In October 2008, the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) will celebrate Theological Libraries Month. The event highlights the vital role libraries play in theological education.

Librarians everywhere will understand our challenge,” says Dennis A. Norlin, ATLA executive director. “It’s a common belief that any day now online resources will replace the library or reduce the expenses. Neither is happening.”

Instead, like all library directors, those at theological libraries are being called upon to play a pivotal role. They must navigate today’s expensive balancing act of preserving and making accessible valuable resources.“The decisions theological librarians make about allocating budgets,  formats, technology, and preservation all have a direct impact on the teaching and research that takes place at their institutions,” says Norlin. “If anything, theological libraries are becoming more rather than less important to their institutions.”

Similarly, theological librarians increasingly serve as information brokers for their patrons. Whether on-site in the library building or remotely, via email and instant messaging, theological librarians save their patrons—faculty, staff, students, administrators and even alumni—time and frustration. By collaborating with each other as they have digitized their collections, theological libraries have multiplied exponentially the information resources they offer while continuing to provide expert guidance on how to navigate the newly available sources.

“We want to support our members’ efforts to let their patrons know their value and importance. Libraries and librarians are at their service, offering more than their patrons imagine,” says Barbara Kemmis, ATLA director of member services. “Some of our members may participate simply by posting the Theological Libraries Month logo on their library's website. Others will get even more actively involved, accessing the wealth of resources we are offering on a special section of our website to implement a wide range of activities.”

About ATLA

Established in 1946, the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is a professional association of more than 1,000 individual, institutional, and affiliate members providing programs, products, and services in support of theological and religious studies libraries and librarians. ATLA's ecumenical membership represents many religious traditions and denominations.  ATLA also provides access to the scholarly literature of religion and preserves it for future generations. For more information visit http://www.atla.com/

Press Contact: Barbara Kemmis, +1.312.454.5100

THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY MONTH CELEBRATES VITALITY IN FACE OF RUMORED OBSOLESCENCE

>In October 2008, the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) will celebrate its vitality with Theological Libraries Month. The event highlights the vital role Theological Libraries play at the Theological Institutions they serve.

“It’s a common belief that any day now, online resources will replace the library,” says Dennis A. Norlin, ATLA executive director. “It’s simply not happening.”

Instead, like all library directors, those at theological libraries are being called upon to play a pivotal role. They must navigate today’s expensive balancing act of preserving and making accessible valuable resources. “The decisions theological librarians make about allocating budgets, formats, technology, and preservation all have a direct impact on the teaching and research that takes place at their institutions,” says Norlin. “If anything, theological libraries are becoming more rather than less important to their institutions.”

Similarly, theological librarians increasingly serve as information brokers for their patrons. Whether on-site in the library building or remotely, via email and instant messaging, theological librarians save their patrons—faculty, staff, students, administrators and even alumni--frustration and time. By collaborating with each other as they have digitized their collections, theological libraries have multiplied exponentially the information resources they offer while continuing to provide expert guidance on how to navigate the newly available sources.

“We want to support our members’ efforts to let their patrons know their value and importance. Libraries and librarians are at their service, offering more than their patrons imagine,” says Barbara Kemmis, ATLA director of member services. “Some of our members may participate simply by posting the Theological Libraries Month logo on their library's website. Others will get even more actively involved, accessing the wealth of resources we are offering on a special section of our website to implement a wide range of activities.”

About ATLA

Established in 1946, the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is a professional association of more than 1,000 individual, institutional, and affiliate members providing programs, products, and services in support of theological and religious studies libraries and librarians. ATLA's ecumenical membership represents many religious traditions and denominations. ATLA also provides access to the scholarly literature of religion and preserves it for future generations. For more information visit http://www.atla.com/

Press Contact: Barbara Kemmis, +1.312.454.5100

[LIBRARY] CELEBRATES THEOLOGICAL LIBRARIES MONTH: DEMONSTRATES VITALITY IN FACE OF RUMORED OBSOLESCENCE

In October 2008, [LIBRARY] will sponsor several events in celebration of Theological Libraries Month.

