Library
Handbook for Patron Use
John Bulow Campbell Library
Columbia Theological Seminary
Approved
October 25, 1999
Revised April 29, 2008
The
John Bulow Campbell Library (hereafter, the Library or JBCL) serves a vital
educational role at Columbia Theological Seminary. The Library provides resources for student
and faculty research, supports the curriculum, and encourages the exploration
of theological topics beyond the classroom.
The
Library is named for John Bulow Campbell, an Atlanta businessman and member of
Columbia’s Board of Trustees during the 1930s.
Campbell's portrait is hanging in the lobby of the Library, and biographical
information about him is available at the reference desk.
The
Library provides various services designed to support and enhance teaching,
learning and research, including: reference, circulation, reserves, interlibrary
loan, and interlibrary use.
If
you have questions about these and other services, ask the librarian on duty at
the reference desk (404-687-4620 or Ref-desk@CTSnet.edu).
The
mission of the Library is to serve as a learning resource center for Columbia
Theological Seminary in ways consistent with the Seminary's mission statement.
The Library, therefore, operates in the context of “an educational institution
of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and a community of theological inquiry and
formation for ministry in the service of the Church of Jesus Christ.” Through
its policies and procedures, the Library helps fulfill the Seminary's mission
“to provide theological resources for the denomination, for the ecumenical
church, and for persons with a variety of theological concerns,” and “to be
faithful to the gospel, and to become a living expression of the Body of Christ
in the world.”
The
particular mission of the Library is:
1) to
enable all library users to locate and use information in various formats,
2) to
collect and provide information relevant to the curriculum, as well as to the
traditions of the church and the Seminary,
3) to serve
as a gateway to both in-house and external sources of information, and
4) to
promote intellectual discovery for members of the Seminary community.
Contents
History of the John Bulow Campbell Library
History of the collection to 1953
“Before the Seminary’s opening, committees from the Board began collecting
books for the library. Each presbytery appointed such a committee in 1829, and
about three hundred volumes were collected….By 1850 there were 4,582 volumes.
The library was housed on the third floor [of Ansley
Hall or Ainslie Hall].” (LaMotte, 54) “The library consisted of 5,296 volumes
in 1854; the Smyth Library was purchased in 1856, adding 11,520 volumes. In
1863 there were 17,778 volumes.” (LaMotte, 116) By the early 20th century, the
collection also included “the personal libraries of Rev. John Douglas, Dr.
George Howe, Dr. S. Beach Jones, Dr. S. M. Smith, and Dr. J. W. Flinn.” (LaMotte, 192) “The library, of some 32,000 volumes
in 1926, many of which are rare books, was transported to Decatur and housed in
the Campbell Hall. The library of Dr. R. C. Reed, some 2,000 books, was
presented by the family of the deceased. Dr. Thornton Whaling gave his library
of about the same size…In the fall of 1936 the library was being fully
catalogued, and an expert librarian assumed charge.” (LaMotte, 231) By the time
a separate building was constructed for the library in 1953, the collection
numbered approximately 40,000 volumes. (Richards, 81)
LONG
HOURS (While classes are in session)
Monday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
SHORT
HOURS (While classes are NOT in session)
Monday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday closed
Sunday closed
Variations
to these hours will be posted by the main entrance to the Library and in This Week.
Contents
Directions to the Library
Follow
directions to the Seminary: http://www.ctsnet.edu/visit/index.asp#directionsToCampus
Turn
onto Inman Drive (the first street north of the campus) and proceed to the
first paved drive on the left. Go up the
rise and bear to the right to find free parking. The Library is the building nearest to Inman
Drive opposite the parking lot. The
front entrance is reached by the walkway and stairs to the right of the
building.
For
handicap access:
1)
From the Library parking lot, the
sidewalk that leads to the stairs also veers to the left and leads to the staff
door on the ground level (1W). An intercom by the door is connected to the
circulation desk, which has a door release button.
