Library
Library Services
The B. Thomas Golisano Library offers extensive resources and services that support teaching and research in religion and theology. Opened in fall 2007, this $12 million facility is integral to the purpose of the Seminary through its contributions to teaching, learning, and research; moreover, it serves as a partner in curriculum development and implementation. The library’s educational effectiveness has increased both the quality of its collections and information resources, and the expertise and service commitment of the staff. To accomplish its task, the Golisano Library continues to strengthen the appropriate collections, effective information technology, and sufficient human and physical resources.
The library supports the educational programs of both Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary through its collections and services. The theological collections are integrated into the holdings of Golisano Library. The Golisano Library offers services through a Theological Librarian, Esther Gillie. The library brings together an array of resources in various formats (including electronic databases), competent professional and paraprofessional staff, and facilities for study and research. A designated graduate study area provides quiet study space for graduate students enrolled at RWC/NES who are actively pursuing academic research.
The library’s resources and services, including the Theological Librarian, contribute extensively to Northeastern Seminary’s educational programs.
The Learning Center, located in the Golisano Library, is a friendly place that assists students to become more efficient and independent learners. Its mission is to promote academic growth by offering assistance with writing a paper, tutoring services, providing an advocate for students with disabilities, and providing English language support and acquisition skills for international students.
The B. Thomas Golisano Library’s collections exceed 130,000 titles, including more than 27,000 titles in religion/philosophy. Print journal subscriptions exceed 250, while over 50,000 titles are available in electronic full text via database aggregators. More than 2000 titles in religion/philosophy are available. The Library also purchased 5 theological e-book collections from EBSCO as well as Oxford Biblical Studies Online and Twentieth Century Religious Thought, Volume 1: Christianity.
The library has budgeted $35,000 annually specifically for NES acquisitions in religion/theology, in addition to RWC acquisitions for undergraduate studies in religion and the humanities and other collateral fields. The D.Min. program has budgeted an additional $5,000 annually for NES acquisitions, bringing the total to $40,000 for NES-specific acquisitions.
Northeastern Seminary faculty adopted the Collection Development Policy for Northeastern Seminary in spring 2001 to ensure that the library’s collections support the Seminary’s curriculum. NES orders demonstrate adherence to this policy with resources being purchased in each designated subject to support the Seminary’s curriculum offerings. This policy strengthens print and electronic collections to provide substantial support for Northeastern Seminary course bibliographies. The principal subject areas are biblical studies, church history, doctrinal theology, pastoral theology, and spirituality. The policy is primarily determined by the NES curriculum and expresses a special concern for resources related to underrepresented groups, global perspectives, and feminist studies. The policy mandates acquisitions in several key areas, including ecumenical studies, missiology, philosophy of religion, religion and science, Methodist studies, and world religions. The policy reflects a strong concern for globalization, freedom of inquiry, and inclusion by requiring the acquisition of materials across a wide spectrum of traditions and perspectives.