survey of and popular literature. - members of the American Theological Li­ brary Association (ATLA); surveys in 1971 Methodology and 1980 regarding faculty status among Based on the literature, researchers devel­ theological librarians; and a 1984 survey oped a questionnaire and mailed it to the concerning unique problems facing theo­ 371 American members of the ATLA 2 7 logical librarians of the 1990s. - listed in the ATLA Membership Directory The literature on theological librarian­ of 1994. (Survey questionnaires are avail­ ship notes: (1) the need for theological li­ able from the authors.) Researchers re­ brarians to acquire library, theological li­ ceived a total of 243 usable responses, brary, and theological professional edu­ yielding a response rate of 65.4 percent. cation; (2) a paradox that theological li­ They then used the SAS statistical pack­ brarians must formulate collection devel­ age to manipulate coded data, and data opment policies that are not denomina­ from open-ended questions were tran­ tional but collections that are; (3) the criti- scribed verbatim and then analyzed to

Rashelle S. Karp is a Professor of Library Science, Department of Library Science, Clarion University of Pennsylvania . Andrew J. Keck is Acquisitions Assistant at the Clifford E. Barbour Library of the Pitts­ burgh Theological Seminary, an MSLS student at Clarion Un iversity of Pennsylvania, and a part-time local pastor.

35 36 College & Research Libraries January 1996 discern trends and patterns. Additionally, of the respondents filled the post of clergy researchers matched each library repre­ at a local congregation, and out of this sented by a respondent to its entry in the group, a little under half (44.8%) received American Library Directory (online, Apr. payment for their clergy work. Addition­ 1995) in order to determine the propor- · ally, 34.6 percent of all the respondents tionate representation among types of li­ indicated that they were ordained. The braries (religious, college and university denominations to which respondents be­ religious, special religious, or public). longed covered a broad range of Chris­ tian sects, with the most represented de­ Results nominations including Roman Catholic, Demographics Presbyterian (USA), and Episcopal (see Libraries represented. Respondents rep­ table 1). A respondent on average had resented 137 religious libraries, 36 college worked 13.5 years as a theological librar­ and university (religious) libraries,25 col­ ian. lege and university libraries, 24 special As for respondents' personal theologi­ (religious) libraries, and 3 public librar­ cal positions, 39.4 percent indicated a lib­ ies.25 A little over 7 percent of the repre­ eral position, 27.1 percent indicated a sented libraries could not be categorized. moderate position, and 33.5 percent in­ Personal characteristics of respon­ dicated a conservative position. In mod­ dents. The average age of respondents est contrast, when asked to rate the theo­ was forty-eight years, and the sample logical positions of their parent institu­ comprised 56.8 percent males and 43.2 tions, 29.2 percent of the respondents in­ percent females. A little over 14 percent dicated a liberal position,25.4 percent in- dicated a moderate position, TABLEt and 40.2 percent indicated a conservative position; 5.1 Denominations Represented by Respondents (n=230) percent indicated that their institutions had no theologi­ Denomination %of respon. cal position. Baptist (American Baptist) .4 In terms of involvement Baptist (Southern Baptist) 6.9 in the activities of their lo­ Baptist (Other than Southern or American) 6.5 cal congregations, 11.3 per­ Church of God .4 cent of the respondents in­ Church of the Brethren .8 Disciples of Christ 1.7 dicated that they were not Episcopal 11.3 involved in the religious ac­ Evangelical Free 1.3 tivities of their local congre­ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gations, and 23.6 percent (formerly Lutheran Church in America) 8.2 indicated that they were not Jewish (Conservative) .4 involved in the social activi­ Jewish (Reform) .4 Lutheran (Missouri Synod) 1.3 ties of their local congrega­ Mennonite 3.0 tions. A little over 65 percent Nondenominational 3.9 indicated moderate levels of Orthodox (Greek) .4 involvement in the religious Orthodox (Other than Greek) 1.3 activities of their local con­ Pentecostal .4 gregations, and 66.7 percent Presbyterian (USA) 11.7 Presbyterian (Other than USA) 5.2 indicated moderate levels of Roman Catholic 12.6 involvement in the social ac­ United Church of Christ 3.9 tivities of their local congre­ United Methodist 9.5 gations. Finally, 23.4 percent Other 8.5 indicated that they were Theological Librarianship 37

very involved in the reli- TABLE2 gious activities of their local congregations, and Recommended Augmentations of 9.7 percent indicated that Library Staff (n=588) they were very involved in the social activities of Identified Positions No. % their local congregations. Public Service/Reference Professional Respondents had mostly (especially for nights and weekends) 92 15.6 positive feelings about Cataloging Professional 65 11.0 their local congregations Systems/Automation Librarian 54 9.1 Technical Services Paraprofessional 52 8.8 (79.7%) and the denomi­ Rare Books Professional/Archivist 47 7.9 nations to which they Circulation Librarian 46 7.8 personally belonged Special Collections Librarian 41 6.9 (68.7%). Electronic Resources Reference Librarian 26 4.4 Employing libraries' Generalist/Floating Paraprofessional 25 4.2 characteristics. In terms Technical Services Librarian 20 3.4 Administrative Assistant (especially for of staffing, the average nights, weekends, alv and office) 21 3.5 number of full-time paid Support Staff (including student supp. staff) 21 3.5 library staff at institu­ Serials/Periodicals Librarian 17 2.8 tions of responding li­ Collection Development Librarian 13 2.2 brarians was seven; the Interlibrary Loan Librarian 9 1.5 average number of part­ Bibliographic Instruction Librarian 9 1.5 time paid library staff Preservation/Conservation Librarian 9 1.5 Serials Paraprofessional 6 1.0 was six; and the average Reference Paraprofessional 5 <1 number of full or part­ MedialAudiovisual Librarian 5 < 1 time library volunteers Distance Education Librarian 3 < 1 was one. The majority of Paraprofessional for Research Support 1 <1 the libraries employed Generalist/Floating Professional 1 < 1 between one and eight full-time paid staff, between zero and six tronic resources, and automation of li­ part-time paid staff, and no volunteers. brary processes (see table 4). Respondents indicated, on average, that Academic status of librarians. Faculty their current levels of staffing were mod­ status only was held by 23.1 percent of erately adequate. Similarly, on average, the respondents, 26 percent had admin­ respondents indicated that their current istrative status only, 25.6 percent held a levels of funding were moderately ad­ combination of both faculty and admin­ equate. istrative status, and 25.2 percent held a When asked what three positions they rank other than administrative or faculty would most like to add to their library, status. The types of rank identified by respondents indicated that their top pri­ those who held other than administrative orities included reference, cataloging, and or faculty status included paraprofes­ automation professionals (see table 2). sional or staff, academic, or professional Degrees considered to be the most impor­ (but not eligible for tenure); faculty (but tant credentials for those filling these po­ not eligible for tenure, sabbaticals, or fac­ sitions included a master of library sci­ ulty vacation schedules), adjunct faculty ence (MLS), a bachelor's degree, and a (without voting privileges), faculty (but theology degree (see table 3). Finally, re­ without rank or tenure); faculty (but for spondents indicated that the areas which the calendar year with salary adjust­ were most in need of funding at their li­ ments); parish-based rank; permanent braries included books and journals, elec- staff; professional/ technical staff; librar- 38 College & Research Libraries January 1996

salaries were lower than TABLE3 the salaries of administra­ Recommended Degrees for Library Staff tors at their institutions. Augmentation (n=549) Degrees held by library staff. The average number Recommended Degrees Number % of library staff per library Master's of Library Science 248 45.1 holding an MLS degree Bachelor's Degree 109 19.8 only was two; the average 51 (7.0%) number of library staff per Theology Degree- Master's 12.7 Bachelor's 19 (2.6%) library holding only a Master's of Divinity 42 7.6 theological degree was Bachelor's of Science in one. In addition, the aver­ Information Science 29 5.2 age number of library staff High School Diploma 19 3.4 per library holding both an Second Master's (history, music) 15 2.7 MLS degree and a theo­ Doctorate 8 1.4 logical degree was one. In Master's of Religion 3 < 1 terms of sheer numbers, Master of Theological Studies 3 <1 the most represented Conservation Degree 3 < 1 postbaccalaur-eate degree was the MLS, followed by ian status; middle management; and an MLS plus a theological degree, and, managerial/ professional librarian status. lastly, theological degrees only. Salaries. Over half of the respondents Professional degrees most often held (53.1 %) reported salaries between $22,501 by the respondents included: a MLS and $37,500 per year.26 None of the re­ (88 %), master of divinity (39 %), doctor of spondents perceived their salaries to be philosophy (17%), master of arts in reli­ outrageously higher than they should be, gion (16 %), master of theological studies but 7.5 percent did perceive them to be (9 %), master of the science of theology more than reasonable, and 52.2 percent (6%), and doctor of ministry (1.6%). Other rated their salaries as reasonable. A little degrees noted by 23 percent of the respon­ over 35 percent believed them to be lower dents included the certificate in archives than they should be, and 4.2 percent be­ administration, master of arts, master of lieved their salaries to be outrageously business administration, master of church lower than they should be. The majority music, master of theology, bachelor of of respondents indicated that their sala­ sacred theology, sacred theologiae lector ries were reasonable or slightly lower or licentiatus, master of arts in Christian than reasonable. religion, master of theology, master of religious education, master of science, master of education, master of philoso­ Over half (70.4%) of the respondents phy, doctor of canon law, master of sa­ indicated that, theoretically, theo­ cred music, master of religious education logical schools should provide a mix in missions, licentiate in philosophy, doc­ of professional education and tor of the science of theology, master of academic education . ... Christian spirituality, certificate of ad­ vanced studies in library science, and the In comparing their salaries with fac­ MLS. Analysis of the universities at which ulty at their institutions, respondents in­ respondents obtained their degrees indi­ dicated, on average, that their salaries cated tremendous variety; no single uni­ were slightly higher. In contrast, the ma­ versity emerged as more representative jority of respondents indicated that their than any other. Theological Librarianship 39

