The Charles L. Souvay Memorial Library Collections

The Charles L. Souvay, C.M., Memorial Library at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary serves the Church by preserving its textual tradition both in print and in electronic form, for the current educational needs of faculty and students, and for the future. The library operates in accordance with a collection development policy most recently approved by the faculty in April 1998. The collection itself consists of some 75,000 items, including books and non-book materials, principally in theology, with considerable concentrations in canon law, philosophy, history, biography and the arts. The library subscribes to over 300 periodicals and newspapers.

Special Collections, comprised of over 3000 titles, embrace a number of individual collections. Largest of these is the Rare Books Collection, including a 1495 Bible; a thirteenth century French manuscript; most of the works of the Archbishops Peter Richard Kenrick of St. Louis, and his brother, Francis Patrick Kenrick, of Philadelphia; a number of Archdiocesan yearbook publications from diocesan synods before 1930, and a collection of catechisms dated in the years prior to the Second Vatican Council. The Code Collection possesses especially important volumes of Catholic Americana. The Merton Collection consists of all the published works, books, periodical literature, and audio tapes of Thomas Merton. The Cuneiform Collection consists of 92 clay tablets of fragments catalogued by the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Literature, Yale University. The Hellriegel Collection includes books and memorabilia gathered by the St. Louis priest and liturgical-movement pioneer. In addition to all of these other collections, the Kenrick-Glennon Seminary Archives are also located in the Special Collections area.

While the library’s collections are largely devoted to print materials, there is also a substantial number of audio- and videotape materials as well as a CD-ROM collection which offers a variety of databases. Most recently, the library added to its collections the Anselmo Collection of music on some 1500 compact discs.

In June 1998, Souvay Library became a charter member of MOBIUS (Missouri Bibliographic Information Users Service). As a result of its membership, the library is linked with other academic libraries throughout Missouri via Innovative Interface’s Millennium/INN-Reach System.

Contribution to Teaching, Learning, and Research

Currently, the Souvay Library provides an introductory program in reference services, information technology, and bibliography and research methods as part of the course, Introduction to Theological Studies. All first-year theology students are required to have this library orientation. In addition, the library’s patron-initiated request on-line inter-library loan system and courier service help assure patrons of success in their research efforts.

Partnership in Curriculum Development

Faculty regularly consult with library staff to ensure that the library supports the current curriculum and research needs of the degree programs. The Library Committee is a standing committee of the faculty designed to channel this support.

The Director of the Library, a full-time member of the faculty, attends all faculty meetings and in that forum participates in long-range curriculum planning.

Resources

The professional staff of the Souvay Library consists of the Director of the Library, who is a voting member of the faculty, and two Assistant Librarians. Additional staffing is provided by students in a work-study program, and by a number of library volunteers.

The Souvay Library facility is located within the physical plant of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, occupying 11,000 square feet of space on three levels in the southeast wing of the building.