Skip to Main Content

Western Theological Seminary

Cook Library

  1. Western Theological Seminary
  2. Cook Library
  3. Information
  4. Library Services
  5. WTS Faculty

Library Services / WTS Faculty

  • Cook Library Home
  • WTS Resident Students
  • WTS Distance Learning
  • WTS DMin Students
  • WTS Faculty
  • Guest Borrowers
  • Borrowing Policies
  • Alumni Services
  • Reference / Research Assistance
  • Reserve-A-Room
  • Scan/Print/Copy

Email a Librarian

Today's Hours:

All Hours

Digital Repository @ WTS
A digital archive of Western Theological Seminary's history.

Purchase a Book for Cook Library
Be certain you select "Wish List Acquisitions' Gift Registry Address"

Font Size

Search Box - English

  • Search Anything
  • Journals
  • Atla Databases
  • Digital Collections @ WTS
  • All Databases

Search



Go to Primo
Advanced Search
Citation Finder

Search for

Atla Databases
Limit Your Results

Go to Atla Religion Database with AtlaSerials Plus

General Faculty InformationInformación General para el Profesorado

Library Instruction for Classes

The library staff encourages the opportunity to offer research instruction either in the classroom or in the library. Please contact Steve Michaels, Interim Director of the Cook Library, for information.

Toolkits

On the library website are Subject Guides ("toolkits") that offer resources by topic and can be very helpful to your students in their research. We welcome your input as well regarding websites and materials that you think would be helpful to include in the toolkits.

Borrowing Policies

Please refer to the Borrowing Policies section of the website.

Renewing Materials

Materials can be renewed two times, unless another library user has put a hold on them. Go to Renewing Online, or follow the link in the courtesy email. Materials can also be renewed at the Circulation Desk.

My Account

My Account offers several options that can enhance your use of library resources.

Interlibrary Loan Policies

Books and articles not found in Cook’s or VanWylen’s collections may be requested by interlibrary loan. Contact The Circulation Supervisor, Circulation Supervisor, with any questions you may have.

  • Links to request forms are found in both WorldCat and ATLA (EbscoHost)
  • If more than $5 in additional charges would be incurred for a request, you will be informed of the amount and asked if you would like to proceed with the request.
  • One renewal , if approved by lending library, is allowed per item.
  • Requests for A/V materials, e.g. CD’s, DVD’s, tapes, micro fiche/film, and books less than 6 months old or older than 100 years are discouraged. Since Cook Library does not lend such items, by ILL code of ethics we should not request what we do not lend.
Reserve Guidelines
  • Copyright Parameters
    • Under copyright guidelines reserve items are materials that are recommended for students to read or utilize for a specific course.
    • Reserve items may not consist of required readings. Required materials must either be purchased as textbooks or mounted on Canvas and appropriate copyright fees paid.
  • Check-Out Options
    • The circulation period most common for reserves at Western is 4-hours in-house, which means patrons may use the material for 4 hours in the library only.
    • If you do not designate otherwise this will be the time period used. Your other options are an overnight or a 3-5 day reserve.
  • Process
    • Approximately two months prior to the beginning of the course you as faculty members will be contacted regarding the titles to put on reserve at the library.
    • You are asked for the following information. A form can be found in Canvas:
      • Your name and class information (course number and name)
      • At minimum, the title, author and publication date for each item. Additional information (call number, journal title, publication information, ISBN etc.) will ensure accuracy and make for an efficient search of your material.
    • The Circulation staff will pull the materials indicated. If the library does not own a requested item, these options are possible:
      • Use a personal copy of the item. A barcode will be placed in the front cover of the item and may show wear after use by multiple patrons
      • Request the item be purchased for the library. This is a good option if the material will be used for a course in the future.
      • Borrow the item from Hope College, if it is owned by them. VanWylen Library is often willing to allow a one-time reserve use.
Scanning/Printing/Photocopying

Scanning, printing and photocopying of materials for courses and research are available on the first floor of the library at no cost to WTS faculty. Please inquire at the Circulation Desk.

Linked ("Proxy") accounts

The accounts of students who are working as research assistants can be linked to yours. This enables them to check books out on your account, offering:

  • the advantage of your 90-day checkout period
  • a larger quantity of books than a student account allows
  • books become your responsibility

The linkage is valid for the academic year. Please contact The Circulation Supervisor, Circulation Supervisor, to initiate a linked account.

Requesting Materials for Purchase

Please use the "Purchase request" function in Primo.  Materials that do not have a "Purchase request" link are already in the Cook library collection.

You may also submit purchase requests via email to the Library Director or by using the provided Google Form.

Access to databases & e-resources
  • Online (login using your G-Suite login)
  • Online through courses in Canvas
  • In the library using the library computers
Internet Links

Internet links to Cook Library Electronic Resources need special treatment before being posted to Canvas. Please see this page for more information.

Faculty Publications

Cook Library seeks to maintain copies of books published by faculty while on staff at Western. Donation of publications are appreciated.

  • First copy is put into circulation
  • Second copy is held in Special Collections

Journal Titles available via Document Delivery

  • Cover ArtBiblical interpretation
    ISSN: 1568-5152
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtHeythrop journal
    ISSN: 1468-2265
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtInternational journal of practical theology
    ISSN: 1612-9768
    Available from 2022 volume: 26 issue: 1.
    Most recent 24 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtInternational journal of systematic theology
    ISSN: 1468-2400
    Available from 2021 volume: 23 issue: 1.
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtJournal for the study of the historical Jesus
    ISSN: 1745-5197
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtJournal of early modern christianity
    ISSN: 2196-6656
    Available from 2022 volume: 9 issue: 1.
    Most recent 24 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtJournal of religion in Africa
    ISSN: 1570-0666
    Available from 2021 volume: 51 issue: 1.
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtJournal of religious ethics
    ISSN: 1467-9795
    Available from 2022 volume: 50 issue: 1.
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtJournal of religious history
    ISSN: 1467-9809
    Most recent 18 month(s) available
  • Cover ArtJournal of the Bible and its reception
    ISSN: 2329-440X
    Available from 2022 volume: 9 issue: 1.
    Most recent 24 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtModern theology
    ISSN: 1468-0025
    Available from 2021 volume: 37 issue: 1.
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtMuslim world
    ISSN: 1478-1913
    Available from 2022 volume: 112 issue: 1.
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtNovum Testamentum
    ISSN: 1568-5365
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtReligion & theology
    ISSN: 1574-3012
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtReligious studies review
    ISSN: 1748-0922
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtVetus Testamentum
    ISSN: 1568-5330
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtVigiliae Christianae
    ISSN: 1570-0720
    Most recent 36 month(s) available.
  • Cover ArtZygon
    ISSN: 1467-9744
    Most recent 18 month(s) available.
  • << Previous: WTS DMin Students
  • Next: Guest Borrowers >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 23, 2023 8:59 AM
  • URL: https://guides.westernsem.edu/services
  • Print Page
Admin login
Report a problem

Cook Library supports the mission of Western Theological Seminary by being the center for access to biblical, theological, and ministry information resources for students, faculty, and alumni of Western Theological Seminary and the West Michigan community.

Contact Us
Toll-free: 800.392.8554

Discover

  • Cook Library
  • Cook Library Digital Archive
  • Van Wylen Library
  • Herrick District Library
  • Explore Holland

Engage

  • Worship
  • Give
  • Community

Resources

  • Schedule Reference Help
  • Reserve a Library Space
  • Academic Calendar
  • Title IX Resources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Emergency Procedures

Get Connected

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube
×