Answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the PRTS Library

BOOKS

1. How do I find specific books?
   • To access the library catalog online, click on "Find Books" under Library, or go directly here. 
   • Select from the menu if you want to search by "Keyword," "Title," Author," "Subject," or "ISBN"
   • Enter your search term; then, If you only want to search the PRTS Library, select "PRTS." (If you leave it as "View Entire Collection," it will also search Cornerstone University Library).
   • When your book (or list of books) comes up as "Available," write down the CALL NUMBER--this will tell you where it is located in the PRTS (or Cornerstone) Library.
   • By clicking on the title (in blue) you can find out more about the book.
2. How do I check out books from the library? From Cornerstone University's library?
   
   Once you find the book in the online catalog, you can locate it by the Call Number on the library shelves (see FAQ #5). See instructions at the library circulation desk for detailed checkout policy & procedures.
   Checking out books from Cornerstone's Library requires your PRTS ID number. Once you find your books on their shelves, bring them to the front desk and someone will assist you.
   If you are not a PRTS student or staff, you will need to apply for a Guest card from the individual library, whether Cornerstone or PRTS.
3. When are my books due? Can I renew them?
   
   Most books are due in 4 weeks. You can renew most books for an additional 4 weeks by going online with your PRTS ID number ("My Library Account" link on the catalog home page).
   The same checkout period and renewal process works at both PRTS and CU Libraries.
4. What may NOT be checked out of the library?
   
   You may not check out Reference books (shelved in the Reference section), certain books on Course Reserve, Periodicals or Journals, or antiquarian books.
   Guest borrowers may have additional restrictions (see the Guest Policy)
.
5. How are books arranged in the PRTS Library?
   
   • Both PRTS and CU Libraries are organized by Library of Congress Subjects and Call Numbers. For example, most of our Bible commentaries will be shelved together in the BS471--BS2825 range, in order of the books of the Bible. (Genesis: BS1235-- to Revelation: BS2825.)
     
   • At PRTS only, books by or about the Puritans are housed in the PRC (see FAQ #9). Secondary source works about the Puritans are shelved by LC Call Number, but books by the Puritans themselves (Primary Sources) are shelved in alphabetic order by Puritan author last names.
6. How do I find books by the old "JRB" number system?
   
   These numbers were assigned in PRTS Library's previous system (not at CU Library, however). They were retained in our new online catalog to enable searches by the JRB number, using the "ISBN" search. If you know the JRB number, for example, you can retrieve the book name and record by accessing the "Box.net" Master Text Index, utilizing an ISBN search.
   Need help with this? Ask our Library staff or submit an "Ask a Librarian" request.
7. What are "course reserve books"?
   
   Books restricted for limited class access are shelved separately in PRTS (and CU) Library--some are restricted to in-library use, or to a 2-7 day checkout in order to make them available to all students in the course.
8. How many books does the library own?
   
   We'll soon know the exact answer to this question, once our major cataloging project is complete and an inventory conducted. Right now, we estimate the number as 60,000 volumes (perhaps 40,000 separate titles).
9. What is the PRC? How is it unique?
   
   Click here for a complete description of the Puritan Resource Center.
10. What "treasures" or particularly rare books does the library own? What is the oldest book in our collection?
    
    PRTS Library has hundreds of rare books, depending on one's definition of 'rare.' Most of these are part of its PRC collection. Many date back to the late 16th century, such as John Knox's (1560) An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations written by an Anabaptist.... A few other gems include: William Attersoll's (1610) Continuation of the Exposition of the Book of Numbers, of the History of Balak...; and Niels Hemmingsen's (1569) Exposition of the Gospels...; and John Downame's (1609) The Christian Warfare.
    One rare title of particular interest for its provenance is the 3-volume Works of William Perkins, printed in 1626. This set was owned by Charles Spurgeon, and passed on to another great expositor, Arthur Pink, whose numerous handwritten notes appear in the margins of all three volumes.

SERVICES

11. What are PRTS Library Hours?
    PRTS Library is generally open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. Usually, the library is also open Monday through Wednesday evenings until 8:00 pm, and frequently on Saturday mornings; however, on these latter, irregular hours, it is highly advisable to call ahead (977-1599 ext.129). (PRTS students and staff have extended access hours.)
12. Who may use the PRTS library? How do I get a library card?
    
    Everyone is welcome to visit PRTS Library during its regular hours (see question 11). Guests from Cornerstone University have borrowing privileges much the same as at Cornerstone's Library. Other guests may apply for a Guest Borrower's card. (Some borrowing restrictions apply, and an annual $10 fee is required.) For more information about guest borrowing, click here.
13. What services does the library provide?
    
