The Library at Wesley Theological Seminary

As its mission, the library supports teaching, learning, and critical inquiry at the Wesley Theological Seminary in service to the seminary's educational ministry and mission. We believe that a theology library is not a storehouse of information, but a place to enter into dialogue with the vast treasury of the Christian theological tradition, and we strive to be your partner in theological education and research.

Beginning August 16, 2021, the library will open to align with the seminary's safe reopening plan. All visitors to the library must complete the COVID-19 Visitor Questionnaire Form online or scan the QR code posted on the library entrance. Face masks are required and occupancy limits will be in place.

Library Operations

Access
The library building, collections and in-person services will be available to students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the public. Currently, the seminar room, classroom, and library lounge are not be available for use.

Seating
There will be a limit to the number of people who can be in the library at the same time. Maximum occupancy will be posted on each floor.

Staff Availability
In addition to in-person assistance, library staff will provide remote assistance by Zoom appointments and email (Please allow 3 business days for response to email).

Returning/Renewing Library Materials
To avoid disruption to your borrowing privileges, return or renew borrowed materials by their due date. See Returning Library Materials for details and instructions.

Further details are available at Library Operations and Services.

Library Services

Available Services

The following in-person services are available to most library users:

borrowing library materials
creation and renewal of library borrowing accounts
self-checkout
computers (seating and usage limits apply)
document scanning (at no cost)
document printing (fees to print may be applicable)

Materials Request and Pickup (by appointment)
The library will continue to offer materials pickup for WTS students, faculty, and staff. See Materials Request and Pickup for details and instructions.

Materials Mail Delivery
With a few exceptions, the library will continue to mail requested materials to WTS faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students living in the continental U.S. See Materials Mail Delivery for details and instructions.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery
WTS faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students are eligible for ILL and Document Delivery services. See ILL and Document Delivery for details and instructions.

Course Reserves
Assigned texts (physical and electronic) are held in the Course Reserves collection. Physical texts may only be used in the library. See Course Reserves.

Research and Resources (Quick Links)

Search Tools

Wesley Discovery Service (WDS)
Use the WDS to explore the contents of the library collection, eBooks, journals, and database simultaneously.

Library Online Catalog
Use the online catalog to find books, media, D.Min. project papers, and journals located in the physical library. Use the online catalog to also access your library borrower’s account.

Course Reserve
Use the Course Reserve database to find texts assigned by faculty that are on reserve in the library.

Biblical Interpretation Resource Guide
This guide outlines specific resources that may be helpful for biblical interpretation.

Online Resources

Online Resources Guide
This guide provides an alphabetical list of and individual access to article databases, eBook collections, commentaries, journals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. Off campus access requires a My Wesley username and password.

Off Campus Access
This guide provides instructions on how to access online resources from off campus.

ATLA Religion/ATLA Serials PLUS Databases
These databases provide full-text articles and journals emphasizing religion and theology.

Journals A-Z Guide
This guide provided an alphabetized list of the library’s print/online subscription journals and periodicals.

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min. Project Papers Guide
This guide has information on finding previous D.Min. project papers. The guide also has instructions for formatting D.Min. project papers.

D.Min. Handbook & Style Guide
The handbook and style guide provide guidance and instructions on how to format the D.Min. project paper for submission to the library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Organized by category, the FAQ contains questions library users frequently ask about the library's services, operations, resources, and support. The FAQ will continue to be updated to meet the information needs of our library users.

FAQ Guide
Library COVID-19 Protocols
Search Tools and Online Resources
Research
Doctor Ministry Project Papers
Library Borrowing
General Information
Library Meeting Spaces
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
Donating Books to the Library
Technical Support

Help and Technical Support

Library Staff

Library staff are available to help you find resources (print and digital), use databases, conduct research, and address library account issues.

In addition to in-person assistance, library staff will be available to provide remote assistance by Zoom appointment and email (Please allow 3 business days for response to email).

Contact the library by phone (202) 885-8695 or email library@wesleyseminary.edu. Please allow three business days for a response.

For more information, see our Staff page.

Technical Support

My Wesley Accounts.
The library does not issue or manage the My Wesley Account. If you have difficulties with your username, password, or access to the My Wesley portal, contact SolutionWorx, the seminary IT affiliate. Students use: studenthelp@solutionworx.com. Faculty and staff use: support@solutionworx.com.

Library Borrower's Accounts.
The library creates and manages borrower's accounts which use a different username and password than the My Wesley account. Typically, the Wesley ID serves as the borrower's card for WTS students, faculty, and staff. The library will issue cards other borrower's.

If you experience problems with your borrower's account, contact the library by phone (202) 885-8695 or email library@wesleyseminary.edu.

Blackboard.
The library does not manage access to Blackboard. Please contact Blackboard Support for assistance.

Accessing Online Resources.
If you are in the library, you can access the library's online resources without a username and password. If you are off campus, however, you will need your My Wesley username and password. Off campus access is limited to currently enrolled WTS students, faculty, and staff.

If you are experiencing problems with off campus access to the library's online resources, library staff can help you to identify the nature of the issue and direct you on the best course for resolution. Contact the library by phone (202) 885-8695 or email library@wesleyseminary.edu.