2)
From the quadrangle, a ramp leads to
the main entrance.
The
Library’s main telephone numbers are:
404-687-4610 Circulation Desk
404-687-4620 Reference Desk
404-687-4635 Media Services
Telephone
numbers for specific staff
and services
are listed at the end of this handbook.
All Library telephones have voice mail.
If the telephone is not answered, patrons should leave a message,
including their name, telephone number and request or query. Please
note that it is not possible to renew materials by voice mail at this
time.
The Library’s fax machine is for Library business only. The fax number is 404-687-4687.
For email correspondence, contact: circ-desk@ctsnet.edu
for the Circulation Desk or ref-desk@ctsnet.edu
for the Reference Desk.
Contents
Catalog
CALVIN, the Library’s on-line catalog, is available as a web-based, computer
catalog. The catalog provides
bibliographic information about the majority of the holdings of the
Library. The URL is web2.ctsnet.edu.
Contents
Reference
The Library maintains a central reference desk, located on 2West near the
circulation desk, which is staffed by a professional librarian or a reference
supervisor. The primary responsibility
of the librarians and reference supervisors is to be available to students,
faculty, staff, and other patrons to respond to requests for information and to
provide research assistance. Reference service includes queries received via
email and telephone, as well as requests for database and e-journal passwords.
Since the library operates in the context of an academic environment, the
reference staff does not simply answer questions. Rather they work to enable and empower patrons
to locate and utilize resources which match the patrons’ particular needs. They also assist patrons in learning how to
use library resources. In the reference
area, including the computer workstations and reading tables, quiet
conversation is often necessary during consultations, unlike other areas of the
Library building.
Reference desk telephone: 404-687-4620
Reference desk e-mail: Ref-Desk@CTSnet.edu
Staff person responsible for reference: Richard Blake
Contents
Circulation
The circulation desk is located to the left as one
enters the Library. Patrons who wish to
check-out materials must present a valid library card. Entering students receive
library cards after completion of a library orientation session. The cards are issued at the circulation
desk. Other patrons who wish to apply
for library cards are governed by the policy, “Who May Use the John Bulow
Campbell Library.” There is a $1.00
replacement fee for lost cards.
Circulating books are due four weeks after the date of check-out. If the due date falls on a day the Library is
closed, the next open date is used. At
check-out, the date due slip in the back of the book is stamped with the
appropriate due date. Circulating books
may be renewed up to two times, unless they have been requested by another
user. Books may be renewed by telephone
when the Library is open. Books may not be renewed via voice mail. Overdue fines for books are 25 cents per day
per book. For lost books, patrons are
charged the actual replacement cost, plus a $20.00 processing fee.
Audiocassettes, videocassettes, and other circulating non-print items may be
checked out for 7 days. Videocassettes
may not be renewed; all other non-print items may be renewed up to two times. Overdue fines are $1.00 per day for videos,
and 25 cents per day for all other non-print items. The fee for a lost item is the actual
replacement cost, plus a $20.00 processing fee.
Periodicals, reference items, and special collections materials may not be
checked out of the library building.
Items that are checked out that are needed for course reserves will be recalled
immediately. Any circulating item may be
recalled for the use of another patron four weeks after the initial check-out
date. Overdue recalls will be charged a fine of $1.00 per day. Patrons may request that an item checked out
to someone else be recalled and held for them when returned. The Library,
however, cannot divulge who has any item checked out.
Patrons are delinquent when one of the following occurs:
1)
more than $5.00 is owed to the Library in fines or
fees;
2)
items checked out to the patron are overdue;
3)
too many “bad check-ins” occur, such as a claimed
return;
4)
the number of items checked-out has exceeded the
person’s limit; and/or
5)
abuse of interlibrary use privileges have been
reported to the Library.
Students
must clear their record before they are able to check-out library materials, to
register for classes, or to graduate.
