About the Library

Library Motto: John 8:32

The Tokyo Christian University Library was established in 1990 together with the founding of Tokyo Christian University through the consolidation of three libraries: the Tokyo Christian College Library, the Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary Library, and the Kyoritsu Christian Institute Library. It serves as a shared library of Tokyo Christian Institute.

Mission of the Library

In accordance with the founding principles of the University, the Library, as the library of a university specializing in theology, primarily collects and holds materials related to Christianity and religious studies. In addition to providing services to students, faculty, and staff on campus, the Library seeks to serve as an intellectual resource for the evangelical Christian community and as a center for receiving and disseminating scholarly information.

History and Origins

  • Kyoritsu Christian Institute Library (Kaisei Women's School for Evangelism, founded in 1881 → Kyoritsu Women's Theological Seminary, 1907 → Kyoritsu Women's Bible Institute → Kyoritsu Christian Institute, 1980–present)
  • Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary Library (Seminary founded in 1949–1990)
  • Tokyo Christian College Library (Japan Alliance Bible Institute, founded in 1950 → Japan Christian College, 1955 → Tokyo Christian College, 1966 → Tokyo Christian College, until 1990)
  • 1990: The three libraries were consolidated to form the Tokyo Christian University Library.

Library Overview

  • Library Director: Professor Mieko Iwata (appointed April 2025)
  • Books: Approximately 100,000 volumes
  • Periodicals: Approximately 1,000 titles
  • Staff: Full-time staff (concurrent appointment), part-time staff, and student assistants

Organization and Finance

Library Committee: 3 members
Membership and participation: Japan Association of Private University Libraries, Japan Library Association, Chiba Association of University Libraries, and Theological Seminary Library Forum

Building and Facilities

  • Completed in 1989; two-story reinforced-concrete building
  • Collection capacity: 100,000 volumes
  • Reading seats: 58
  • Group study room: 1
  • Carrel room: 1
  • Rare Books Room: 1
  • University Archives Room: 1
  • Video players: 3
  • CD/cassette player: 1
  • OPAC computers: 2
  • Public-use computers (Windows and Mac): 4

Major Collections

  • Reformation-Era Materials
    • John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (final edition), published in 1568
  • Christian Materials from the Meiji Period
    • Anti-Christian publications, including Yasokyo no Mudori and Shinsen Shaku Yaso
    • Evangelistic publications, including Tendo Sogen and Makoto no Michi wo Shiru Chikamichi
    • Bibles, including the Hepburn-Brown translation, the Bridgman-Culbertson Chinese translation, and the translation by the Committee of Translators
  • Biblical Materials
    • Dead Sea Scrolls (replica)
    • Gutenberg Bible (replica)

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