Divinity Library

Historical Overview

Yale Divinity Library traces its origins to the construction of the Sterling Divinity Quadrangle in 1932. At that time, three collections were moved from the old Divinity Quadrangle to the School’s new location at 409 Prospect Street: the Trowbridge Reference Library, the Sneath Library of Religious Education, and the Day Missions Library.

These three collections were each created for a special purpose; the Divinity School’s basic library services were provided by the Sterling Memorial Library. Nevertheless, each of these collections reflects a tradition of library service that continues today.

The Trowbridge Reference Library

The Trowbridge Reference Library was established in 1881 as a non-circulating reference collection, as a memorial to Henry Stuart Trowbridge. Before its move to the Sterling Divinity Quadrangle, the collection was always quite small. At the time of the move it numbered 8,518 volumes. This collection formed the basis on which the Divinity Library’s core collection was built, including:

• A comprehensive reference collection for the study of religion
• The core texts of theology, both in the original languages and in translation
• An extensive collection of secondary literature

The Divinity Library’s core reference collection is now housed in the Trowbridge Reference Room, continuing the tradition of the Trowbridge Reference Library.

The Sneath Memorial Library of Religious Education

The Sneath Memorial Library of Religious Education was established in 1919 as a memorial for Richard Sheldon Sneath. In 1932 the collection included 4,428 volumes. From this collection grew Yale Divinity Library’s collections supporting the practice of ministry.

The Day Missions Library

The Day Missions Library was established in 1891 by George Edward Day, a professor of Hebrew language and literature, and his wife, Olivia Hotchkiss Day. In 1932 the collection included 21,484 volumes – some two thirds of the Divinity Library’s original collection. This collection has continued to grow over the years, with support from the Day endowment and, since 1981, with income from a fund established by Kenneth Scott Latourette, a professor of missions.

The Day Missions Collection today makes up approximately one third of the Divinity Library’s 550,000 volumes, and constitutes the bulk of its manuscript and archival collection. Its scope has enlarged from a fairly narrow focus on training missionaries to become one of the preeminent collections documenting the thought, history, and practice of world Christianity. The Divinity Library’s core collection documenting missions’ history and world Christianity is housed in the Day Missions Reading Room. Access to manuscripts and archival material, as well as other material labeled “Restricted Circulation,” is through the Special Collections Reading Room.

Access and Borrowing Privileges

Online Databases Available to Alumni

Other Resources

• Divinity School Alumni Relations Office
• Yale Alumni Association