Using the Library

In an abundance of caution in light of the spread of COVID-19, and to safeguard the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guest researchers, the McMillan library, the library’s temporary space in the McMillan Building, will be closed until further notice.

Members of the library staff will continue to be available to assist you via e-mail, but access to the building, and to our circulating collection, will be restricted. 

Click here for library hours

Click here for driving directions and campus map

Effective January 6, 2020, Austin Seminary library services can be found in the basement level of the McMillan classroom building (building #2 on the campus map).

Parking: You may park in any visitor space on campus and get a parking pass from the circulation desk.

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
100 E. 27th Street
Austin, Texas 78705
https://goo.gl/maps/schkGgHbHAELRtf37 

The library is open to all users from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To ensure a safe learning environment, access to the building is restricted to the following persons after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends:

• Current students, faculty, and staff of:
  • Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
  • Seminary of the Southwest
  • Austin Graduate School of Theology
  • The University of Texas
• Persons who have obtained written permission from the library director

To gain entry to the McMillan Building after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, those who are allowed access should proceed to the entrance on the north side of the building and call the circulation desk: 512-404-4879.

• Patrons using Stitt Library after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends are required to present their Austin Seminary, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin Graduate School of Theology, or UT ID card and to sign a log-in sheet. 
• Anyone who is not an Austin Seminary, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin Graduate School of Theology,  or UT student, faculty member, or staff member who needs to use Stitt Library resources may request evening and weekend privileges by sending an email to the Stitt Library Director, Dr. Timothy Lincoln at: tlincoln@austinseminary.edu
• Persons granted exceptional access must present a photo ID and a copy of the library director's grant of permission. They must also sign the log-in sheet.

Renewing Books

My Account Login

How to Renew a Library Book

Borrowing policies

Notes:

• The loan period for books is 30 days. 
• The loan period for audio/visual materials is 14 days. 
• Toward the end of each semester, all items are due on a designated date to allow us to clear student records.
• Reserve books usually circulate for 3 hour loans (unless the professor has requested a different loan period); they may be checked out overnight beginning 3 hours before closing and are due one hour after the library opens the next day.
• Periodicals, reference materials, archival materials, and restricted circulation materials do not circulate.

Reciprocal Borrowing

Austin Seminary students have reciprocal borrowing privileges at the Booher Library of the Seminary of the Southwest, which is located near 32nd and Duval, just a few blocks from our campus. 

• Present your seminary ID at their circulation desk to register to use the library.
• We have a shared library catalog with the Booher Library which makes it easy to see which resources they have.

Stitt Library also has a reciprocal borrowing agreement for Austin Seminary students, faculty, and staff at The University of Texas at Austin libraries. 

• You can obtain a free courtesy borrowing card that gives you limited borrowing privileges at most UT libraries and will allow you to use most of the UT databases in one of their libraries on UT's campus. 
• Take your Austin Seminary ID card to the Perry Casteneda Library on UT’s campus on the corner of Speedway and 21st.  Go to the Courtesy Borrowing desk located in the circulation area, and tell them you are a student at Austin Seminary and would like a courtesy borrowing card.
• For more information about UT's Courtesy Borrowing Program, contact UT's Borrower Services Department here.

For more information about all our library partnerships, see our Partner Libraries guide (PDF).

Interlibrary Loan

The Stitt Library offers interlibrary loan services to current Seminary students and faculty. See our interlibrary loan information or ask the Access and Instruction Librarian for assistance with interlibrary loan requests.

Renewing Books

My Account Login

How to Renew a Library Book

Borrowing policies

For more information on the resources and services offered to Austin Seminary alumni, please see the Alumni Resources page.

Renewing Books

My Account Login

How to Renew a Library Book

Other Seminaries - Students, faculty, and staff

Borrowing policies

• Students at Seminary of the Southwest, Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary (Ft. Worth), Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University), Dallas Theological Seminary, Austin Graduate School of Theology, and other members of SWATLA may request a free library card at the Stitt Library circulation desk by presenting their school ID and providing contact information.
• Faculty and staff at the Seminary of the Southwest and Austin Graduate School of Theology may request a free library card at the Stitt Library circulation desk.
• Students, faculty, and staff members at other seminaries may register as local or library associate patrons, as described below.
• Periodicals, reference materials, archival materials, and restricted circulation materials do not circulate.

The University of Texas at Austin - Students, faculty, and staff

Borrowing policies

• Those who wish to borrow materials from the library will need to obtain a Stitt Library card. Please apply at the Stitt Library circulation desk, providing your UT ID card and contact information.
• Periodicals, reference materials, archival materials, and restricted circulation materials do not circulate.

Community Members and Local Clergy

Borrowing policies

*local = Austin, Georgetown, Buda, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Bastrop, Cedar Park

• Those who wish to borrow materials from the library will need to obtain a Stitt Library card. Please apply at the Stitt Library circulation desk, providing your photo ID and contact information.
• Students and faculty at St. Edward’s University, Concordia Lutheran College, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Community College, or Texas State University may register as local or library associate patrons.
• Periodicals, reference materials, archival materials, and restricted circulation materials do not circulate.

Overdue Fines

• Regular books, CDs and DVDs: $.20 per day / per item
• Reserve materials: $.60 per hour or portion thereof
• Late return of recalled item: $1 per day
• Students with unresolved overdue books or fines will be prohibited from registering for the next term or graduating.

Fees

• Replacement library card: $5
• Library associate: $25/year
• Local clergy: $5
• Community member (non-clergy): $5
• Book replacement fee: $75 per book

Requesting a book

In addition to reference books in the McMillan library, a portion of the library’s books will remain available during construction, but library staff will need to retrieve them for you.  Requests can be made by contacting the library, or by using the online catalog.  This guide will explain how to request a book starting from Sophi.

1.       Click on "Check Library Availability."  This will take you to the library catalog.

2.       From the catalog record, click on the link for “Make a Request.”

3.       You will be prompted to log in.  Your barcode will be the number on your Austin Seminary ID card or library card.

4.       Once logged in, you should see an option to create a call slip.  Click "Callslip."

5.       For multi-volume works, you can specify the volume you want using the drop-down menu.  You will need to place a separate request for each volume you want. 

6.       If your request was successful, you will see this message.  You will receive an email from the library as your request is processed.