Attitudes of Respondents Regarding fessional; and 8.3 percent indicated that Their Parent Institutions, Theological theological schools should focus on aca­ Librarianship, and Ministry demic education. When asked about the Attitudes toward parent institutions. main purpose of the theological school The majority of the respondents (89.9%) supported by their library, 50 percent in­ indicated that they held neutral or posi­ dicated that their institution provided a tive feelings about their parent institu­ mixture of academic and professional tions, and overwhelmingly indicated the education; 12.9 percent indicated a fo­ following reasons for their responses: cus on academic education; and 37.1 • commitment and support by faculty percent indica ted a focus on profes­ and administration for the goals of high­ sional education. quality education and library service; Perceptions about the positives and • congruence between respondents' negatives of theological librarianship. personal philosophies and their institu­ Respondents overwhelmingly indicated tions' missions related to ministry, theo­ the following positive attributes of work­ logical education, and spiritual ethos; and ing as theological librarians (summarized • collegiality among faculty. by authors): Other reasons frequently cited in­ • the theological and spiritual focus cluded quality and enthusiasm of stu­ of their work and the environment in dents and faculty, visionary leadership, which they worked; diversity within the institu- tion, humane treatment of em- TABLE4 ployees, and the librarians' ability to affect institutional Recommended Areas for Library Funding decision making. Respon­ Augmentation (n=561) dents who held mostly nega­ tive feelings about their par­ Recommended Areas No. % ent institutions (10.1 %) indi­ Books/Journals 151 26.9 cated difficulties keeping up Electronic Resources 120 21.3 with librarianship, theology, Automation of Library Processes 110 19.6 and technology; sexism; disad­ Technical Services/Processing 33 5.8 vantages of those without Facilities (shelving, building clergy degrees; poor leader­ expansion, off-site storage) 32 5.7 ship; lack of support for the li­ Equipment (fax, PC/CD-ROM brary; and lack of congruence workstations, microform readers, between respondents' personal equipment upgrades and philosophies and their institu­ replacements, furniture) 28 4.9 tions' missions and goals re­ Preservation/Conservation 24 4.2 lated to theology and denomi­ Special Collections 19 3.3 national focus. Retrospective Conversion Cataloging 11 1.9 Beliefs about the purpose Salaries 7 1.2 of a theological school. Over Professional Growth/Travel 6 1.0 half (70.4%) of the respon­ Microforms 6 1.0 dents indicated that, theoreti­ Audiovisual Materials 5 < 1 cally, theological schools Document Delivery/ILL Postage 2 < 1 should provide a mix of pro­ Binding 2 < 1 fessional education and aca­ Security System 2 < 1 demic education; 21.3 percent Instructional Services < 1 believed that theological Supplies < 1 schools should focus on pro- Endowments < 1 40 College & Research Libraries January 1996

