The GCTS Library System collects and maintains resources supporting the study and research of our students, staff, and faculty. The collection development document below is current as of June 24, 2025. It is subject to review and update by the Senior Librarian in consultation with the GCTS Faculty and Library Staff. It relates to the mission of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and the ATS Standards of Accreditation for Library and Information Standards.
GCTS LIBRARY SYSTEM COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Collection development policy of the Gordon-Conwell Library System at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, updated June 24, 2025.
1. Collection Development Purpose and Aspirations
The primary purpose of the collections at the Gordon-Conwell libraries is to support degree programs and courses offered across all locations. The curriculum focuses on graduate professional degrees for vocational Christian ministry and related fields, as well as pre-doctoral and doctoral academic degrees and faculty research support.
Core Aspirational Principles:
• A commitment to equal access for all Gordon-Conwell students regardless of location, campus, program, or modality.
• Cooperation among libraries to maximize cost-effectiveness without compromising access.
• Regular policy review by library staff and administration to adapt to changing modalities and technologies.
• Prioritizing collections to support curriculum, with secondary support for faculty research.
• Preserving and transmitting the evangelical Christian heritage through archives and special collections.
2. Accreditation Standards
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Standards require curated collections sufficient in quality and depth to support programs and a regularly updated collection development policy.
3. Agreements with Partner Institutions
Each GCTS library location participates in regional consortia including the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium (BTI), The North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE), Carolinas Theological Library Consortium (CTLC), and the ATLA Reciprocal Borrowing Program, expanding access through cooperative agreements. Libraries focus development on areas of strength while leveraging partnerships for
broader access.
4. Collection Levels
4.1 Curricular Support
Collections are built to the Instructional Support Level, adequate for graduate instruction and sustained independent study, including basic monographs, representative journals, and reference tools.
4.2 Library Specializations
Individual libraries may specialize: Goddard (Hamilton) on New England evangelicalism, theology, and biblical studies; Lindsell (Charlotte) on the religion in the American South and counseling; Jackson (CUME) on Boston urban ministry; Jacksonville Hub on reference resources; all locations support each other collaboratively.
5. Formats
5.1 Print Materials
Preferred language is English; foreign languages, (Chinese, New Testament Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish), are collected for curricular support. Hardbacks preferred; multiple copies for high-demand titles.
5.2 Electronic Collections
Electronic resources are selected through EBSCO Host and other vendors by subscription. Policy development includes print vs. electronic relationships, open access materials, and database subscriptions.
5.3 Print Journals
Goddard Library (Hamilton) handles all print journal subscriptions; other GCTS libraries are limited to digital delivery of serials.
5.4 Other Formats
Audio-visual materials are collected sparingly; online delivery preferred. DVD remains for non-digital content; limited equipment is maintained for legacy formats.
6. Methods of Acquisition
6.1 Purchase Orders: Individual titles acquired based on requests, reading lists, and budgets. Focus on minimizing total cost of selection and processing.
6.2 Standing Orders: Established for key series and publishers, reviewed every three years.
6.3 Gift Books: Accepted if in like-new condition, with final approval by Senior Librarian; donations without conditions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and accepted only with a signed Deed of Gift.
7. Weeding and Inventory
Collections are periodically reviewed for relevance, condition, usage, and superseded editions. A full inventory is conducted every five years to verify holdings and weed as necessary.
8. Archival and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections maintain unique materials requiring tailored policies. Access and processing are managed separately from general collections.
8.1 Archives Room
The Archives Room, located on the Hamilton campus, houses primary source research collections in a secure space. Appointment only.
Adventual Collection. Material related to the Advent Christian Church and former Berkshire Christian
College. Appointment only.
Harold John Ockenga Collection. Papers, books, sermons, recordings, and memorabilia of Dr. Harold J. Ockenga.
Stored in over one hundred archival boxes. Appointment only.
Garth M. Rosell Collection. Course materials, papers, and ephemera stored in over eighty boxes. Closed to the
public.
Garth M. Rosell Seminar Room. Non-circulating personal library of Dr. Rosell focused on American evangelicalism.
Kerr Building Room 243.
8.2 Antiquarian and Rare Books Collection
The Archives Room is home to over one thousand rare Bibles and books dating back to the sixth century. Students in upper-level Hebrew or Greek courses, and post-graduate programs (ThM, ThD, PhD), may access the Bibles with written permission of the Senior Librarian and their GCTS or BTI professor. Closed to the public.
8.3 Faculty Publications
Two copies of faculty book publications are kept in circulation and special collections.
8.4 Specific Special Collections
Goddard, Lindsell, Jackson libraries hold specialized collections such as archaeological artifacts, denominational material, and faculty papers, accessible by appointment.
8.5 Masters and Doctor of Ministry Theses
Master’s level theses demonstrate a student’s mastery of a specific theological subject. Doctor of Ministry theses reflect action research integrating practice with biblical and theological scholarship. Digital copies of theses and dissertations are available online and available from Internet Archive and Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN). Abstracts are searchable in Research in Ministry (RIM). A limited number of bound copies of theses and dissertations, provided courtesy of GCTS students, are available for check out in person from the Goddard Library (Hamilton).
Standard 6. Library and Information Services
6. Library and Information Services: Theological schools are communities of faith and learning grounded in the historical resources of the tradition, the scholarship of the academic disciplines, and the wisdom of communities of practice. Theological libraries are curated collections and instructional centers with librarians guiding research and organizing access to appropriate resources. Libraries and librarians partner with faculty in student learning and formation to serve schools’ educational missions and to equip students to be effective and ethical users of information resources.
Library Purpose and Role
6.1 The library has a clear statement that identifies its purpose and role in the school and the ways it contributes to achieving the school’s educational mission. The library’s purpose statement forms the foundation for evaluating library and information services.
6.2 The library is understood by the school’s leadership and stakeholders as a central academic resource that enhances the school’s educational programs. Library and information services personnel play a significant and collaborative role in curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation.
Library Staffing and Evaluation
6.3 Library and information services personnel are of sufficient number, have appropriate qualifications and expertise, and are supported by adequate resources and opportunities for ongoing professional development.
6.4 Library and information services personnel are appropriately integrated into the school’s leadership, faculty, and decision-making structures, including budgeting and strategic planning processes.
6.5 Library and information services personnel regularly evaluate the adequacy and use of services and resources, including those provided contractually or collaboratively, documenting that the information needs of the school’s students and faculty are met in ways that are appropriate to the school’s educational mission, degree programs, and educational modalities.
Library Services and Resources
6.6. The library offers services that enhance student learning and formation and partners with faculty in teaching, learning, and research. Librarians provide reference services, help users navigate research resources, teach information literacy skills, support the scholarly and educational work of the school, and foster lifelong learning.
6.7 The library curates and organizes a coherent collection of resources sufficient in quality, quantity, currency, and depth to support the school’s courses and degree programs, to encourage research and exploration beyond the requirements of the academic program, and to enable interaction with a wide range of perspectives, including theological and cultural diversity and global voices.
6.8 The library has a collection development and access policy that is consistently used, regularly evaluated, and periodically updated to ensure it meets the current and future needs of the school.
6.9 The library has sufficient financial, technological, and physical resources to accomplish its purpose and to give equitable attention and access to all the school’s degree programs and modes of educational delivery.
6.10 The library provides environments conducive to learning and scholarly research, with appropriate agreements for its contracted or consortial resources.