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.
Aligning with the seminary's safe reopening plan, the library has resumed regular operating hours. Face masks are optional.
Access
The library building, collections and in-person services are available to students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the general public. By reservation, the library classroom will be available to faculty, staff, and students for meetings and group study. Currently, the seminar room is not be available for use. The lounge is opened, but food consumption is not allowed at this time.
Seating
Seating is available throughout the library for use. While the first floor is a mixed space for study and moderate conversation, the basement and second floors are designated quite zones.
Staff Availability
In addition to in-person assistance, library staff will provide remote assistance by Zoom appointments and email (please allow 1-3 business days for a response).
Returning/Renewing Library Materials
To avoid disruption to your borrowing privileges, return or renew borrowed materials by their due date. See Returning Library Materials and Renewing Borrowed Materials for details and instructions.
Further details are available at Library Operations and 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
- document scanning (no cost)
- document printing (available to WTS students, faculty, and staff)
Course Reserve
The Course Reserve service is designed to make assigned course texts available and accessible to students each semester. While physical texts are held in the Course Reserve collection in the library, electronic texts may be available through the Wesley Discovery Service (WDS) as well. See Course Reserve for details and instructions.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery
WTS students, faculty, and staff are eligible for ILL and Document Delivery services. See ILL and Document Delivery for details and instructions.
Materials Request and Pickup (by appointment)
The library offers a materials pickup service 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 mail requested materials to WTS students, faculty, and staff living in the continental U.S. See Materials Mail Delivery for details and instructions.
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 physical texts assigned by faculty that are on reserve in the library. To find eBook versions of required texts, use the Wesley Discovery Service (WDS).
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.
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
Library Meeting Spaces
The Seminar Room(L-104), Classroom (L-105), and Godsey Room* may be reserved to serve the teaching and learning needs of the library and the educational mission of the Wesley Theological Seminary. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of the seminary may reserve each space for meetings and group study.
*Only WTS faculty and staff may reserve the Godsey Room for individual and group use. At the discretion of library staff, the Godsey Room may be used for WTS student spiritual formation groups if other spaces are not available.
See Reserve a Meeting Space for details and reservations.
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. Contact the library by phone (202) 885-8695 or email library@wesleyseminary.edu (allow 1-3 business days for a response).
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 WingSwept, the seminary IT support group.
Students: studenthelp@wingswept.com
Faculty and staff: support@wingswept.com
Library Borrower's Accounts
The library creates and manages borrower's accounts. The library account is not the same as the My Wesley account and has a different username and password. Typically, the Wesley ID serves as the borrower's card for WTS students, faculty, and staff. In the absence of a Wesley ID, the library will issue alternative cards for 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 a My Wesley username and password. Remote access to the library's online resources is limited to WTS students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
If you are experiencing problems with remote 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.
