Christian Librarianship


Book Description

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.




Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences


Book Description

The Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, comprising of seven volumes, now in its fourth edition, compiles the contributions of major researchers and practitioners and explores the cultural institutions of more than 30 countries. This major reference presents over 550 entries extensively reviewed for accuracy in seven print volumes or online. The new fourth edition, which includes 55 new entires and 60 revised entries, continues to reflect the growing convergence among the disciplines that influence information and the cultural record, with coverage of the latest topics as well as classic articles of historical and theoretical importance.




A Broadening Conversation


Book Description

The American Theological Library Association has served libraries, librarians, and academic institutions with distinction for sixty years. A Broadening Conversation offers a means of listening in on the rich and vivid conversation of this community over the course of its history so far.




Theological Librarians and the Internet


Book Description

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!







Writing and Publishing


Book Description

Have you ever considered writing or reviewing for the library community? Are you interested in publishing a book on your favorite author or hobby? Do you need to write and publish for tenure? If so, Writing and Publishing is for you. Practical how-to guidance covering fiction, poetry, children's books/magazines, self-publishing, literary agents, personal blogging, and other topics will help you write * As an expert for other library professionals * Creative copy and information about your library * Copy for websites, blogs, and online columns * Bibliographic essays and lists * Book reviews (formal and informal)Writing and Publishing will serve as a great resource, whether in taking the anxiety out of writing or refining your style, you’ll use this book as much as your pen or keyboard!




The Faithful Librarian


Book Description

What do Christianity and librarianship have in common? Netherlands Prime Minister and theologian Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was among the first in the modern era to attempt to rejoin the dichotomy of sacred vs. secular study when he said, "no single piece of our mental world is to be hermetically sealed off from the rest." Over the years a number of publications have followed Kuyper's lead yet little has been written on the subject since Greg A. Smith's notable Christian Librarianship (2002). Building on Smith's work, this volume seeks to bridge the sacred/secular divide with an exploration of how Christianity and the gospel are manifested through the profession of librarianship.







Hell's Destruction


Book Description

The credal affirmation, 'he descended to the dead', has attracted a plethora of views over the centuries and many Christians today struggle to explain the meaning of these words. This book explores various interpretations of the doctrine of Christ's descent to the dead, both within particular historical contexts and within contemporary theology. Laufer argues that the descensus clause, Christ's descent, is integral to Christian faith, specifically to the doctrine of the incarnation. If we are to affirm that, in Christ, God became truly human then that affirmation must include his sharing in the state of being dead that is the ultimate consequence of being human. Laufer concludes that, since the Son has experienced genuine human death and the separation from God which is the essence of hell, there is no longer any human condition from which God is absent, either in this life or in eternity. Christ's descent means that he is truly 'hell's destruction'. Drawing on a treasure trove of writings from the western theological tradition, including Luther, Calvin, Maurice, Balthasar, Moltmann and others, and attending to historical, theological, exegetical, philosophical and pastoral issues, this book explores an often-ignored doctrine which lies at the core of Christian life, death and faith.