Inventory of the Graduate Theological Union Library Construction Photograph Collection

Marie Dunlap
Graduate Theological Union Archives
Graduate Theological Union
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, California, 94709
Phone: (510) 649-2523/2501
Email: archives@gtu.edu
URL: http://www.gtu.edu/library/special-collections/archives
© 2009
Graduate Theological Union. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Graduate Theological Union Library Construction Photograph Collection

Collection number: GTU 94-9-2

Graduate Theological Union Archives

Graduate Theological Union

Berkeley, California
Processed by:
Marie Dunlap
Date Completed:
2009
Encoded by:
Marie Dunlap
© 2009 Graduate Theological Union. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Graduate Theological Union Library construction photograph collection
Dates: 1979-2004
Collection number: GTU 94-9-2
Creator: Graduate Theological Union. Library
Collection Size: 1.4 linear feet (3 boxes)
Repository: The Graduate Theological Union. Library.
Berkeley, CA 94709
Abstract: The GTU library building was constructed in two phases: Phase I (1979-1981), during which the basement and level one were built, and Phase II (1985-1987), during which levels two and three were completed. The library was renovated in 2000-2001 and 2004. The collection comprises photographs, negatives, and slides documenting the construction and renovation of the GTU library building. It also includes photographs of GTU library administrators and employees taken during the construction and renovation processes. The bulk of the photographs in the collection were taken by GTU cataloging librarian James P. Else.
Physical location: 1/H/5
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Graduate Theological Union. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Graduate Theological Union as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred Citation

Graduate Theological Union Library construction photograph collection, GTU 94-9-2. Graduate Theological Union Archives, Berkeley, CA.

Biography / Administrative History

In 1969, the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) Common Library in Berkeley, California, was established and moved into temporary quarters in the basement of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The site for a new library building at the corner of Ridge and Scenic, known as the "Wilson Property," was purchased from the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the San Francisco Theological Seminary. In 1972, architect Louis I. Kahn was chosen to design a library and administration building. Kahn completed preliminary designs, but died suddenly in 1974. The GTU then selected the architectural firm of Peters, Clayberg and Caulfield to complete the project Kahn inspired.
The process for building permits was difficult. By 1979, after many delays, permits were granted, but the building fund was not enough to cover the cost. The GTU Board of Trustees decided to build the library in two phases. Phase I construction, consisting of the basement and level one, began in 1979, and was completed in 1981. John Baker-Batsel, librarian, directed volunteer crews of students, faculty, trustees, and staff to move approximately 300,000 volumes from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific basement and the Pacific School of Religion Library into the new half-completed building.
Phase II construction of level two, to complete the library, and level three, to house GTU administration offices, began in 1985 and was completed 1987. Acknowledging a substantial contribution from the Hewlett Foundation, the GTU Library was named the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library in May 1987.
An ever-growing collection and ever-advancing technological innovations necessitated renovations in the library, 2000-2001, during the tenure of director Bonnie Hardwick. Compact shelving was installed on level one to increase available shelving. A teaching lab was built on level two, providing library staff and GTU faculty electronic classroom capabilities using advanced technological teaching tools. Lighting in the library atrium was replaced in 2004.
Adapted from "Library History"   by Lucinda Glenn.

