The David L. and Jane Stitt Library, named in honor of the Seminary's fourth president and his wife, is at the core of the educational enterprise at Austin Seminary. The collection traces its origins to the second half of the nineteenth century, making it one of the oldest and most distinguished seminary libraries west of the Mississippi.
At present the Seminary's collection numbers over 160,000 volumes with excellent holdings in most theological subject areas. Particular strengths are biblical archaeology, biblical studies, early church literature, the continental Reformation, Presbyterianism, and theology. Other well represented areas include religious history, literature, women's studies, minority studies, and pastoral care. In addition, the library's archival holdings contain the records and papers of numerous southwestern presbyteries.
As an added benefit, Austin Seminary students share borrowing privileges with students at The University of Texas (U.T.) and the Seminary of the Southwest. U.T.'s Perry Casteneda Library houses approximately nine million volumes, collecting broadly in many disciplines that support theological study. The Seminary of the Southwest library contains more than one hundred thousand volumes which complement the collection of the Stitt Library.
The atmosphere of the library, with its open stacks, large reading room, and secluded study areas, encourages lively exploration and serious contemplation. A changing series of exhibits and displays make even a short visit to the library a learning experience. Moreover, because the collection is open to the public, the presence of many local ministers and university scholars also contributes to the intellectual activity in the library.