Circulation desk telephone: 404-687-4610
Circulation desk e-mail: Circ-Desk@CTSnet.edu
Staff person responsible for circulation: Mary Martha Riviere
Contents
Reserves
The Library currently has four different categories of reserves:
1) Closed reserve: Items remain in the Library at all times and may circulate
for two hours.
2) One night reserve: Items may be checked out any time during the day for
overnight use and are due back one half hour after the Library opens the next
day.
3) Two night reserve: Items may be checked out any time during the day and are
due one half hour before closing two days later.
4) One week
reserve: Items may be checked out any time during the day for overnight use and
are due back one half hour after the Library opens the next week.
Students should request reserve materials at the circulation desk by course
number, instructor, and author/title of the material. Overdue fines for reserve materials are 75
cents per hour per item, with no limit. For
example, a student who returns a reserve item that was due Monday at 9:00 a.m.
on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. will incur a fine of $18.00.
The Library only places on reserve materials specifically requested by the
class instructor. Textbooks are not automatically placed on reserve unless requested
by the instructor.
The
Library requires a minimum of 3 working days to process any request for items
to be added to reserves.
Staff
person responsible for reserves: Mary Martha Riviere
Locations/Services
When the Library is open, anyone may use the collections or request services. Visitors, i.e., those persons not registered
as library users, are required to register in the guest book on the stand in
the lobby.
The
building consists of two wings with four floors. The west side is the newer section, completed
in 1996. The east side is the original
building, completed in 1953 and renovated in 1996. The main entrance is located on the 2nd floor
of the west side. All other exterior
doors are locked and alarmed. In an
emergency, all exterior doors may be used as exits. In case of a fire, do not use the elevators. Follow signs to the nearest ground level exit.
The midrange floor is located between the
1st and 2nd floors on the east side only.
The
location of services and materials is as follows:
Third Floor West (3W)
Second
Floor West (2W)
First
Floor West (1W)
Third
Floor East (3E)
Second
Floor East (2E)
Midrange
Floor East (MidE)
·
Circulating books A-BR and theses
First
Floor East (1E)
The
building has several different configurations of tables and chairs on each
floor for study and research. The reference
area on 2W is a place for conversations.
Quiet areas with tables are located in the bound periodicals room on 2E
and the study areas adjacent to the carrels on 1W and 3W.
Three
meeting rooms are available in the Library, but must be scheduled through the
CTS facilities coordinator. Four
visiting scholar offices on 2E are also available, but must be scheduled
through the academic dean’s office.
Access for
physically challenged patrons
Physically challenged patrons can access the building in two
ways:
1)
From the quadrangle, a ramp leads to
the main entrance.
2)
From the Library parking lot, the
sidewalk that leads to the stairs also veers to the left and leads to the staff
door on the ground level (1W). An intercom by the door is connected to the
circulation desk, which has a door release button.
Patrons may also request assistance from the librarian on
duty at the reference desk for the retrieval of any item in the building.
Policies regarding use of the building:
1. No food or drinks (including
water bottles) are allowed in the building, with the exception of the table
inside the main entrance. The table will
be cleared daily.
2. No tobacco products may be used
in the building.
3. Children under the age of 18 must
be accompanied by an adult while in the building, including in the Griffith
Children's Library.
4. No candles or any other heat or
smoke creating devices are permitted in the building.
5. Appropriate dress is required,
including wearing shoes.
6. The Library's resources are
intended for educational use only.
7. If the limited number of
resources creates a conflict in use, primacy goes to CTS students, faculty and
staff.
8. Cell phones may be used in the
lobby only.
See also a
further policy regarding Children in the Library
Policy regarding children
in the Library
The Library’s open access policy is restricted to adults. The Library may contain materials that are
inappropriate for children. Furthermore,
the public access computers do not utilize censoring software programs when
accessing the Internet. Therefore, a responsible adult must accompany anyone
under the age of 18 at all times when they are in the building. Unaccompanied children
and young people will be asked to leave the building.
