The Berryman Special Collection is available for research and educational use.
A digital catalog is available to assist users in identifying materials in the collection. Users are encouraged to search the digital catalog before visiting the collection and to identify the titles they wish to consult. You can search the digital catalog here: Special Collection Catalogue.
Because the collection is housed within the offices of Lifelong Learning rather than a circulating library, materials do not circulate and may not be removed from the collection without written permission from the Godly Play Foundation and VTS.
Access to the physical collection should be arranged in advance with Lifelong Learning staff. Contact them at 703-461-1885 or email them at lifelonglearning@vts.edu
1. Who May Use the Collection
The collection is intended primarily for:
- Scholars and researchers
- Faculty and students of Virginia Theological Seminary
- Clergy and formation leaders
- Godly Play practitioners and trainers
- Educators and students studying childhood, theology, or Christian formation
- Researchers in children’s spirituality and related fields
- Other individuals whose research or professional work would benefit from the collection
Access is not limited to members of Virginia Theological Seminary. Researchers from outside the Seminary may request access subject to scheduling and staff availability. Call 703-461-1885 or email them at lifelonglearning@vts.edu
2. Use of Materials
The Berryman Special Collection is a non-circulating research collection. Materials should be handled with care because many are part of a unique personal library and cannot readily be replaced.
Users are asked to:
- Handle books with clean hands and care.
- Do not write, highlight, underline, or otherwise mark collection materials.
- Avoid placing food or beverages near the collection. All beverages must have a lid. Please do not eat near the materials.
- Do not fold pages, use paper clips, or place objects between pages.
- Notify Lifelong Learning staff immediately if a book or any other material appears damaged.
- Return materials to the designated location when finished, unless staff has asked that materials remain out for research.
Users should not attempt to repair, clean, label, or otherwise alter materials.
3. Reproduction and Photography
Researchers may photograph or otherwise reproduce portions of collection materials for personal research, study, scholarship, or teaching, provided that the condition of the material is not endangered.
When photographing materials:
- Handle books carefully and support bindings appropriately.
- Do not use flash when it could damage a fragile item.
- Do not place books face-down or force bindings flat.
- Follow any additional instructions provided by Lifelong Learning staff.
Permission to reproduce material does not necessarily constitute permission to publish it. All archive materials cannot be published without the explicit written permission of the Godly Play Foundation. All materials are subject to Godly Play copyright.
Researchers are responsible for determining whether additional copyright, privacy, or other permissions are required before publishing, distributing, or publicly displaying reproduced material.
4. Citation and Acknowledgment
Researchers using materials from the Berryman Special Collection are encouraged to acknowledge the collection in publications, presentations, dissertations, articles, websites, and other scholarly work.
A suggested citation is:
Berryman Special Collection, Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary, Addison Academic Center.
Researchers should include the title, author, and other appropriate bibliographic information for individual works whenever possible.
5. Use in Scholarship and Publication
The Berryman Special Collection is intended to support scholarship and the ongoing study of childhood, children’s spirituality, Christian formation, Godly Play, and related fields.
Researchers are welcome to use materials from the collection as sources in scholarly work. However, use of materials from the collection should not be interpreted as endorsement by Lifelong Learning or Virginia Theological Seminary of the conclusions, interpretations, or theological positions expressed in those materials.
Particular care should be taken when citing materials as evidence of Jerome Berryman’s own thinking. The presence of a book in Berryman’s personal library does not, by itself, establish that Berryman endorsed every position expressed by its author. Researchers should distinguish between materials authored by Berryman, materials that can be documented as influential on his work, and materials that were simply part of his personal library.
6. Special and Fragile Materials
Some materials may require special handling or additional restrictions because of their age, condition, rarity, annotations, inscriptions, or other characteristics.
Lifelong Learning staff may:
- Restrict access to particularly fragile materials.
- Require that materials be consulted under staff supervision.
- Provide digital or photographic copies when appropriate.
- Restrict reproduction of materials when necessary for preservation.
- Temporarily remove materials from use while conservation or cataloging work is underway.
7. Personal Annotations and Marginalia
Because the collection originated in Jerome Berryman’s personal library, some books may contain inscriptions, notes, underlining, marginalia, bookmarks, or other evidence of personal use.
Such features may have significant research value and should be treated as part of the historical character of the collection.
Users should not remove, alter, erase, or otherwise disturb personal annotations or materials found within a book.
8. Responsibility of Researchers
Researchers using the Berryman Special Collection are responsible for respecting the materials and the purpose of the collection.
Access may be suspended or restricted if a researcher:
- Removes materials without permission.
- Damages or deliberately mishandles materials.
- Alters or marks collection materials.
- Fails to follow staff instructions regarding the use of the collection.
- Engages in behavior that places the collection or other researchers at risk.
9. Requests for Access
Researchers wishing to use the collection should contact Lifelong Learning in advance to request access.
When making a request, researchers should provide:
- Name and contact information
- Institutional affiliation, if applicable
- General area or purpose of research
- Titles or subjects they wish to consult, if known
- Preferred date and approximate length of visit
Lifelong Learning staff will work with researchers to arrange an appropriate time and location for consultation.
10. Stewardship of the Collection
The Berryman Special Collection is a significant resource for the ongoing study of children’s spirituality, theology of childhood, Christian formation, and the work of Jerome W. Berryman.
Lifelong Learning is committed to preserving the collection while making it accessible for research and education. Policies governing access and use may be revised as cataloging, preservation, and research needs develop.
Collection: Berryman Special Collection
Location: Lifelong Learning, Addison Academic Center, Virginia Theological Seminary
Holdings: 803 volumes
Status: Non-circulating research collection
Catalog: Digital catalog available for searching the collection