• the perception that they were per­ mation professional. In contrast, 10.2 per­ forming ministry work; cent of the respondents indicated that • the work of being a librarian; they did not perceive their work as a form • being part of a seminary commu- of ministry and 36.2 percent held a pro­ nity; fessional image of themselves as more an • the humanizing effect of their in­ information professional than a person stitutions' theological focuses. involved in ministry. Just over 37 percent The most frequently cited negative at­ of the respondents held a professional tributes of working as a theological librar­ image of themselves that included both ian included (summarized by authors): roles equally. • difficulties keeping up with theol­ Perceptions of theological librarian­ ogy, librarianship, and technology; ship as a calling. When asked about • lack of financial support for the li- whether theological librarianship was a brary; vocational "calling," 67.8 percent of the • poor administration of seminaries; respondents reported that theologicalli­ • low salaries; brarianship represented a vocational call­ • too much paperwork; ing for them, and 32.2 percent indicated • lack of status, recognition, and re­ that it did not. Almost all of the respon­ spect; dents who indicated that theological li­ • working in a sexist, male-domi­ brarianship was a vocational calling indi­ nated environment; and cated that their choice to be librarians was • denominational and seminary poli­ secondary to their choice to be involved in tics. the work of ministry; librarianship repre­ Attitudes toward the importance of sented the vehicle through which they dealing pastorally with people. When could pursue a higher calling. asked about the relative importance of Comparisons with other types of spe­ dealing with people in a pastoral way, 24 cial librarians. It is illuminating to draw percent of the respondents indicated that comparisons between theologicallibrari­ it was not important for a theological li­ anship and other niches in the profession, brarian to deal pastorally with people, such as law and medical librarianship. 23.5 percent believed it was moderately Like theological librarians, law and medi­ important, and 52.5 percent indicated that cal librarians often possess a master's 27 29 this type of behavior was very important. degree in addition to the MLS. - Addi­ When asked whether they, themselves, tionally, law, medical, and theological li­ dealt with patrons and colleagues in a brarians deal with unique ethical issues. pastoral way, 29.4 percent responded For example, job satisfaction for theologi­ that they did not, 23.0 percent indicated cal librarians seems to be linked to the that they behaved pastorally to a degree of agreement between institu­ moderate degree; and 47.7 percent indi­ tional and personal theological/ ethical cated that they behaved pastorally to a belief systems. Medical and law librarians great degree. must deal with ethical issues related to Perceptions of theological librarian­ the nature of the information with which ship as a ministry. When asked whether they work and the dilemma that, al­ they perceived their work as theological though the library code of ethics pro­ librarians as a form of ministry, 9.8 per­ motes open access to all information, ir­ cent of the respondents indicated that responsible dissemination of medical and they believed their work to be a form of legal information can harm more than ministry, and 26.7 percent held a profes­ help. Thus, for medical and law librar­ sional image of themselves as more a per­ ians, professional ethics also come into son involved in ministry than an infor- conflict with personal beliefs.30-32 Theological Librarianship 41

Finally, like theological librarians, law questions still remain from the research. and medical librarians display a tendency It would be helpful to explore more to view their work as a calling rather than fully respondents' comments regarding a profession, believing that through pro­ the positives and negatives of theologi­ viding crucial information, they are aid­ cal librarianship. For example, how ing patients and clients as much as the prevalent are these perceptions, and how physicians and lawyers themselves. This do they contribute to the professional type of attitudinal environment may con­ image of theological librarians? In addi- tribute to special librarians' beliefs that they "make a difference."33 And perhaps because of these feelings, job satisfaction The research also indicates that the theological and spiritual focus of is high among law, medical, and theologi­ theological librarians' work is an callibrarians. However, researchers note integrated and important compo­ that burnout often occurs when reality nent of their attitudes toward consistently falls short of the ideals the theologicallibrarianship. librarian wishes to believe.34

Conclusions and Suggestions for tion, must a theological librarian have a Further Research theological degree in order to meet the The present research indicates that Chris­ needs of her or his patrons adequately? tian theological librarians working in re­ Other interesting potential areas to in­ ligious or college or university religious vestigate are the role of nonlibrarians/ libraries: (1) are professionally and spiri­ paraprofessionals within theological li­ tually fulfilled; (2) hold theological belief braries, or the extent to which theologi­ systems that mirror those of their parent cal librarians' professional images reflect institutions; (3) believe their work to be a those of librarians working in other types form of ministry; and (4) identify theo­ of special libraries. Finally, the present logicallibrarianship as a calling. The re­ research provides information about how search also indicates that the theological Christian theological librarians view their and spiritual focus of theological librar­ work. However, more information is ians' work is an integrated and important needed about the ways in which non­ component of their attitudes toward theo­ Christian theological librarians view the logical librarianship. However, many profession of theologicallibrarianship.35

Notes 1. Ron Jordahl, "The Interdisciplinary Nature of Theological Librarianship in the United States," Libraries & Culture 25 (spring 1990): 153-70. 2. The Education of American Ministers, ed. Mark A. May (New York: Institute of Social and Religious Research, 1934). 3. H. Richard Niebuhr, Daniel Day Williams, and James M. Gustafson, Advancement of Theo­ logical Education (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1957). 4. David William Faupel, "Reference Service Provided by ATLA Librarians," ATLA Newsletter 19 (Aug. 14, 1971): 19-26. 5. G. Paul Hamm, "The Library Role in 1971: A Survey of Administrators and Librarians of AATS," ATLA Newsletter 21 (Aug.18, 1973): 28-47. 6. James C. Pakula, Faculty Status and Theological Librarians, ERIC Document Number 200 208. 7. Stephen L. Peterson, "Theological Librarians for the Twenty-First Century: Project 2000 Final Report," Theological Education 20 (supp: no. 3): entire issue. 8. Doralyn Hickey, "Education for Theological Librarianship: A Library School Perspective," ATLA Newsletter 11 (Feb. 15, 1964): 45-51. 42 College & Research Libraries January 1996

