by Tony van der Hiele

Navigating the challenges and opportunities of guiding a seminary library into the digital age is no small task, but Kathy Seidler mastered the job. Holding a Master of Librarian Information Studies, as well as a Master of Divinity degree from CBT, she has the perfect background for the role of librarian. For over thirty years, she has faithfully served the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary and College as the Director of the Keith C. Wills Library. She retires June 30th.

“The first and most obvious observation about Kathy’s tenure at CBT is its longevity. With a career that spans 34 years, Kathy began working in the library in 1990 with card catalogues. In that same year the first web server was created, which became the foundation for the World Wide Web! Who knew what changes were coming?!” says CBT’s Academic Dean, Dr. Steve Booth. Kathy witnessed firsthand how the library has grown and adjusted over the years, and as director, she has directed these significant changes. She has seen the library renovated several times; it has doubled in size since she first started, and she has supervised the transition from a card catalogue system to a fully automated library. Kathy recalls working together with the many volunteers who helped label the entire library collection with barcodes to make the transition. “We did that for weeks and weeks! I have fond memories of that. It was exciting, fun and a lot of work, but it was so worth it.”

As the digital age continually morphed, Kathy adjusted along the way. “Technology changes the functionality of the library,” she points out. For example, sermons, once provided on cassette tapes, then on VHS, and subsequently on CD or DVD, are now fully available online and with more options than ever. Just last year, Kathy pursued a digital resource called Perlego. This subscription grants the library unrestricted access to over a million titles from principal academic and professional publishers. She sees the benefits to faculty and students: “It has become an invaluable part of the library already. It helps our students because they don’t have to pay to access textbooks.” The dean commends her: “Kathy has helped our school navigate these enormous sea changes across three decades. Our library collection, which is such a valuable asset of our school, she has curated with skill and care. And we are forever grateful.” Kathy’s final addition to the library, which she hopes will be done this summer, will be a display table and cabinet to exhibit the Bible artifacts collection which the library recently acquired through an anonymous donor.

“Some of the most meaningful times for me are graduation weekends. Hearing the stories of how God worked in the lives of students while they were here [at CBT] is always a blessing.” Co-workers and students alike know how fond Kathy is of music and worship. She plays the piano and sings. One of the things that brings her joy is singing at graduation commencement services. She leads the worship and always addresses the graduates with one special song. The song she sang for this year’s graduates was titled “My Tribute” and the lyrics not only seemed opportune for those about to receive their credentials but, as President Rob Blackaby fittingly observed, ”served as an anthem for Kathy’s career as well.”

The seminary library is an indispensable part of the institution. It supports the curriculum and provides material and resources for study and research. Both students and faculty make use of the Keith C. Will Library and CBT encourages pastors, laypersons and community users to utilize its rich content. Over 36,000 volumes are catalogued, and more are available through the consortium of Southern Alberta Libraries of Theology (SALT). Kathy helped establish this consortium. “That was beneficial for our relatively small school, as students and faculty can consult a larger amount of resources available to them.” As the Library Director, Kathy always kept an eye out for new books published through leading evangelical publishers and worked with the faculty to keep the collection up to date. Changes in curricula added to the collection as well. When CBT started offering college tracks, the library had to shift and add non-theological textbooks and resources to accommodate some of the basic courses required for college programs.

When asked what she will miss most when she retires, Kathy doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely the people. I’ll miss the people. The excitement of new students as they come in each semester. And I will miss talking to students and hearing what God is doing in their lives. I hope I’ve helped alleviate some of the stress in their life by just lending a listening ear or helping them find sources.” Kathy has worked under all of CBT’s presidents and with every core faculty member the school has had. She has worked with great assistants, and over fifty student workers have helped her out in the library, along with countless volunteers. As Kathy reflects on the people, she says, “I’ve had wonderful experiences here and made some lifelong friendships!” Elaine Phillips, adjunct instructor at CBT, knew Kathy as a classmate when they studied in the M.Div. program and later as a valuable co-worker. “We graduated together in 2003. She became my go-to resource when I began teaching as a college adjunct in 2004. I am still here, teaching outside my technological comfort zone because of her help, sense of humour, encouragement, and resourceful support. Kathy Seidler is more than my fellow alum, pilgrim and colleague. She is a sweet sister in Christ and a cherished family friend. I will be forever grateful to this library lady for all she’s done for our school community and for me.”

These words of gratefulness resonate with many who have spent time with Kathy. As she ventures into a new season of life, which will be filled with her children and four grandchildren who are scattered over three different countries, our school won’t lose her connection entirely. Kathy’s husband Herb continues to serve as an indispensable part of CBT’s Facilities Team.

Dr. Blackaby praises her work and legacy. “Kathy has a sweeping memory of our school from almost its inception. She was instrumental in the earliest days of building our library, and then in leading its transition into a digital age. Her contributions to our school are of profound importance. I appreciate her determination to resource students, faculty, and community alike. We are all the richer for her investment in us.”

CBT wishes her all the best and God’s abundant blessing on her retirement!