Contents
Computers
Computer clusters are available in two places, the reference area on 2W and the
computer lab on 3W.
Single computers are also located on 2E, MidE,
1E, and 1W.
All networked computers in the Library have access to the on-line
catalog, several on-line indexes, and the Internet. Library resources are also available from the
computers in the Harrington Center computer lab which is open for students 24
hours a day.
Two "stand-alone" computers in the reference area
have BibleWorks, Hebrew Tutor and Greek Tutor. These two PCs are not networked and cannot
be used for online searching or for email. Word processing is only available in the
computer labs. Documents may be printed
from any computer.
The reference area computers are networked to a printer
located behind the circulation desk. The lab computers are networked to a
printer in the lab.
Bibliographic citations from any database may be printed
free. The cost for printing all other
documents is 5 cents per page.
The Library is not responsible for the upkeep and
maintenance of the computer labs. Please
contact pchelp@ctsnet.edu or 404-687-4561 for
assistance.
Two photocopiers are available for
public use, a Gestetner copier for unbound documents
and books in the copier room on 2W and a Minolta scanner for books in the A/V
room on 3W.
Photocopies cost 5 cents per page, payable at the
circulation desk.
The Library uses a CopyGuard Card
system. Copy cards cost $ .50 each. Value in $1.00 increments may be added to the
card up to a capacity of $99.00.
The Library cannot provide change.
The Library is not responsible for replacing the credits on
a lost or damaged card.
Contents
Microfiche/film reader/printers
Two microfilm/microfiche reader/printers are available in
the microform area on 2W.
Copies cost 5 cents per page, payable at the circulation desk.
Two TV/VCR stations and one audio station are available for
public use in the Audio/ visuals room on 3W. Please use the headphones provided.
Other A/V equipment is available through Media
Services.
Contents
Collections
The Library purchases printed materials primarily in monographic and serial
form. The Library also acquires titles
in other formats, including audiocassettes, videocassettes, compact discs,
microfilm, microfiche, computer files, and CD-ROMs. Access to bibliographic records for the
collection is provided through an online catalog that can be
accessed in the Library or on the Internet. Acquisitions are approved by the director of
the Library in compliance with the Collection Management Policy.
Staff person responsible for collections: Sara Myers
Phone: 404-687-4547
E-mail: myerss@ctsnet.edu
Interlibrary Loan
CTS faculty, students and staff may make requests for books and photocopies of
articles not owned by the Library through interlibrary loan (ILL). The request forms are online in the EBSCOhost WorldCat databases.
In addition, paper ILL request forms are available at the
reference desk. A separate form must be
completed for each requested item. All patron and bibliographical information
must be provided and the form signed, then returned to the librarian on duty at
the reference desk. Assistance in
completing the form is available at the reference desk.
ILL requests are placed through the OCLC-ILL system and can
take 2-4 weeks to be filled, depending on the lending library. For photocopies of articles, the lending
library determines the cost of copying and that cost is
passed on to the patron. For materials
to be returned to the lending library, the due date, as well as late fees are
determined by that library and are passed on to the patron. The Library is prohibited by copyright law
from placing more than five requests for articles from any one periodical title
in a five-year period. Patrons are required to comply with all copyright laws.
Staff person responsible for interlibrary loan: Griselda Lartey
Phone: 404-687-4548
E-mail: Library-ILL@CTSnet.edu
Contents
ARCHE Interlibrary Use (ILU)
Columbia Theological Seminary maintains membership in the Atlanta Regional
Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE).
As a result, the Library is eligible for participation in the ARCHE
interlibrary use (ILU) program. CTS
faculty, students, and staff needing access to an ARCHE library may request an
ILU card from the librarian on duty at the reference desk. See appendix
for member institutions.
