An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States

Theological (seminary) and congregational libraries in the Christian and Jewish religious traditions have coexisted in some fashion since their beginnings; however, little research exists regarding the relationship between these related-but-distinct library types. This essay explores the relationsh...

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Main Author: Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Theological Library Association 2013-12-01
Series:Theological Librarianship
Online Access:https://serials.atla.com/theolib/article/view/2326
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author Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri
author_facet Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri
author_sort Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri
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description Theological (seminary) and congregational libraries in the Christian and Jewish religious traditions have coexisted in some fashion since their beginnings; however, little research exists regarding the relationship between these related-but-distinct library types. This essay explores the relationship between these types of libraries through a survey of their literatures and available statistics, considering their histories and contexts within the broader religious and library worlds, as well as their current relationship in light of their diverse religious institutions. The roles of these libraries will be examined regarding religious, theological, and information literacies as well as exploring their staffs, their staff's education, funding, library hours, their goals, objectives, and outcomes, particularly regarding the changing landscape of religious and theological education for both clergy and laypeople.  It concludes with future possibilities in the religious library world in a congregational landscape that often cannot afford full-time, traditionally-theologically-educated clergy, much less paid congregational librarians.
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spelling doaj.art-f9ee2bcd79164c37bdc2fc8b8c6e3cb22023-12-07T17:33:15ZengAmerican Theological Library AssociationTheological Librarianship1937-89042013-12-017110.31046/tl.v7i1.324An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United StatesRebecca Klemme Eliceiri0University of Missouri - Columbia / Webster University Theological (seminary) and congregational libraries in the Christian and Jewish religious traditions have coexisted in some fashion since their beginnings; however, little research exists regarding the relationship between these related-but-distinct library types. This essay explores the relationship between these types of libraries through a survey of their literatures and available statistics, considering their histories and contexts within the broader religious and library worlds, as well as their current relationship in light of their diverse religious institutions. The roles of these libraries will be examined regarding religious, theological, and information literacies as well as exploring their staffs, their staff's education, funding, library hours, their goals, objectives, and outcomes, particularly regarding the changing landscape of religious and theological education for both clergy and laypeople.  It concludes with future possibilities in the religious library world in a congregational landscape that often cannot afford full-time, traditionally-theologically-educated clergy, much less paid congregational librarians. https://serials.atla.com/theolib/article/view/2326
spellingShingle Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri
An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
Theological Librarianship
title An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
title_full An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
title_fullStr An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
title_full_unstemmed An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
title_short An Invisible Wall: The Relationship Between Congregational and Seminary Libraries in the United States
title_sort invisible wall the relationship between congregational and seminary libraries in the united states
url https://serials.atla.com/theolib/article/view/2326
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