Public Services - Using the Library

Students from partnering schools or colleges with a current library card can use the following Library services:

• Use of open study spaces and public wifi
• Use of open-access databases only
• Use of reservable group study rooms
• Check out of internal use only items, such as headphones and public access computers.
• Check out physical books and DVDs
• Check out non-book items, such as umbrellas, blankets, etc. 

The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) Reciprocal Borrowing Program is an arrangement between participating North American ATLA Institutional Members to grant in-person borrowing privileges to each other’s patrons/students.

A patron/student goes to a participating library, shows proof of current enrollment at another participating library, and checks out materials based on the library’s local lending policies. ​ 

Click here for a list of participating institutions & college libraries and their contact information.

Reciprocal borrowing is a voluntary program whereby ACL institutions choosing to participate would extend in-person borrowing privileges to authorized patrons from other ACL institutions. Patrons, including faculty, students, and staff, have reciprocal access to the physical collections of participating Christian institutions. This access is especially valuable for those who may not live near their home institution.

Borrowing Procedures:

• The borrower obtains a signed Authorization Form from the home library to receive borrowing privileges from a participating library. This Authorization Form can be downloaded and signed digitally.
• Currently employed faculty and staff and currently, enrolled students in good standing are eligible. The home library has the authority to issue or deny this privilege.
• The home library determines the length of a valid authorization. The authorization period may vary depending on the status of the borrower but should be no longer than a year.  When the authorization period expires, the borrower may request another signed authorization form from the home library.
• The borrower takes the signed Authorization Form along with a photo ID to a participating library. Privileges and loan periods are determined by the lending library and may vary from those of the borrower’s home institution.
• Borrower returns materials to the lending library by the requested due date and pays any applicable fines and fees for late, lost, or damaged materials as determined by the lending library.

For a full list of Participating Institutions, as well as a full list of policies, see the ACL Reciprocal Borrowing Program page. 

To register as a Partnering Christian College student, please do the following:

1. Fill out the Registration form below to register for a library card.

• Fill out the form below with your name and information, ensuring that you include a unique email address, as this will be used for your username in our system. 
• Under "Partnering Institution," enter the name of the partnering Christian College. 
• Under "Reciprocal Borrowing Group," enter "ATLA" or "ACL," depending on which partnership group your university/seminary is a member of. 

2. Once all forms are complete, please come to the Resource Desk to take a photo and show proof of identification. 

• To prove membership in your institution, please bring a current student ID or show proof of student status by proving enrollment via logging into the college website, Canvas, Blackboard, etc. 
• NOTE: For ACL participants, please bring signed ACL form from home library before registering. 

3. A library card will be issued, which must be brought and scanned each time you visit, both for checking out materials and checking in when entering the library.