9. Robert F. Beach, "Education for Theological Librarianship," in American Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings. Tenth Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.:, ATLA, 1956): 9-13. 10. Raymond P. Morris, "The Libraries of Theological Seminaries," in The Education of Ameri­ can Ministers, ed. Mark A. May (New York: Institute of Social and Religious Education, 1934): 149-91. 11. "The Vocation of the Theological Librarian," American Theological Library Association. Sum­ mary of Proceedings. 17th Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.: ALTA, 1963): 114-22. 12. Connolly C. Gamble, "Contemporary Challenges to Theological Librarianship," Ameri­ can Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings, 16th Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.: ATLA, 1962): 44-48. 13. Joseph P. Brown, "Current Concerns: College/University, Seminary Libraries," Catholic Library World 54 (Oct. 1982): 101-2. 14. James Dunkly, "Some Values in Theological Librarianship," American Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings . 46th Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.: ATLA, 1992): 194. 15. Earle Hilgert and Elvire Hilgert, "The Librarian-Educator in a Theological School," in Essays on Theological Librarianship, ed. Peter De Klerk and Earle Hilgert (Philadelphia: ATLA, 1980): 119-42. 16. Peterson, "Theological Librarians for the Twenty-First Century," 25. 17. Niels Sonne, "Current Trends in Theological Libraries," Library Trends 9 (Oct. 1960): entire issue. 18. Joseph P. Brown, "Current Concerns: College/University, Seminary Libraries," Catholic Library World 54 (Nov. 1982): 146. 19. Molly Lyons, "The Seminary Library," Catholic Library World 58 (July I Aug. 1986): 46. 20. Stephen L. Peterson, "The More Things Change-The More Things Change: Theological Libraries in the 1990s," Theological Education (spring 1990): 148-49. 21. James Dunkly, "Theological Libraries and Theological Librarians in Theological Educa­ tion," American Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings, 45th Annual Conference (Evanston, ill.: ATLA, 1991): 231. 22. Rosalyn Lewis, "Theological Librarianship: Service, Not Servitude," American Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings, 42nd Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.: ATLA, 1988): 154-57. 23. James J. Kortendick, "The Theological Librarian- His Commitment and Strategy," Ameri­ can Theological Library Association. Summary of Proceedings, 19th Annual Conference (Evanston, Ill.: ATLA, 1965): 105-11. 24. John Frederick Harvey, "Scholarly and Popular Religious Libraries," International Library Review 19 (Oct. 1987): 359-86. 25. Categories are based on identifications in the American Library Directory. 26. It should be noted that the questionnaire did not specifically ask for "cash salary" as opposed to "cash value" of salary. Therefore, some reported salaries may be higher, especially for respondents who also receive housing and food as part of their total compensation package. 27. B. B. Bonney, "The Controversy Over Dual Degrees for Law Librarians," Legal Reference Services Quarterly 11(1/2) (1991): 127-33. 28. Rachael K. Goldstein Anderson, "Reinventing the Medical Librarian," Bulletin of the Medi­ cal Library Association 77 (Oct. 1989): 323-31. 29. Kathleen M. Carrick, "Silk v Corduroy: The Status of Men and Women in Law Librarian­ ship," Law Library Journal 78 (summer 1986): 425-41. 30. Ibid. 31. Jitka M. Hurych and Ann C. Glenn, "Ethics in Health Science Librarianship," Bulletin of the Medical Library Association 75 (Oct. 1987): 342-48. 32. Guiliano Chicco, "Ethics and Law Librarianship: A Panel Discussion," Law Library Journal 83 (winter 1991): 1-19. 33. Ruth Holst, "Hospital Libraries in Perspective," Bulletin of the Medical Library Association 79 (Jan. 1991): 1-9. 34. Veneese C. Nelson, "Burnout: A Reality for Law Librarians?" Law Library Journal79 (spring 1987): 267-75. 35. Laura Berner Cohen, "Synagogue Libraries: Making It on Their Own," Special Libraries 86 (spring 1995): 91-106. INFORMATION COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

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