Mission Statement

Bridwell Library is Southern Methodist University's principal bibliographic resource for the fields of theology and religious studies. Its mission is to acquire, organize, preserve, make accessible and interpret materials in these and related fields. The interpretation of its collections is accomplished variously through bibliographic instruction, reference services, lectures, publications, and exhibitions.

The library's primary responsibility is to support the curricular and research needs of faculty and students in the Perkins School of Theology. It serves as an important resource for faculty and students in the University's other religious studies programs and cognate fields.

To the extent consistent with its responsibilities to faculty and students of Southern Methodist University, the Library provides bibliographic services to the University's graduates, to religious leadership in the Dallas area, to citizens of Texas and the Southwest and to other academic institutions and scholars.