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SPARKED BY NEW TECHNOLOGY,
SAIACS LIBRARY LEAPS FORWARD
The Library is the powerhouse of any theological institution. It is the source of information, energy and analysis that must go into teaching, research and writing.
SAIACS Library, housed in its architect-designed building between the Chapel and the classroom blocks is well on its way to becoming such a powerhouse. Enter the spacious foyer and you see the helpful library assistants at work at the counter. You note the newspaper section on the ground floor, journals and periodicals at one end of the first floor, stacks upon stacks of books, the workroom and computers (9 computers with 24/7 Internet Connectivity) in the basement and the rest. There is also more good news for those with personal laptops as the Library provides WIFI connection, which helps the researchers to have wireless access to the network printers and Internet connectivity.
SAIACS Library is continually upgrading to meet the needs of students and faculty. With his specialist training in digital library management systems, Mr. Yesan, (B.Com, MLiSc, PGLAN) the chief Librarian, plays a key role in taking SAIACS Library forward into the digital age. Mr. Prasad Rao, (BA, MLiSc), the Assistant Librarian, handles the circulation and classification and cataloguing of books. Vijay Balu helps in photocopying and Xerox duties. Credit is also due to the temporary staff, Jayanthi, Boishe, and Vidya who maintain the smooth functioning of the library.
Harrison Chinnakumar (PhD candidate), remarks, “The books and the magazines are available in the right place due to the prompt work of the staff who re-shelve them on the stack without delay.”
Mr. Yesan is setting up a Digital Library Center to offer online access to full text scholarly information for researchers over the network with necessary licensing agreements. This is perhaps first of its kind in Indian theological institutions.”
The Library already provides access to a variety of online resources, such as: American Theological Library Association Serials (ATLAS), Research in Ministry: An Index to Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Missiology Project Reports and Theses Online (RIM) and Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN).
When
students were asked to comment on the Library, most agreed that ample
resources are available for Missions studies, Biblical Studies, Christian
Theology, Pastoral Theology, Counseling and Religions Department, both
online and in print.
Niu, a doctoral student in the Pastoral Ministry Department says, “I get all the necessary books for my assignments in SAIACS itself, and so I don’t have to go to other libraries. Of course, it may be different when I start working on my thesis.”
Charles Christian (MTh I year) is particularly impressed by the facilities available at the library. He says, “ Unique facilities like the ATLAS, which gives access to 75 full text theological and religious journals, and WEBSLIM, make it easy to browse the books and journals on any given topic. Information on the Internet is easily accessible.”
Students and faculty have the additional resource of SAIACS Library’s membership of the Joint Library Committee, a consortium of 20 theological libraries in Bangalore.
To sum, the SAIACS Library now houses over 35,000 books and a range of 250 journals from India and overseas, 5000 bound journals, 150 Microfilms, 400 Microfiches and 100 plus CDROM databases, while the archives section contains the printed dissertations, and theses of students, and faculty and some old and rare books.
The resources of the Library have grown impressively by
pulling together as much print and electronic material as possible. SAIACS
Library is taking a direct and indirect interest in the learning outcome
of all students, while fostering independent learning. The Library holds
a high place, both within the campus and in the minds of the Community.
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