During the past 50 years, theological libraries have confronted secularisation and religious pluralism, along with revolutionary technological developments that brought not only significant challenges but also unexpected opportunities to adopt new instruments for the transfer of knowledge through the automation and computerisation of libraries. This book shows how European theological libraries tackled these challenges; how they survived by redefining their task, by participating in the renewal of scholarly librarianship, and by networking internationally. Since 1972, BETH, the Association of European Theological Libraries, has stimulated this process by enabling contacts among a growing number of national library associations all over Europe.

The amount of religious and theological material available on the Internet is enormous and can be daunting. Are you finding the information you need? This valuable book will assist theological librarians, instructors, researchers, and others in making sense of the vast amounts of religious and theological information available today on the Internet. It provides a general overview of what's out there and specific examples that you can access as you read. Beginning with a thorough discussion of information technology and theological libraries, Theological Librarians and the Internet: Implications for Practice compares and contrasts the state of the field in 1990 with the situation that theological librarians face today. Then you'll learn how theological libraries are beginning to utilize Web catalogs to improve access to their unique collections and how the major gateways to these catalogs can be accessed. This unique book also provides you with predictions for the future of Web OPACs. Theological Librarians and the Internet is filled with information on: electronic journals in religious studies Web-based online catalogs in theological libraries theological distance education Christian art on the Internet homiletics and liturgy on the Internet Web site design a Web-based tutorial on Judaism Theological Librarians and the Internet will familiarize you with the creation and structure of the Wabash Center Guide to Internet Resources in Religion. It will also instruct you in using the Internet in religious studies courses and show you how to design a user-friendly Web site for your library so that all of your patrons can navigate it efficiently. No one interested in finding religious information on the Web should be without this volume!

Following the format of Fitzroy Dearborn's highly successful International Dictionary of Historic Places and International Dictionary of University Histories, the International Dictionary of Library Histories provides basic information for each institution - location and holdings - followed by an extensive (1,000-5,000 word) essay on its history as well as a Further Reading list. In addition, the dictionary includes introductory articles on the history of various types of libraries and a library history in various regions of the world. The dictionary profiles more than 200 institutions from around the world, including the world's most important research libraries and other libraries with globally or regionally notable collections, innovative traditions, and significant and interesting histories. The essays take advantage of the growing scholarship of library history to provide insightful overviews of each institution, including not only the traditional values of these libraries but their innovations as well, such as developments in automated systems and electronic delivery. The profiles will emphasize the unique materials of research in these institutions - archives, manuscripts, personal and institutional papers. The introductory articles on types of libraries include topics ranging from theological libraries to prison libraries, from the ancient to the digital. An international team of more than 200 leading scholars in the field have contributed essays to the project.

Libraries and librarians are indispensable to student learning and the formation of researchers at the doctoral level. This book identifies five areas and sixteen principles that need to be considered by theological schools when optimizing library operations to serve doctoral programs. As an illustration of these principles, the book provides narratives from four theological libraries – in Nairobi, Hong Kong, Bangalore, and Amsterdam – that have successfully transitioned to serve doctoral programs. The contributors present tested best practice alongside their successful experiences pioneering libraries that serve doctoral programs in challenging situations. An invaluable training resource for Majority World librarians, this book also offers insight into quality guidelines for accreditation agencies supporting theological institutions in developing robust and flourishing programs.

Much of the current library literature assumes that professional library service is necessarily neutral-detached from the librarian's philosophical or religious views. By contrast, contributors to this collection assert that librarianship is best practiced as an outworking of spiritual conviction. Accordingly, they discuss principles for integrating Christian faith and librarianship within various contexts, and reflect on professional issues from biblical and theological perspectives. This text will prove beneficial to Christians working in all types of libraries, whether religious or secular. This compilation of 16 essays is divided into two main parts, the first on theory and the second on practice. The first part includes chapters such as A Rationale for Integrating Christian Faith and Librarianship, The Master We Serve: The Call of the Christian Librarian to the Secular Workplace; and The Impact of the Christian Faith on Library Service. Chapters in the second part include Library Encounters Culture, A Christian Approach to Intellectual Freedom in Libraries and Keeping Sunday Special in the Contemporary Workplace Culture. Contributors include William Fraher Abernathy, Rod Badams, Donald G. Davis, Jr., John Allen Delivuk, Kenneth D. Gill, Graham Hedges, D. Elizabeth Irish, James R. Johnson, Roger W. Phillips, Gregory A. Smith, Stanford Terhune, John B. Trotti, John Mark Tucker and Geoff Warren.

This handbook provides thorough, up-to-date information on associations concerned with the fields of librarianship, documentation, information science and archives. The second, completely revised and considerably enlarged edition contains 633 comprehensive and updated entries from over 130 countries. Over 170 new entries documenting the latest trends and developments in the field are included, and an increase of more than 7 % in the number of associations covered. The first part lists internationally active associations in alphabetical order. In the second part, national associations are arranged by country, and listed within the countries alphabetically. The volume includes indexes of names, subjects and official organs. The entries contain the following details: Name, with abbreviation and English translation where available Address with telephone, telex, fax, eMail and URL Functionaries, members of staff Languages, Year of foundation Main field of interest and goals Structure, finances Summary of members (numbers, structure, types of membership) Membership conferences, congresses, publications Activities (e.g. legislative proceedings or educational)

The Handbook of Theological Education in World Christianity is the first attempt to map and analyze developments in theological education on a global scale. This volume, with contributions from 98 leaders in theological education from around the world, provides a comprehensive introduction to the major themes and contexts in the international discourse on theological education, surveys of the issues and challenges faced in different regions, and introductory essays on the developments in the major denominational families in World Christianity. The editors are Dietrich Werner, World Council of Churches, Geneva; David Esterline, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago; Namsoon Kang, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth; and Joshva Raja, Queen's Foundation, Birmingham.