The policy for interlibrary use (ILU) is determined by the ARCHE Library
Council and it states:
ARCHE libraries cooperative program permits the use of the
library of any other member institution by members of the faculty, research
staff, and student body of other member institutions for the purpose of
supplementing the resources of their own library. It is expected that each
library will meet the normal demands of its undergraduate and graduate
students. The policy does not permit the use of another library for study
purposes or merely for convenience.
An ILU card may be issued by an authorized librarian of a member institution to
faculty, research staff, and students in good standing. The person issuing the
card will ascertain that there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met by
her/his library. Whenever possible, all bibliographical and reference work
should be done by the faculty/student in her/his own library before being sent
to another. Also, whenever practical, it should be ascertained that the books
desired are among the holdings of the library to which she/he is being sent.
An ILU card shall be issued for use in one library only. When a faculty member
or graduate student has a justifiable reason for borrowing books from more than
one institution, she/he may be given a card for each library. A student card
shall be issued for a limited time, not to exceed the end of the term in which
it is issued.
Each library reserves the right to establish its own rules and regulations
governing the use and circulation of materials and may limit the number of
volumes or restrict the use of certain materials whenever necessary. No library
extends “faculty privileges” to faculty members of another institution.
Each borrower shall be responsible for learning and observing the rules and
regulations of the lending library. Any abuses of interlibrary use privilege
shall be reported to the librarian at the borrower’s institution for
appropriate action, including revocation of the ILU privilege from the
offending person.
Again, patrons needing access to an ARCHE library must request an ILU card from
the librarian on duty at the reference desk.
Contents
Media Services
The media services office is housed in the Library on
1East, though administratively, it is part of the business office. All media services facilities and equipment
are available for students to use while at CTS, with assistance provided by the
staff of the department.
Students may use any of the following materials and equipment, in conjunction
with a class or class project. Please
check with the media services staff to ask what equipment may be checked out
for off-campus use.
The specific media services available to students include:
Ordering
Copies of Community Worship Services
Staff person responsible for media services: Jeff Vaughan
Phone: 404-687-4635
E-mail: vaughanj@CTSnet.edu
· Audio recording
· Video duplication (duplication of sermons)*
· Audio cassette duplication*
· CD-ROM production*
· Video production and editing facilities (VHS, S VHS, DVC-Pro)
· Reformatting of materials (audio, video, PC)*
· Video standards conversion (NTSC to PAL, SECAM and vice-versa)*
· Satellite programming recording
· Cable TV programming recording
· Teleconferencing (video and audio)
· Audio editing
· Copystand work (still and video)
· Graphics production
· Lamination*
· Color transparencies*
· Large format color printing* (posters & banners)*
· PC-based multimedia presentations
· Streaming video/audio
· Training or orientation
*There is a charge associated with
this service. Please check with the
media services staff for current prices.
BACK
Equipment:
· Interactive whiteboard system
· Multimedia-based presentation/instruction systems
· Video projection system
· DVD video player
· PC-based presentation system
· Laptop PC (used in conjunction with above)
· Digital still camera
· Video cassette recorders (VHS and S VHS)
· Camcorder (VHS and digital video)
· Classroom televisions
· CD-ROM production (audio, video & PC-based)
· Overhead projectors
· Slide projectors (35mm)
· Microphones (wired & wireless)
· P/A system (wired & wireless)
· Audio cassette recorders (mono and stereo)
· CD audio player
· Color flatbed scanner
Requests for media services should be made at least 24 hours
prior to projected use. (48 hours notice
is preferred.) Requests should be made
to the media services staff via e-mail (vaughanj@CTSnet.edu or 404-687-4635) or
through the use of a form available at the circulation desk in the Library.
BACK
Ordering Copies of Community Worship Services
Media services staff make videotape, DVD, audio tape and CD
recordings of almost all chapel services. These tapes are stored for one month in the
control room beside the chapel. After
one month, the tapes are erased and reused. Archival copies of faculty sermons
are cataloged and stored in the Library.
