Policies

Table of Contents

Circulation Policies

Students in the United States

  • Students may check out up to 15 books at a time, due at the end of each semester (November 1 or May 1).
  • One 4-week renewal of books is allowed by sending a request to library@iws.edu.
  • Students may place a request through the online catalog.
  • Books must be returned by mail or other shipping method with a tracking option, postmarked by the due date.

Overseas/International Students

  • Students may check out up to 15 books at a time while on-site.
  • Books must be returned during the next on-site 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 (limited to 20% of the text by U.S. copyright law).

Faculty

  • Faculty may check out up to 15 books at a time, due at the end of each semester (November 1 or May 1).
  • Three 4-week renewals are allowed by sending a request to library@iws.edu.
  • place a request through the online catalog.
  • Books must be returned by mail or other shipping method with a tracking option, postmarked by the due date, or if renewed, at the next on-site session.

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 Handbook

The Library Handbook has been revised as of the January 2023 session. Download the latest copy here.

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