The library serves an extensive community of users. The primary community includes the students, faculty, and staff of the institution. We are proud to include our alumni, retired and former faculty as members, and invite all religious professionals to use our collection and services. Membership is free of charge. Visitors are welcome. PTS is a non-residential campus so the spirit of service is one that understands the users may travel great distances in order to be on campus. The library is sensitive to the context of transactions between it and its community.

The library is staffed during all hours of operation. The primary responsibility of the library staff is to serve as an interface between the user and the user’s information needs.

Borrowing Materials

Most of the PTS library’s collection is available for check-out. Reference items and some A-V materials are for in-library use only. Generally, materials may be checked out for a period of four weeks. Items may be renewed as often as needed, unless someone else has placed a request. Faculty and staff have an extending borrowing period. The PTS library can also mail materials to students.

Alums of PTS and Phillips University, retired faculty, visitors, and Special Borrowers have privileges equal to those of students, with the exception of subscription databases, such as EBSCO databases, Credo Reference and Oxford Biblical Studies. The legal contracts for these products limit off-campus access to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff.  Other users may access these databases on campus and are welcome to do so.  PTS Alums may access ATLASerials for Alum. Contact the library for the userid and password.

Cell Phone Use

Out of consideration for fellow library users, we encourage phone calls to be taken in the commons area outside the library.

Computer Use

The desktop computers in the library are intended primarily for library research. During periods of lower traffic users are welcome to use the desktop computers for papers and personal correspondence. Five cents per page is collected for the purpose of paying for toner cartridges.

PTS provides wireless Internet access throughout the building for laptop computers brought in by users.

Copying/Printing

The library owns specialized photocopying and scanning equipment for paper and microformats. We offer point-of-use instruction. Five cents per page is collected for the purpose of paying for toner cartridges. The library staff cautions all users to be mindful of copyright law (US Code, Title 17).

Food & Beverages

Food and drink are allowed in all areas of the library except for the Rare Book Room. The library has  recycling containers for glass and recyclable plastic bottles.

Study Carrels/Quiet Spots

Conversation is viewed as integral to the seminary community. Researchers requiring silence may use the conference rooms, or may make other arrangements with library staff. Study carrels and conference rooms are available for brief and extended use. Plans for extended use of the conference rooms should be communicated to library staff in order to avoid possible conflicts.