    Assistance from Library staff is readily available for finding and checking out books.
    
    • Since we are short-staffed, any special assistance finding books that are not in PRTS library or finding journal articles should be directed to our Theological Librarian by email or by using the online "Ask-a-Librarian" form.
      
    • InterLibrary Loan is a service available (only) to PRTS' currently registered students or staff (The same is true at CU Library--restricted to registered CU students/staff). Sorry, but alumni and guests are unable to borrow by ILL (due to license restrictions).
      For a full explanation of ILL Policies & Procedures, please request a "Student's Guide to the Library" at the circulation counter.
14. What library services/books are available for distance education students?
    
    PRTS students in the USA and Canada currently registered as distance education students are able to borrow books from PRTS Library and to have them mailed to their home. They are responsible for return postage and must observe the usual loan periods (4 weeks from receipt of books, though they may also renew books online.)
    Interlibrary Loan requests are often more efficient when processed through the distance education student's local library--though we are happy to provide research assistance in finding books and articles as requested.
15. How do I use InterLibrary Loan to obtain books or journal articles?
    
    InterLibrary Loan is a service available (only) to PRTS currently registered students or staff (The same is true at CU Library--restricted to registered CU students/staff.) Sorry, but alumni and guests are unable to borrow by ILL (due to license restrictions).
    
    • For a full explanation of ILL Policies & Procedures, please see the "Student's Guide to the Library," available at the circulation counter. For more information on ILL and journal articles, please click here.

JOURNALS & ARTICLES

16. How do I find journal articles online?
    • Many of our journals are indexed in the FirstSearch database, especially in the ATLA-Religion collection, where many theology/ministry-related articles are also available 'full-text online.' This is a licensed database restricted to our currently registered students and staff, and must be accessed by password. If you are PRTS students, call or email Library staff for access information.
    • There are certain "open-access" journals that provide free access to articles in theology, religion, and ministry. See our "Research Guides" page for suggested open-access journals.
17. To what journals does our library subscribe?
    
    PRTS Library subscribes to about 100 periodicals, and has back files of several decades for many journals. Using our ATLA-Religion database, students have access to over 120 full-text journals in Bible, theology, and religion.
18. How do I know where to find or search a specific journal?
    
    Many of our journals are indexed in the FirstSearch database, especially in the ATLA-Religion collection, where many theology/ministry-related articles are also available 'full-text online.' This is a licensed database restricted to our currently registered students and staff, and must be accessed by password. If you are PRTS students, call or email Library staff for access information.
    There are certain "open-access" journals that provide free access to articles in theology, religion, and ministry. See our Library link to Internet Journals on Christianity  page for suggested open-access journals.

INTERNET & DATABASES

19. What internet and computer access is provided in the library?
    PRTS Library has several individual carrels with network ports and electric outlets for laptop computers; wireless access to the network is also available. There are two public access computers with Internet access for student and guest use.
20. What online databases are available to PRTS students?
    
    • Access to the FirstSearch database (including WorldCat and ATLA-Religion, and other collections) is available to current PRTS students by password. (Contact Library staff for authorization.)
      
    • For information on the RefWorks bibliography-builder program, see questions 21.
21. What is "Ref-Works" and how do I use it?
    
    RefWorks is a bibliographic management system available by PRTS online subscription; it enables one to create Turabian style bibliographies, and to export a list of citations from any Firstsearch database directly to one's bibliography. For a full description and demo, click here. To use this excellent tool, PRTS students need to login using the PRTS group code (call Library for authorization).

POLICIES & PROCEDURES--

22. What if I lose or damage a library book?
    If a book is lost or damaged, you may be charged a replacement fee--this includes not only the cost of replacing the book (closest edition available), but a processing fee to find and re-catalog the new book, and prepare if for the shelf. If such a fee is placed, your library account may be blocked until paid in full. In the case where books are "lost," but later found and returned to PRTS Library, the replacement cost will be waived or refunded, and a late fee will be assessed instead.
23. Are there late fees or other charges assessed?
    
    Books that are not returned by the due date are considered overdue. A courtesy reminder will be sent to the borrower's email address three days prior to when an item is due. An overdue notice will be emailed to the patron three days after the item is due. The patron's borrowing privileges are blocked at this time. If the item is still not returned within 11 more days, (14 total) a replacement bill is sent. This will include a $40 default cost for any item, a $30 processing fee, and a $5 billing fee, for a total of $75. If the material is later returned, the charges would be removed except for the $5 billing fee, per item.