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.

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.

1.4 linear feet (3 boxes)

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.

Collection is open for research.