Library History
The development of the Golden Gate library system has been an important part of the heritage of the school, contributing to the education and formation of Christian leaders who are now serving throughout the world.
Currently, the library collection, spanning five campus locations, includes 200,000 materials.
1944
On March 31st, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary was established in Berkeley, Calif. At this point, steps were already being taken toward building a usable, practical library. Several hundred books were expected to be available when the seminary opened in September.
1946-1947
A library fund was started for the purchase of the best available books for research. The Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) recommended materials for the library to purchase. These were valued at $5,000 and were considered the best, most up-to-date books available.
1948-1949
A library committee was established, including J.B. Kincanon, W.M. Averett, and Mrs. E.H. Childress. At this point, the collection consisted of 4,950 volumes.
1950
Mrs. Clyde L. Jackson was named the first full-time librarian. By now, the library had a reading room, periodicals room, and a reserve book section.
1952
Dr. S. Madge Lewis became the librarian and stayed in this position through 1953.
1953
Shortly after the end of World War II, land was purchased for new seminary facilities on Strawberry Point in Marin County, California.
Strawberry Point, Mill Valley, Calif., in 1953. San Francisco is in the background.
1956
In April, New Testament professor, Dr. A.J. Hyatt, became the librarian and stayed in this position until his death in 1967. There were now more than 10,000 titles in the library collection.
1959
On July 1st, the seminary moved from Berkeley across the Bay to Mill Valley, located in Marin County. More than one-half of the Administration Building on both floors was given over to the library, and 28,000 books were now on the shelves.
1968
Dr. G. Paul Hamm became the librarian and stayed in this position through 1979.
1973
Classes began at the Southern California campus in Garden Grove. An on-site library began to be developed.
1979
By this time, there were 75,000 volumes in the Mill Valley campus library collection.
1980
Dr. Cecil R. White became the librarian and stayed in this position through 1987.
On April 16th, groundbreaking for the new library building at the Mill Valley campus took place.
1981
On October 14th, President William M. Pinson, Jr. led in the dedication of the completed library building on the Mill Valley campus.
1987
By this time, there were 96,500 volumes in the library collection. The Southern California campus relocated to Brea. Library development began at the newest regional campus in the Pacific Northwest, located in Portland, Oregon.
1988
William B. Hair became the library director and stayed in this position through 1994. There were 125,000 volumes in the library collection by this time.
1991
The Marian Eakins Archaeological collection was dedicated and housed in the library at the Northern California campus.
1994
Barbara E. Dabney became the Director of Library Services and remained in that position until 2003.
1995
Another regional seminary campus was opened in Phoenix, Arizona, creating the Arizona campus which housed a beginning library.
1996
The Rocky Mountain campus, located in Centennial, Colorado, was added to the seminary.
1998
The Pacific Northwest campus relocated to Vancouver, Washington. The campus and its library are located in the Northwest Baptist Convention offices.
1999
The Rocky Mountain Campus library and its collection began from scratch in a storage room of the Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC) building.
2000
On March 30th, the new, automated library system was dedicated. The system allows library patrons to find library resources electronically, as well as allowing patrons account maintenance.
2002
The Arizona campus relocates from Phoenix to Scottsdale. This move locates the Golden Gate Seminary regional campus in the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention offices.
2003
Kelly Campbell was selected as the Director of Library Services.