Scope and Content of Collection

Spanning the years 1979 to 2004, this collection comprises photographs, negatives, and slides documenting the construction and renovation of the GTU Library. It also includes photographs of GTU Library administrators and employees during the construction and renovation processes. Images were created and collected by various photographers and GTU offices, and have been gathered into a single, artificial, and ongoing collection to facilitate organization and access. Photographs, negatives, and slides were variously stored in developers' envelopes, manila envelopes, albums, plastic sleeves, small file drawers, and loosely in a single box. While photographs and negatives in file drawers appear to have been arranged chronologically by their creator(s), their original organization has been disrupted by use. Original, chronological order has been retained for photographs stored in albums. Otherwise, images have been arranged in chronological order based on notes on developers' envelopes, captions on photographs and sleeves, and other identifying features. While efforts have been made to correctly identify undated images, chronological errors are possible.
The collection has been divided into six series: Phase I, 1979-1981; Phase II, 1985-1987; Renovation, 2000-2001; Photograph Albums, 1979-1981, 1985-1986; Negatives, 1979-1981, 1985-1987; and Slides, 1985 and 2004. Images in the Phase I series were most likely created and collected by the GTU Development Office. Dates and other identifying information can be found on the reverse of most photographs in the Phase I series. The bulk of the images in the collection were taken by GTU cataloging librarian James P. Else to document Phase II library construction (1985-1987). These include most of the photographs in the Phase II series, and all of the photographs in Album 3 (see series description). Most of these images include dates and other identifying information, recorded on the reverse of photographs or on developers' envelopes, providing a detailed narrative of Phase II library construction. Images in the Renovation series were probably taken by GTU Library employee Kevin Koczela. These were stored in developers' envelopes with identifying notes written by archivist Lucinda Glenn. Other creators and collectors for the collection are unknown.
Some photograph prints in the collection have negatives, which are indicated in parenthesis as NB. Photographs in the Renovation series include the most complete set of negatives. Negatives and slides for which corresponding photographs have not been found have been arranged into the Negatives and Slides series. All negatives are stored in GTU negatives box 7, located at 1/A/3. Slides are stored in GTU slides box 4/B, located at 1/A/3. Images documenting past or future library construction or renovation projects may be added to the collection and inter-filed as received.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Graduate Theological Union. Library - Photographs
Graduate Theological Union. Library - Employees - Photographs
Theological libraries - Design and construction - Photographs
Theological libraries - California - Berkeley - Photographs

Index Terms Related to this Collection

Else, James P., 1921-2009.

Related Material

See related collections:
GTU 89-10-1: Office of the President and Dean. Claude Welch, 1971-1982.
GTU 92-6-1: Office of the President. Library Construction, Phase II, 1985-88.
GTU 94-9-3: GTU Library. Library Images. Photographs, Library Staff and GTU Administrative Staff, ca. 1968-
GTU 96-5-1: Office of the President. Graduate Theological Union Common Library Architectural Plans: Phase I, 1975-81, and Phase II, 1981-87.
GTU 97-9-1: Office of Institutional Advancement. GTU Photograph Collection, 1965-

 

Series 1:  Phase I, 1979-1981

Physical Description: 7 file folders
Box/folder: 1 : 1

Groundbreaking ceremony, 1979 June 25

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of Claude Welch and Cynthia Hunter.
Box/folder: 1 : 2

Color photographs, 1979 July-August

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of construction site and rebar installation.
Box/folder: 1 : 3

Color photographs, 1979 September-December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of basement formwork.
Box/folder: 1 : 4

Color photographs, Part 1, 1979-circa 1980

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of forming and pouring basement and level 1.
Box/folder: 1 : 5

Color photographs, Part 2, 1979-circa 1980

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of level 1 construction; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 6

Black and white photographs, Part 1, 1979-1981

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of construction site; basement and level 1 construction; and half-completed library building.
Box/folder: 1 : 7

Black and white photographs, Part 2, 1979-1981

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of construction site; rebar installation; and southern exterior view.
 

Series 2:  Phase II, 1985-1987

Physical Description: 44 file folders
Box/folder: 1 : 8

Photographs, 1985 May-June

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of library building at completion of Phase I construction.
Box/folder: 1 : 9

Photographs, 1985 August

Box/folder: 1 : 10

Photographs, 1985 October

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 2nd level formwork and steel; and GTU staff members Norm Smith, John Baker-Batsel, and Oscar Burdick.
Box/folder: 1 : 11

Photographs, Part 1, 1985 November

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 2nd level; and mechanical room concrete pour.
Box/folder: 1 : 12

Photographs, Part 2, 1985 November

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 2nd level concrete pour.
Box/folder: 1 : 13

Photographs, 1985 fall

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 3rd level formwork.
Box/folder: 1 : 14

Photographs, Part 1, 1985 December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of terrace formwork; 3rd level concrete pour; and cranes.
Box/folder: 1 : 15

