FAQs: Library
All currently enrolled students are entitled to register as library borrowers, which gives them access to the library as well as online materials.
Auditing students must pay a fee of $100 to use the library.
BCV/MST graduates pay a fee of $50.00 per semester to join.
Others pay $100 per semester
General access to the library is available to any person who is prepared to comply with the library’s rules and may use the library as a reading room.
This applies only to books and journals and doesn’t give you Internet access. The library is not a public facility.
Kathy Caddy is the librarian, and Yen Wong is the assistant librarian.
Students may borrow 5 books for 2 weeks. They may be re-borrowed once if not reserved.
Students enrolled in Nash Institute and CSIOF may borrow 10 books for 3 weeks.
Books may be renewed by phone or email.
Term hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9am-5pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 9am-9pm
Saturdays 9am-12pm
Term breaks and Summer holidays
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday (tba)
There are computers with Internet access as well as a wireless facility.
Access is through library barcode and password. The on-line resources page provides a full list of available links. They are usable from the library opacs without a password.
We have access to ATLA Religion database. This is an index to articles from major religion and theological libraries. The Religion and Philosophy database includes full-text articles. ATLAS includes full-text articles. These are accessible through the ebschohost address above.
We also have individual access to a wide variety of periodicals that we subscribe to in hard copy. See the librarian for further details.
The ARI (Australian Religion Index) is now available online. This is an index of Australian articles.
http://www.anztla.org/AriLogin.aspx
Holdings for periodicals available in Australian & New Zealand libraries is available at http://www.anztla.org/Pages/publications.html#aulots This lists all the libraries where periodicals are held.
Current periodicals are on display until the most recent issue replaces them. They are then put into the journals collection, many of which will be bound.
No. Periodical along with items from the Reference Collection and Not For Loan section cannot be borrowed. We request that they be returned to the shelf they were taken from.
Yes. Please contact the library and make an appointment with a member of staff. Also, classes will be available at the beginning of each term. You are encouraged to attend.
The Pettee classification system was created in the 1930’s to deal with theological books and as such has many advantages over alternative schemes. Many of the major theological libraries in Australia use it.
What does this system of classification look like?
A Bibliography, encyclopedia, general reference books
B Languages, (English, Greek, Hebrew, etc.)
C. Whole Bible texts. General commentaries on whole Bible.
D. Old Testament canon, criticism, commenaries
E. Judaism, Apocryphal material, Intertestamental period
F New Testament canon, criticism, commentaries
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Patristic and Christian literature
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History (General)
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History (Church)
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History of doctrines
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History of denominations
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History by country
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History by country (Australian MW60)
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History of missions
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History of religion
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Science/Psychology/Counseling
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Ethics
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Theology
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Social Science
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Education
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Church governance/Worship
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Music
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Practical church work/Evangelism/Preaching
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Spirituality/Christian life
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Fine arts/Practical arts
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Miscellanea
The main collection is constantly being further developed, with the primary aim being to provide for the information needs of theological students and staff. It currently holds about 47,000 books. The strength of the library collection lies in the area of biblical studies, evangelical thought, missions and theology.
The Chinese collection provides books and materials in Mandarin and Cantonese for their students who have English as a second language. This is a rapidly expanding collection and holds about 15,000 volumes.
The CSIOF Collection is integrated into the main collection. We have one of the most complete collections on Islam in Australia.
CD Rom collection. We have a wide variety of CD ROMs for library use. There is a computer designated for this use as well as PDF files in the library.
AV collection. The video collection is gradually being replaced with DVD’s, as are the audiocassettes with CD’s.
Microfilm/fiches reader and collection. We have a collection of microfiche on New Religious Movements. We also have New Life Christian Newspaper on microfilm and the records of the Unevangelized Mission Field are on microfilm.
Archival collection. Along with the BCV archives the library holds the Victorian archives from Pioneers (APCM, SSEM, UFM) and OMF (CIM, BEM), Christian Endeavor. These are accessed only after permission from the mission organization.
Reserving books:
You may reserve books on the opac’s in the library as well as online on the catalogue. The library staff will notify you by email when the book is available. Books will be held for 4 days for pickup.
Overdue books:
There will be a fine of 50 cents a day per book for overdue books.
Within the library, there are places for quiet study, including a number of study carrels equipped with power supply and Internet access points.
There is an external chute near the entrance.
There are photocopiers in the library with scanning facilities available.
Photocopies are 10 cents per page. Photocopy cards must be purchased from reception and taken to the librarian for activation.
There are printers connected to library computers.
The following libraries are in Melbourne and may be used as reading rooms. You may also photocopy their holdings. If you wish to borrow you will have to pay to become a member.
Churches of Christ Theological Library
40-60 Jackson’s Road
Mulgrave
9790-1000
Harvest Bible College
307 Gladstone Road
Dandenong North
8791-5200
DML Library (formerly JTL at Ormond College)
1 Morrison Close
Parkville
9347-8480
http://opac.dml.vic.edu.au/#focus
Presbyterian Theological College Library
684 Elgar Road
Box Hill North
9898-9384
Ridley College Library
160 The Avenue
Parkville
9207-4905
http://library.ridley.edu.au/#focus
St. Paschal’s Library
90 Albion Road
Box Hill
9890-7385
http://spl.bpa.nu/liberty3/gateway/gateway.exe
Tabor College Library
222 Oban Road
Ringwood North
9844-8813
Whitley College Library
217 Royal Parade
Parkville
9348-8020
The library participates in the national interlibrary loans scheme.
The librarian will obtain articles for users from other institutions. There is a cost of $12.00 + GST per item for all students except students enrolled in the Nash Institute.
MST does not have any arrangement with other theological libraries. You may join them as a personal member.
There is a list on the website.
New books are put out for display. They may be borrowed from the display rack.
It is best to contact the library by email, as the information will be emailed to you. You will be given access passwords, codes and directions.
The library will post books to you when they are available. We paid for the outward postage and you pay to return them. You have three weeks borrowing (not including transit time).
