Library Services
A guide to the facilities available to users of Sarum College Library.
The Collection
The library, located in three rooms, consists of books; journals and newspapers; a music resource; photocopying, word processing and internet facilities as well as space to study.
We are an academic resource aiming to support the College courses, local clergy and anyone with an interest in theology.
Bookstock
The library has a collection of nearly 40,000 books, arranged in Dewey Decimal order. The main library houses books in the first half of the Dewey sequence. The rest of the books are in library rooms 2 and 3. Our stock includes the areas of philosophy, psychology, theology, ethics, spirituality, liturgy, comparative religions and sociology. We also have a large 'stack' of historical books, journals, sermons and pamphlets - please ask for access.
Joining the library
Students of Sarum and STETS are entitled to use all the library's facilities during the length of your course. You will be issued with a membership card. Please ask if you have not yet received one. Bring it with you each time you wish to borrow books.
External members may pay the current subscription to use the library for reference and study to join as borrowing members.
College visitors may become temporary members at reduced rates of £5 per day or £10 per week. Please bring some identification with you and fill out a form.
Using the library
If you are unable to visit regularly, we can post books to you.
We are happy to see our readers in person, but also to receive requests for books or information by post, phone (24hr. voicemail), fax. or e-mail.
Catalogues
The library’s stock is on the computer catalogue, which is easy to use by typing in an author’s surname, a title or a keyword. Ask the staff to show you how it works.
There is also a two-drawer metal subject index, which is useful for finding the Dewey numbers for subject areas.
Finding your way around
There is a plan of the layout of the three rooms in the main library. There are class numbers on the end of the bays. Please ask if you need further help.
Borrowing
Up to 10 books may be borrowed at any one time, for up to eight weeks. Books are self-issued using your library card. Staff will show you how it works.
Remember to bring your library card with you every time you need to borrow a book. Please return all books as soon as you have finished with them, or if you are asked to do so. Books may be renewed up to three times 'unseen' by phone, post or email. Books may be returned by post. Reminders for overdue books are sent out at intervals. If you would like to access your library record from the website, please ask for a PIN.
Journals
As well as books, the library subscribes to about 50 journals. These are available for use in the library only, but one article from any one issue may be photocopied. Current copies are displayed on a rack in the main library. Recent back copies of these are shelved nearby. Please ask if you would like to see older copies or 'closed runs' of journals.
The list of current journals can also be seen on the library homepage of the College website. Some of these are available electronically - please ask for a username and password if you are a Sarum or STETS student.
All the current journals titles are on the catalogue, and the closed runs are being added, so if you are looking for a particular title, try the catalogue.
Room 2 has a newspaper stand with the ‘Catholic Herald’, ‘Baptist Times’, ‘Church Times’, ‘Church of England News’ ‘The Tablet’ and the ‘Methodist Recorder’ as well as other newsletters. Recent back copies of these are available upon request.
Indexes to journal literature
The ATLA religion database on CD ROM indexes articles and book reviews for publications between covering a 10-year period. This is also available online for some Sarum students.
The British Library’s database BL Direct, accessed via the internet, indexes 20,000 of the British Library’s vast collection of journals.
Please ask if you would like to use these resources to help with your research.
Special Collections
The library has a number of special collections, including a Christian Socialist Archive, supported by the Christian Socialist Movement; the archive of the Jubilee Trust; Michael Vasey's Liturgical Archive and a collection of local history, all of which may be viewed by appointment.
Music Resource
The library has a collection of sheet music, books and CDs, which together with a CD player and keyboard make up the Church Music Resource .
Reserving a book or a journal article
If the book you require is on loan, please complete a request form and library staff will recall it for you. Books not in stock or photocopies of articles from journals not held at Sarum College Library can be obtained from other libraries. There is a charge for this service.
Student booklists
You will find some of the books from your booklists on special reserve shelves near the reference section in the main library. Some of these are one or two week loans, to enable as many students as possible to use these in-demand books.
Finding information
Library staff are happy to help you to find the information you need. Please fill in an information form if the library is unattended, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Other resources
Photocopier
The library has a photocopier at the far end of the main library, and A4 copies may be made at a cost of 10p per A4 or 20p per A3 sheet. Please pay library staff or leave money with a note if library is unattended.
Internet access
A computer terminal located on the main floor may be used for word processing or for internet access (charged by the hour). Wi Fi access is freely available for library members in any of the library rooms. Please ask for the password.
Website
As well as the library catalogue and list of journals, the website www.sarum.ac.uk/library has lots of other useful information and pointers
The Internet Theologian is a web-based tutorial, part of the Resource Discovery Network Virtual Training Suite, to introduce you to some of the key websites for theology as well as helping you to assess information found on the web. It includes a glossary of internet terms, quizzes and lots of helpful information.
The Internet Theologian can be accessed by clicking on links on the library homepage of the College Website, or by going directly to http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/tutorial/theology
You will find other useful resources on the library homepage under links, including Intute – websites on religion and related subjects, which is a subject listing of evaluated websites under headings such as New Testament and Ethics. If you are a STETS student, you will find links to websites to support your current module under Intute – STETS portal.
Check the Calendar to see which evenings the library is open, as these vary depending on which students are in College.Also keep an eye on the BLOG to keep up-to-date with library news, new websites, internet search tips etc. Add your own comments and please let us know shat you think of these resources!
Other things to know
Library rooms 2 and 3 are pleasant and quiet spaces for study.
A coffee machine is located close to the library on the ground floor of the college. (Please don’t take food or drink into the library rooms).
Lunch may be taken in the refectory – please book in before 10am. via the library or the Hospitality team (01722 424800).
If you have far to travel, you may wish to enquire about accommodation at Sarum.
Opening hours
Mon. – Fri. 9am – 5pm.
During term time the library is also open every other Friday to 6.30pm. and every Tuesday to 7pm. and infrequently on other evenings. Check the Calendar on the website or phone before you plan your evening visit.
The library is open for study but unstaffed 1 – 2pm.
Students may have 24-hour access during residential courses.
And finally...
Keep an eye on the library homepage of the College website, www.sarum.ac.uk/library, for news, holiday closing times, lists of new books added to stock, electronic journals and links to lots of other useful sites.
Volunteers to tidy the shelves are always welcome – speak to the librarian.
If you have any comments about the library or the website, please email us.