Religion Collections in Libraries and Archives: A Guide to Resources in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Table of Contents - Preface/Acknowledgements - Abbreviations Lists of Entries: District of Columbia - Maryland - Virginia

Howard University School of Divinity:
The Library

Access Policies

The Library is open to the community. Borrowing privileges are restricted to students, faculty, staff and the Washington Theological Consortium. Interlibrary loan requests are accepted only in writing using the correct form.

Reference Policy:

Telephone, mail, and e-mail inquiries are accepted.

Borrowing Privileges:

Not a lending library, with the exceptions listed above.

Networks/Consortia:

OCLC, Washington Theological Consortium. Holdings are listed in OCLC.

Background Note:

The Library of the School of Divinity traces its history to the founding of Howard University in 1867.

Description of Collections

Books and monographs:

The Library holds 111,107 volumes, primarily from the 19th to 20th centuries. Subject emphases reflect the areas of study at the Divinity School. They include biblical studies, reformed theology, church history, ethics, world religions, pastoral counseling, urban ministries, African religions, and African-American religious history. Of special note is the Howard Thurman Educational Trust, the emphasis of which is African religions.

There is a card catalog for materials prior to 1975 and an online catalog for materials after 1975.

Periodicals and newspapers:

The Library holds 256 subscriptions and 9,090 volumes, primarily published in the 19th to 20th centuries.

The online catalog covers these titles. The subject emphases of the serial collection mirrors those of the book collection.

Microforms:

The Library holds 4,227 reels of microfilm. These include dissertations and back issues of religious journal titles. The online catalog covers these titles.

Videos and Sound Recordings:

The Library holds 385 titles, which include a combination of locally developed audio and videotapes of Howard University Divinity School special events and convocations as well as some commercially developed videotapes.

Vertical files:

There are five file cabinets (with five drawers each) of historical materials dating from the 19th century. The collection consists primarily of clippings, biographical sketches, programs of convocations, and other activities held at the School of Divinity.

Databases, CD-ROMS, and other machine-readable sources:

ATLA Religion Database on CD-ROM, Biblical Studies, Complete Works of John Wesley, Greek Tutor, Hebrew Tutor, PC Study Bible.

Subject Headings