Photographs, Part 2, 1985 December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of air conditioning cylinder installation.
Box/folder: 1 : 16

Undated photographs, Part 1, 1985

Scope and Content Note

8 x 10” black and white photos of “Raising the Roof” proceedings; John Baker-Batsel; and GTU library staff.
Box/folder: 1 : 17

Undated photographs, Part 2, 1985

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 2nd level formwork and steel; “Raising the roof” proceedings; John Baker-Batsel; and GTU library staff.
Box/folder: 1 : 18

Photographs, 1986 January

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of air conditioning cylinders; and roof formwork.
Box/folder: 1 : 19

Photographs, 1986 February

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roof formwork and concrete pour; and oculus form.
Box/folder: 1 : 20

Photographs, Part 1, 1986 March

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roof formwork; oculus forming and pouring; and interior and exterior views of the library.
Box/folder: 1 : 21

Photographs, Part 2, 1986 March

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roof formwork; oculus forming and pouring; atrium; and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 22

Photographs, 1986 April

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of clerestory roof construction; oculus roof construction; and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 23

Photographs, Part 1, 1986 May

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roofing; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 24

Photographs, Part 2 (NB 7, ff 21), 1986 May

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roofing; oculus; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 25

Photographs, 1986 June 2-9

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of roof removal; and lumber delivery.
Box/folder: 1 : 26

Photographs, 1986 June 12-26

Scope and Content Note

Includes interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 27

Photographs, 1986 July 1-17

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of forming and pouring stairs; finishing roofing; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 28

Photographs, 1986 July 21-28

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of stair form removal; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 29

Photographs, 1986 August 1-7

Scope and Content Note

See NB 7, ff 22, for August 7 negatives. Includes photos of pouring south stairs; library offices; planter installation; and interior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 30

Photographs, 1986 August 11

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of stairwell; planters; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 31

Photographs, 1986 August 13-19

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of stairwell installation.
Box/folder: 1 : 32

Photographs, 1986 August or September

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of atrium; clerestory; and tiling on terrace.
Box/folder: 1 : 33

Photographs, 1986 September

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of terrace and stairwell tiling; wall finishing; bathroom; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 34

Photographs, 1986 October

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of stairwell and terrace tiling; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 35

Photographs, 1986 November 6-10

Scope and Content Note

See NB 7, ff 23, for November 10 negatives. Includes photos of atrium; and interior and exterior views of library.
Box/folder: 1 : 36

Photographs, 1986 November 13-15

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of carpet laying; and library offices.
Box/folder: 1 : 37

Photographs, 1986 November 17-26

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of library offices; and interior views.
Box/folder: 1 : 38

Photographs, Part 1, 1986 December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of 1st floor shelving installation; entrance patio preparation; and terraces.
Box/folder: 1 : 39

Photographs, Part 2, 1986 December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of reference area; library offices; kitchen; and patio preparation.
Box/folder: 1 : 40

Photographs, Part 3, 1986 December

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of filling planters; staff lounge; technical services; reference area move; John Baker-Batsel; and Mary Williams.
Box/folder: 1 : 41

Photographs, Part 1, 1987 January

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of troweling and pouring patio; staff lounge and kitchen; and Tom Caulfield.
Box/folder: 1 : 42

Photographs, Part 2, 1987 January

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of light well; patio; and 2nd level areas and offices.
Box/folder: 1 : 43

Photographs, Part 1, 1987 February

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of patio pour; display case installation; 1st floor art wall; and 1st floor cubicles.
Box/folder: 1 : 44

Photographs, Part 2 (NB 7, ff 24), 1987 February

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of sun shades; and party for Ken Gabriel.
Box/folder: 1 : 45

Photographs, 1987 March

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of terrace bench installation.
Box/folder: 1 : 46

Photographs, 1987 March or April

Box/folder: 1 : 47

Photographs, 1987 May

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of replacing fallen oak piece.
Box/folder: 1 : 48

Photographs (NB 7, ff 25), 1987 October

Scope and Content Note

Includes interior views of 3rd level; clerestory; and oculus.
Box/folder: 1 : 49

Undated photographs, circa 1985-1987

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of stairwell tiling; Mary Williams; and library work areas during construction.
Box/folder: 1 : 50

Undated photographs, circa 1986-1987

Scope and Content Note

8 x 10” black and white photographs showing GTU library exterior during different stages of construction.
Box/folder: 1 : 51

Undated photographs (NB 7, ff 27), circa 1987

Scope and Content Note

Includes interior and exterior views of the completed library.
 

