Library Policies

Library Information

The John Bulow Campbell Library is open to the public and is an integral part of the educational program of Columbia Theological Seminary, a private, educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Visitors are welcome to use the study spaces, computers, and collection. However, during times of very high use by Columbia students, visitor services and access may be limited.

Study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Again, during times of high use by Columbia students, visitor access to study rooms may be limited.

The computers in the library are for use by Columbia Theological Seminary students, faculty, staff, and special guests of the Seminary. Library visitors may use computers for library applications, but for limited periods of time. Visitors are expected to meet most of their computer needs at their home academic library or at a public library.

Printing, scanning and photocopying are available in the library. Scanning is free. Printing and photocopying is $.05 per page/side.

Visitors may inquire about obtaining a library card to borrow library resources. There are two categories of library patrons who may borrow library resources. Circulation policies apply to both categories of users.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult while in the building, including in the Griffith Children’s Library.

Patrons

The John Bulow Campbell Library is open to the public and is an integral part of the educational program of Columbia Theological Seminary, a private, educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) There are two categories of library users who may use the John Bulow Campbell Library.

Current students, faculty, and staff

Columbia Theological Seminary students, faculty, staff, are automatically enrolled as library patrons. Cross-registered students are considered students for the semester that they are enrolled at Columbia Seminary. These library users are offered full use of the library materials and services, but are asked to use discretion in the number of items checked out in any given subject.

Community Patrons

Community Patron Applications for Library Privileges will be reviewed by the library director. The applicant will be notified by email if the application is approved. There is no annual user fee, there is a six item check out limit, and Community patrons may not use interlibrary loan. A borrower’s library privileges may be terminated at the discretion of the Library Director for violation of policies, disruptive behavior, or any activity deemed detrimental to the library or our primary users.

Community patrons are:

• CTS alumni.
• Immediate family members of current students, facaulty, and staff.
• Residents of the city of Decatur (30030 zip code only).
• Atlanta Theological Association (ATA) and Atlanta Regional Consortium Higher Education (ARCHE) students, faculty, and staff with a valid interlibrary use card and institutional identification.
• Ministerial members of the PCUSA.
• Members of PCUSA congregations in the Tri-Presbyteries (Greater Atlanta, Cherokee and Northeast Georgia Presbyteries).
• Ministers and chaplains serving congregations or institutions in the greater Atlanta area* except those enrolled in a non-ATA or non-ARCHE academic degree program.

*Greater Atlanta is defined as the 10 counties in the Atlanta Regional Commission: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale.

Circulation Policies

Circulating books for all basic degree students and Community patrons are due four weeks after the date of check-out. If the due date falls on a day the Library is closed the next open date is used. At check-out the date due slip in the back of the book is stamped with the appropriate due date. Circulating books may be renewed up to two times, unless single-copy items have been requested by another user. Phone renewals are acceptable during the Library’s open hours. Overdue fines for books are $.25 per day per book. For lost books, patrons are charged $75.00, plus a $25.00 processing fee.*

DVDs may be checked-out for 7 days and may not be renewed.  Overdue fines are $1.00 per day for DVDs. The fee for a lost item is $75.00, plus a $25.00 processing fee.*

Periodicals, Reference items, and Special Collections materials may not be checked-out of the Library building.

Borrowing privileges may be suspended when one of the following occurs: 1) more than $10.00 is owed to the Library in fines or fees; 2) items checked out to the patron are overdue; 3) the number of items checked-out has exceeded the person’s limit; and 4) abuse of ILU privileges have been reported to the JBCL.

*Charges over $10.00 may be paid via credit card between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.