Anne Harrison Integrates Ministry and Library Backgrounds as New Theological Librarian

As a seminary graduate working in a library, Anne Harrison wondered if she’d ever be able to truly integrate her two callings: libraries and ministry.

Earlier this year she found an ideal opportunity when she was appointed as theological librarian at Hekman Library, serving Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.

“To be able to combine theology and librarianship, the two things I’m passionate about, is a rare opportunity,” Harrison says. “It’s a combination that fits together really beautifully.”

After growing up in West Michigan, Harrison attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, earning a degree in history. A summer internship as an archivist at the Center of the West (a five-museum complex in Cody, Wyoming) deepened her love of libraries and learning. She worked in the library at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan while earning her Master of Divinity degree.

After seminary, Harrison worked for five years at Herrick District Library in Holland, Michigan specializing in genealogy and local history, while earning a master’s degree in library and information science online from Wayne State University, before coming to Calvin.

Though her degrees and areas of experience came in two distinct fields, Harrison says what connects them is the importance of forming relationships with people and showing the love of Christ. As a seminary student, Harrison was initially interested in chaplaincy, and being present for others in the midst of suffering.

At Herrick, Harrison said the library brought a diverse local community together and

allowed her to serve people from a variety of backgrounds.

“To be able to combine theology and librarianship, the two things I’m passionate about, is a rare opportunity,” Harrison says. “It’s a combination that fits together really beautifully.”

After growing up in West Michigan, Harrison attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, earning a degree in history. A summer internship as an archivist at the Center of the West (a five-museum complex in Cody, Wyoming) deepened her love of libraries and learning. She worked in the library at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan while earning her Master of Divinity degree.

After seminary, Harrison worked for five years at Herrick District Library in Holland, Michigan specializing in genealogy and local history, while earning a master’s degree in library and information science online from Wayne State University, before coming to Calvin.

Though her degrees and areas of experience came in two distinct fields, Harrison says what connects them is the importance of forming relationships with people and showing the love of Christ. As a seminary student, Harrison was initially interested in chaplaincy, and being present for others in the midst of suffering.

At Herrick, Harrison said the library brought a diverse local community together and “As I look back, the common theme for me has been people,” she says. “It goes back to my faith, loving my neighbor as Christ calls us. It drives everything I do.”

As unexpected as becoming a theological librarian was for Harrison, the circumstances surrounding her start were even more of a shock. In March, just five days into her new job, Calvin University and Calvin Seminary shifted to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not reopen the rest of the semester. Harrison began working from home and receiving video training sessions from colleagues as the library was suddenly serving students entirely remotely.

“It’s harder when we’re all separated from each other,” Harrison says. “But we have an incredible staff, and everybody’s been reaching out to me to check in and talk things through. It’s been a huge blessing for me.”

In her free time, Harrison enjoys spending time with her horse Savannah. With her lifelong love of horses, she notes, “Horseback riding is really life-giving for me. It’s not easy to go through a global trauma and not have that outlet, but I’m grateful she’s being taken care of.”

We welcome Anne Harrison to Calvin Seminary!

By Nathan Bierma