Series 3:  Renovation, 2000-2001

Physical Description: 9 file folders
Box/folder: 1 : 52

Level 1 (NB 7, ff 28), 2000 June

Scope and Content Note

Photos of packing in preparation for level 1 renovation.
Box/folder: 1 : 53

Level 1 (NB 7, ff 29), 2000 July

Scope and Content Note

Photos of laying wood subfloor and carpeting; and installation of tracks and carriages for compact shelving.
Box/folder: 1 : 54

Level 1 (NB 7, ff 30), circa 2000 July

Scope and Content Note

Photos of compact shelving installation; completed level 1 renovation; and Bonnie Hardwick.
Box/folder: 1 : 55

Level 2, 2000 September

Scope and Content Note

Photos of installing computer work stations, boomerangs in new teaching lab, and oak counters on reference stacks.
Box/folder: 1 : 56

Level 2 (NB 7, ff 31), 2001 February

Scope and Content Note

Photos of new server room construction in storage room.
Box/folder: 1 : 57

Level 2 (NB 7, ff 32), 2001 March

Scope and Content Note

Photos of new telephone system and computer network installation; and GTU reference staff, Ann Hotta, Rosemary Northcraft, Cheryl Miller, and Kris Veldheer.
Box/folder: 1 : 58

Level 2 (NB 7, ff 33), circa 2001 March

Scope and Content Note

Photos of security gate installation.
Box/folder: 1 : 59

Level 2, 2001 July

Scope and Content Note

Photos of new teaching lab and internet work stations.
Box/folder: 1 : 60

Level 2, 2001 August

Scope and Content Note

Photos of setting up new technology lab; completed computer and basement storage rooms; Danny Wilson; and Kris Veldheer.
 

Series 4:  Photograph Albums, 1979-1981; 1985-1986

Physical Description: 3 albums
Box/album: 2 : 1

Phase I, 1979-circa 1980

Scope and Content Note

Color photographs of Phase I construction in chronological order.
Box/album: 2 : 2

Phase I, circa 1981

Scope and Content Note

Color photographs of move into half-completed library building and dedication ceremony. Polaroid photographs of GTU library staff.
Box/album: 3 : 3

Phase II, 1985-1986

Scope and Content Note

Color photographs of Phase II construction in chronological order. Sleeves have been removed from original album.
 

Series 5:  Negatives, circa 1979-1981; 1985-1987

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Scope and Content Note

Corresponding photographs for these negatives have not been identified.
Negatives box/folder: 7 : 19

Phase I, circa 1979-1981

Scope and Content Note

Unidentified negatives.
Negatives box/folder: 7 : 20

Phase II, 1986 April 18 and 25

Scope and Content Note

Images of clerestory and oculus construction; views from 3rd level and roof; and exterior views of library building.
Negatives box/folder: 7 : 26

Phase II, circa 1985-1987

Scope and Content Note

Exterior views of library during different stages of Phase II construction.
 

Series 6:  Slides, 1985; 2004

Physical Description: 6 slides

Scope and Content Note

Corresponding photographs for these slides have not been identified.
Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3840

GTU Reference Librarian Gilles Poitres, 1985

Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3841

GTU Reference Librarian Gilles Poitres, 1985

Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3842

GTU Reference Librarian Gilles Poitres, 1985

Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3843

GTU Reference Librarian Gilles Poitres, 1985

Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3844

Scaffolding in library atrium during lighting renovation, 2004

Slides box/slide: 4/B : 3845

Scaffolding in library atrium during lighting renovation, 2004