If you wish to have a copy of a chapel service, please request it from the
student assistant on duty following the chapel service or stop by the circulation
desk and fill out the proper form. You
may also make a written request and deposit it in CTS Box 7F. Videotape and DVD copies currently cost $5.00
and CD or audiotape copies currently cost $3.00. This price includes the cost of a new tape,
labeling, and packaging. Requests for
tapes may take several days to fill, depending on the number of requests and
available staff to process the requests.
BACK
Study Carrels
The Library has two types of study carrels for student use, open study carrels
and closed study carrels. Space in an
open study carrel on 1E and MidE may be reserved for
each term by signing out the specific carrel at the circulation desk. Closed study carrels that can be locked are
available on a priority basis to Advanced Degree students. Applications for closed study carrels must be
completed and returned to the library staff associate (212 Library). Continued use of study carrels is dependent
upon compliance with the policy, "Policy for the Use of Closed Study
Carrels," available at the circulation desk.
Staff person responsible for study carrels: Debbie Loetell
Phone: 404-687-4622
E-mail: loetelld@CTSnet.edu
Contents
C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections
and Archives
The Library collects and preserves materials relating to the history of
Columbia Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the C.
Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections and Archives, which was named for a
retired dean, president and theology professor. The archives include, but are not limited to,
institutional papers and records, faculty papers and records, CTS faculty
publications, and CTS student theses.
Special collections also contains a rare book collection that includes books
published before 1866, books classified as UNION, and other old, rare or
brittle items. The core of the rare book
collection came from the library of Thomas Smyth, an early 19th
century southern Presbyterian pastor.
The Library is currently trying to reassemble the private collection of Rev.
Smyth.
The special collections area is located on 3West and is kept locked at all
times. Access to special collections is
by appointment only. Materials may be
used in the reference area on 2W upon approval of the librarian, but may not be
checked out of the building. Forms
requesting materials from special collections are available at the reference desk.
Staff persons responsible for area:
Chris Paton
Phone: 404-687-4628
E-mail: PatonC@CTSnet.edu
Linda Davis
Phone: 404-687-4615
E-mail: DavisL@CTSnet.edu
Montreat Collection
In 2006, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
(USA) voted to move a significant portion of the archival collections of the
Church, which were formerly located at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Montreat, NC to Columbia Theological Seminary. The collections include primarily materials
from the Southern Stream of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its predecessor
bodies. The Southern Stream is identified as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia. The holdings
include:
• Local church histories written by
Presbyterian Women nation-wide
• Congregational records
• Presbytery records
• Synod records
• Personal papers
• Artifacts
Staff persons responsible for area:
Chris Paton
Phone: 404-687-4628
E-mail: PatonC@CTSnet.edu
Linda Davis
Phone: 404-687-4615
E-mail: DavisL@CTSnet.edu
Contents
Electronic Gateway
The Library maintains links to information sources available only through the
Internet. These resources include
GALILEO, the Georgia statewide library learning online system, and the American
Theological Library Association (ATLA) religion databases and other EBSCOhost offerings. Access to
GALILEO can be made from the Columbia Theological Seminary campus without a
password. For external access the URL is
http://www.galileo.peachnet.edu.
A password is required, which is
available from the librarian on duty at the reference desk. Access to the ATLA databases also requires a
password for off-campus use, which is available from the librarian at the
reference desk.
