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 Database, eBooks on EBSCO, and TREN (Theological Research Exchange Network).
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.
Students in the United States
Overseas/International Students
Faculty
Alumni
Guests
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:
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.
The IWS Library offers a self-paced course on Canvas for current IWS students. This course covers all of the essentials for navigating scholarly information, understanding the workings of the IWS Library, and accessing online library services.
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.
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.
Explore theses written by our IWS doctoral students. Digital copies are available to IWS students, staff, faculty, and alumni through the library catalog.
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.
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.
Local: 904-264-2172, Option 6
Toll-free (USA & Canada): 1-800-282-2977, Option 6
Email the library directly at library@iws.edu
IWS Library
4446-1a Hendricks Ave., Suite 395
Jacksonville, FL 32207
IWS Library
4001 Hendricks Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207
The library is open by appointment only.