The library building closed March 20, but staff and student librarians have continued to work from home. We have been serving you and continue to be here to help your successful learning! Here are answers to
the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) since the building and campus closed. We hope the FAQ is useful. If you don't see an answer to a question you have, let us know. Q. How do I get access to the library's electronic resources?
A. Check out Remote Access to Electronic Resources in the Library (2 min video) by Ken Schuck, MDiv 2023.
[Note: We unveiled this lptslove.org aka With Much Love your portal to digital library resources and services, essentially your very own E.M. White Library at home, at the end of March. This is your starting place for library research during COVID19 or #HealthyAtHome, as we call it. We created this new portal because students told me the regular library website was difficult to use and there were a lot of links that did not work. We're making sure that's not the case here, so let us know if something doesn't work or a resource you want cannot be found here. You can also use the regular library website.]
Q. My barcode and password does not work.
A. If your barcode and password does not work, contact the Help Desk.
Q. I want to return my library books.
A. Library books can be returned via the Book Drop that is located outside the library. Fines accrued during this period will be waived.
Q. I want to keep my books? Will I be charged fines because they are now overdue?
A. We highly recommend that all books that are due be returned to the library. This is especially important if you are graduating or going to be leaving for the summer. Return books via the Book Drop box outside the library. Fines accrued during the period of campus closure will be waived. If you are continuing at LPTS and need the books, please contact the Help Desk.
Q. How do I find Ebooks in the library?
A. Consult the Remote Ebook Access Pictorial Guide by Rachel Lemke, MDiv 202. See also other resources listed below.
Q. What online resources are available to help me write my final papers?
A. The library is rich in online resources! Some critical new ones are listed below.
The Digital Resources Guide provides an entry into our subscription databases. Use this to find ebooks, full-text scholarly journal articles, citation tools, and more.
The Open Access Resources Guide provides an entry to openly available resources and is arranged by programs MDiv, MAMFT, MAR.
Additional resources exist for exegesis and other papers and assignments. They include:
Remote Access and Use of Ebook Commentaries from the ATLA Religion Database for Exegesis
Remote Access and Use of Commentaries and ATLA Religion Database for Exegesis of Exodus: A Pictorial Guide
PC(USA) Ordination Examinations Guide
How to Use Google Scholar by Donna Phillips, MDiv 2015, MAMFT 2020.
Q. How do I log into Morgan Discovery, the library catalog?
A. Check Ken Schuck's How to Log into Morgan Discovery (Library Catalog) - (3.37 min video). Remember, you only need to login in to check your library a/c, save searches, results, etc. You do not need to log in to search the catalog.
Q. Are there other videos that can help me with electronic access?
A. Ken Schuck, MDiv 2023, has made a number of videos to help with Redshelf (free digital textbooks for students), Kindle, and more. The full Playlist is available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZmXx_jI5wqDr0zlojcqMYJKYBo8Q6kQy
Q. I need help with my research paper.
A. In addition to the Digital Resources Guide and the Open Access Guide described above, you can consult the Information Research Toolbox which was created for the students in the SM 1003 Research Methods and Practices course (prof. Garrett and Prof. Coleman). We also highly recommend the Information Literacy Research Companion, an online learning tool (it is also listed in the Toolbox). You must create a free a/c to this trial learning as it does not use the Seminary barcode and password. There is an explanation about this tool, including a link to create a personal account, on this page here.
Q. How do I cite or prepare a bibliography?
A. Use one of the Seminary standards as shown below:
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style Online is used in the MDiv and MAR programs. Guide to style, usage, and grammar.
APA Style and Grammar Guidelines--From the American Psychological Association website, "The style and grammar guidelines pages present information about APA Style as described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition." APA Citation Information from the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. This covers all the important aspects of writing and citing from the current APA Style Guide.
Q. What other ordination exam prep materials are available online?
A. Collection of exams from Aug. 2007 - Winter 2015 - 360 pages - available at this link below: https://lpts.edu/assets/documents/library/allordexams.pdf
Q. I have another question that is not answered here. Who can help me?
A. Remember, if you're comfortable using the regular library webpage, you can always consult that: http://lpts.edu/library. Our library has so much more than we can include here.
If you need personal help, contact the Help Desk. A librarian will respond within 24 hours.
Important Note: This - lptslove.org - is your digital library, your very own E.M. White Library at home. Your starting place for library research. We created the digital library cum blog because students found the regular library website difficult and to document the library’s online services during COVID19. Here is a video tour of this blog, just in time for Research and Study Week.