Contents
Collection Management Policy—April 2008
I. History of the collection to 1953
“Before the Seminary’s opening, committees from the Board
began collecting books for the library. Each presbytery appointed such a
committee in 1829, and about three hundred volumes were collected….By 1850 there
were 4,582 volumes. The library was housed on the third floor [of Ansley Hall or Ainslie Hall].” (LaMotte, 54) “The library
consisted of 5,296 volumes in 1854; the Smyth Library was purchased in 1856,
adding 11,520 volumes. In 1863 there were 17,778 volumes.” (LaMotte, 116) By
the early 20th century, the collection also included “the personal libraries of
Rev. John Douglas, Dr. George Howe, Dr. S. Beach Jones, Dr. S. M. Smith, and
Dr. J. W. Flinn.” (LaMotte, 192) “The library, of
some 32,000 volumes in 1926, many of which are rare books, was transported to
Decatur and housed in the Campbell Hall. The library of Dr. R. C. Reed, some
2,000 books, was presented by the family of the deceased. Dr. Thornton Whaling
gave his library of about the same size…In the fall of 1936 the library was
being fully catalogued, and an expert librarian assumed charge.” (LaMotte, 231)
By the time a separate building was constructed for the library in 1953, the
collection numbered approximately 40,000 volumes. (Richards, 81)
II. General collection development guidelines
The collections of the John Bulow Campbell Library are
developed in accordance with the library’s mission statement, which, in turn,
is guided by the seminary’s statement of mission. Accordingly, the collections
support the curriculum of the seminary and the research needs of the faculty.
Furthermore, the collections document the history and theology of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) and other churches in the Reformed tradition.
A. Responsibility for selection
The director of the library has primary responsibility for
the selection of materials added to the library's collections. Faculty members
are encouraged to assess library holdings in their fields and make
recommendations about titles to be acquired. Normally, recommended titles will
be purchased.
B. Scope and content
The library's collections include titles covering the major
theological disciplines and appropriate cognate areas. The library collects as
comprehensively as possible materials relating to the history, theology and
practice of the PCUSA, and, to a lesser extent, other churches in the Reformed
tradition. The library collects materials directly related to the seminary’s
curriculum and to areas of faculty research and publication. The library will
also attempt to anticipate future curricular needs and order titles
accordingly.
C. Level of Collection
The library acquires materials at a graduate level
appropriate for the programs offered at Columbia. In general, the library does
not acquire resources comprehensively in any field. However, the library does
support faculty research and purchases materials at a more advanced level as
requested by the faculty and as funding permits.
D. Languages
English is the primary language of the collection. Some
items are acquired in biblical Hebrew and Greek. In addition, titles in other
languages are purchased, if they conform to the general collection guidelines.
In particular, foreign language titles recommended by faculty members will be
considered.
E. Formats
The library buys materials in multiple formats and maintains
the equipment necessary to access any format purchased. The formats are: 1.
Print (books and periodicals)
Print is still the dominant format for books and periodicals
in theology and religion.
2. Microforms
Often microforms are the only format available for
out-of-print titles and manuscript/archival collections.
3. Digital
The collection includes many resources in electronic format,
including books, periodicals, reference sources, etc. Some are owned by the
library; some are annual subscriptions; some require maintenance fees. For
select titles, the library has both print and electronic versions.
4. Audiovisuals
Videocassettes, audiocassettes, compact disks, and DVDs are
purchased only when they will be used in classes.
F. Hardback versus Paperback
If there is a choice between hardback and paperback editions
of a book, the library acquires the paperback. However, if use of the item is
anticipated to be high or the cost difference is insignificant, the library
will acquire the hardback. If an item is available only in paperback and use
will be high, the book is sent to the bindery to be hardbound before it
circulates. All other paperbacks are laminated. If necessary, they will be sent
to the bindery after having circulated.
G. Duplication
Generally, a single copy of each title is acquired, unless
sufficient demand for multiple copies can be projected.
H. Ownership versus Access
The library acquires materials directly related to the curriculum.
For those subject areas peripheral to the curriculum, some representative
titles will be acquired, generally reference works and basic English-language
texts. However, the library will normally support such subject areas through
access to electronic databases, interlibrary loans, and interlibrary
cooperation.
III. Special Collections
A. Rare Books and Periodicals
Books and periodicals in the collection with pre-1866 publication dates are housed in the C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections and Archives area of the library. On a limited basis, damaged or brittle books and periodicals with pre-1900 publication dates may also be shelved