“It’s a common belief that any day now, online resources will replace the library,” says Dennis A. Norlin, ATLA executive director. “It’s not happening. That’s why the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is launching this special month, to highlight the vital role libraries play at the institutions they serve.”

According to Norlin, theological libraries play a pivotal role in today’s expensive balancing act of preserving and making accessible valuable resources.

“The decisions theological library directors make about allocating budgets, about formats, technology, and preservation all have a direct impact on the teaching and research that takes place at their institutions,” says Norlin. “If anything, theological libraries are becoming more rather than less important to their institutions.”

Theological librarians also increasingly serve as information brokers for their patrons. Whether on-site in the library building or remotely, via email and instant messaging, theological librarians save their patrons—faculty, staff, students, administrators and even alumni—frustration and time. By collaborating with each other as they have digitized their collections, theological libraries have multiplied exponentially the information resources they offer while continuing to provide expert guidance on how to navigate the newly available sources.

“Far from being obsolete, theological libraries are at their patrons’ service, offering more than they imagine,” says Barbara Kemmis, ATLA director of member services.

As part of Theological Libraries Month, [LIBRARY] will be [fill in]

[The following two paragraphs can be replaced with similar paragraphs about the theological library issuing the release.]

contact names, location, hours, etc.

For information about Theological Libraries Month activities, please contact [etc.]

In a move some attribute to intense, perhaps illegally coercive, pressure from the University administration, [LIBRARY] has decided not to hold a book burning on campus to mark its participation in Theological Libraries Month this October.

“I got tired of people telling me the Internet is making libraries obsolete, that no one needs books any more,” said [name name], director of the [LIBRARY]. “Let’s call their bluff, I thought. Let’s see how they feel when we hold a book burning right in the middle of the Quad. We were even planning to hand out marshmallows.” >

Calmer heads have prevailed at [INSTITUTION.]

“I really don’t understand it,” says [SOME IMPORTANT FIGURE FROM THE INSTITUTION.] How could [name name] suggest such a thing? Book burning is not something to be taken lightly. Given its history, it’s an anathema, particularly at a theological institution. And what about the environmental impact of all that smoke?

Likewise, Barbara Kemmis, director of member services at the American Theological Library Association which is sponsoring Theological Libraries Month, expressed her bewilderment. “I just saw [name name] at our Annual Conference in Philadelphia,” she said. “She/He looked and sounded just fine.”

“We’re glad the crisis is past,” says a visibly shaken [IMPORTANT FIGURE AT INSTITUTION]. “I guess we’re all going to have to rethink our image of the theological librarian! Thank goodness we have a wonderful library staff who will carry out with all the plans for celebrating Theological Libraries Month on campus [link/URL].”

“By the way,” he added, “do you know of any other nearby bonfire where I can roast the bag of marshmallows I bought? I’d be willing to share.

[LIBRARY] PARTICIPATES IN THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY MONTH TO CELEBRATE VITALITY IN FACE OF RUMORED OBSOLESCENCE

In October 2008, [LIBRARY] will celebrate Theological Libraries Month.

“It’s a common belief that any day now, online resources will replace the library,” says [library director]. “It’s not happening here at [institution]; it’s not happening anywhere. That’s why the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) launched this special month, to highlight the vital role library services play in the life of [institution].”

At [library], we find ourselves being increasingly pivotal as crucial information brokers for our patrons. Whether on-site in the library building or remotely, via email and instant messaging, our theological librarians save our patrons—faculty, students, administrators and even alumni--frustration and time. We provide expert guidance you can’t find anywhere else on how to navigate the newly available sources which are multiplying exponentially every year.

“Far from being obsolete, theological libraries are at their patrons’ service, offering more than they imagine,” says Barbara Kemmis, ATLA director of member services.

As part of Theological Libraries Month, [LIBRARY] will be [fill in]

You are invited to [fill in]

Contact information: