Library

About the IWS Library

The library collection is comprised of over 10,000 books focusing on Christian worship and liturgy. Several thousand of these books belonged to Robert Webber and were generously donated by his widow, Joanne, following his death. Most of the collection can be checked out, including many of Dr. Webber’s books. All items marked Reference or Webber are non-circulating and may be used in the IWS library only.

The IWS library provides access to several online subscription resources, including the ATLA+ Serials DatabaseeBooks on EBSCO, and TREN (Theological Research Exchange Network).

Shelving System

Most of the materials in the Library are shelved according to the Library of Congress Classification System. You can get an overview of how to find materials with the LC system here. The online catalog lists all available copies and their shelving location. Library staff are happy to assist you in locating materials. Theses written by IWS students are shelved by last name and are available for use in the library.

Library Map

Take a virtual, self-guided tour of the IWS Library here.

Library Staff

Jennifer NicholsonInterim Librarian, earned her MWS degree from IWS and is working on her Master of Library Science degree. Contact Jennifer for research assistance and help using IWS library resources.

Circulation Policies

Students in the United States

  • Students may check out up to 15 books at a time.
  • Books must be returned the first day of the next on campus intensive session. If a student is on the extended track, they will return their books at their next on-campus intensive session.
  • Students may check out books while on campus or may place a request through the online catalog while off-site to have books mailed to them.
  • Books can optionally be returned by mail or other shipping method with a tracking option, postmarked by the due date.

Overseas/International Students

  • International students may check out up to 15 books at a time while on campus.
  • Books must be returned the first day of the next on campus intensive session. If a student is on the extended track, they will return their books at their next on-campus intensive session.
  • The library does not mail IWS library books overseas but will assist international students in locating resources to support their studies.
  • The library may copy portions of books to mail to international students in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Faculty

  • Faculty may check out up to 15 books at a time.
  • Books must be returned the first day of the next on-campus intensive session.
  • Faculty may check out books while on campus or may place a request through the online catalog while off-site to have books mailed to them.
  • Books can optionally be returned by mail or other shipping method with a tracking option, postmarked by the due date.

Alumni

  • Alumni may check out circulating books under the same circulation policies as for current Students in the United States or Overseas/International Students.
  • Please note that alumni access to Atla RDB & Atlas PLUS and eBooks on EBSCOhost through IWS is not offered at this time.

Guests

  • Guests from libraries with cooperative or reciprocal borrowing agreements with IWS (e.g. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Jacksonville; ACL Reciprocal Borrowing Program; ATLA Reciprocal Borrowing Program) may check out up to 10 books for 4 weeks. To register with the IWS Library, guests must provide a photo ID showing their home address along with proof of affiliation with a participating library such as a current student ID. The library is open to guests by appointment.
  • Two 4-week renewals are allowed by sending a request to library@iws.edu.

Lost books will be billed at the cost of replacement plus an administrative processing fee of $10.00.

Hours

The Library collection may be browsed any time the IWS office is open. Regular IWS office hours are from 10-4 Monday-Friday. Visitors are advised to call (904-264-2172) or email ahead of time for an appointment before traveling to the library to make sure the office will be open.

During the on-campus sessions, the library is staffed during posted hours.

Library Collection Development Policy

The IWS Library welcomes the donation of resources that contribute to and support the curricular activities of the IWS community. The Institute for Worship Studies also gladly accepts donations of funds designated for the library. All donations of materials or funds to the IWS library will be acknowledged with a letter of receipt for tax purposes. For more information about how the library acquires materials, please see the Library Collection Development Policy.

Acquisition Requests

The IWS Library gladly accepts recommendations for the acquisition of monographs, databases, periodicals and other materials. Specific information is needed to identify an item. Please provide the IWS library with the following information by email:

  • Title, author, edition
  • Format (book, ebook, video, CD, etc.)
  • Publisher and date
  • ISBN if available

IWS Library Advisory Committee

The Library Advisory Committee is composed of IWS stakeholders who provide input on library planning and procedural changes. The committee assists the Library Director in gaining feedback related to these matters. For more information about how the committee functions, please see the Role, Scope, and Membership of the IWS Library Advisory Committee.

Atla RDB & Atlas PLUS

About Atla

Atla Religion Database® (Atla RDB®) – Containing 1.6 million+ records, the Atla Religion Database is the premier index to journal articles, book reviews, and collections of essays in all fields of religion.

AtlaSerials PLUS® (Atlas PLUS®) includes more than 540+ full-text journals in many diverse areas of religion and theology, with full-text content in more than 971,000 articles in over 20 languages. Atlas PLUS includes all of the titles in Atla’s original full-text product AtlaSerials® (Atlas®) plus over 180 additional full-text titles.

Help Documents

Tutorials on Atla Databases

eBooks on EBSCO

Additional Resources & Information

Additional Resources

This page lists free websites and open access (OA) resources available online to aid current IWS students in their research and studies on worship-related topics.

Library Tutorials and Help

These FAQs contain answers to the questions most commonly asked by IWS students regarding library services. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email the library staff.

Special Collections

The IWS Library Special Collections feature a broad range of publishers and denominations, with books and hymnals related to Christian worship from the 20th century. 

Library Partners

A library partnership is defined as a collaboration that results in an exchange of services, use of facilities, a newly-created service or event, or other transactions between the Library and another entity.

Contact Library Staff

Phone

Local: 904-264-2172, Option 6
Toll-free (USA & Canada): 1-800-282-2977, Option 6

Email

Email the library directly at library@iws.edu

Interim Librarian: Jennifer Nicholson

Mail Materials to the Library

IWS Library
4446-1a Hendricks Ave., Suite 395
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Visit the Library

IWS Library
4001 Hendricks Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207