The Instructional Resource Center is located on the second floor of the library. It houses a variety of non-print materials and a large collection of Christian Education curricula. The audio-visual materials of Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education were combined in the early 1970s. This resulted in a more centralized collection of media for students, faculty, and community patrons. Most of our collection is available for use by any patron with borrowing privileges from the library. (A small number of videocassettes, and audiocassettes are restricted to classroom or Library use.)
Almost all of the material in the Instructional Resource Center is cataloged on the computer catalog. This integration of print and non-print items is significant in theological libraries and we are proud of this institution’s commitment to all forms of educational materials.
For additional online information, please see the website of the Instructional Resource Center, as well as the details below.
MATERIALS AVAILABLE
These items are available to local and mail patrons:
AUDIOCASSETTES and COMPACT DISCS of sermons, lectures, plays, music, Greek and Hebrew languages, and Bible studies make up the more than 14,000 titles of our audio media collection. All non-restricted audiocassettes and compact discs can be mailed within the continental United States. No fees are charged for borrowing audiocassettes through the mail, but donations are gratefully accepted. For exact and current information on borrowing by mail, please see the Extension Department page.
VIDEOCASSETTES and DVDs represent the heart of the Instructional Resources collection. Our current selection offers more than 3,000 titles in 200 different subject areas. Included in our video collection are such things as sermons by outstanding preachers and video prints of television films produced by the National Council of Churches in the 1960s. Up to three visual media items can be sent by mail to approved borrowers, with a $5.00 shipping fee for the first item and $1 for each additional item. For exact and current information on borrowing by mail, please see the Extension Department page.
These items are available to local patrons and cannot be mailed :
SLIDES include the Pictorial Archives of Near Eastern History, the Western Civilization collection, Hebrew language studies, and others.
KITS are those educational tools, which are made up of at least two kinds of media (book and tape, transparencies and hand-outs, etc.).
GAMES include board and non-board games in the areas of Bible, interpersonal relations, church officer and teacher training, etc.
POSTERS are obtained from a variety of sources and represent a number of different subjects. Uncataloged posters are available on an honor-system basis. Cataloged posters are checked out at the Circulation Desk, as is all other media material.
BANNERS are in our collection as a gift from the Community Life Committee of Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education. Banners are available for use on-campus. Off-campus use is limited to students, faculty, and staff of the RTC.
CURRICULUM is available from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), most mainline denominations, and many independent publishers. (Please note that more and more curriculum is being produced in kit format, so when looking for teaching material, please search for kits as well as curricula.)
CD-ROM SOFTWARE is located both at the Circulation Desk and in the IRC. CD-ROMs in the IRC are either curricula that must be viewed on an IRC computer, or material that can circulate for a week. Other academic software is located at the Circulation Desk and may be loaned in-house for two hours.
The REINHOLD NIEBUHR COMPACT DISC COLLECTION is a project of Union Theological Seminary (VA) with the cooperation of Union Theological Seminary (NY), the Niebuhr estate, and the Vera and Walter Morris Foundation. The 44 CDs offered for sale include lectures and sermons. A set of restricted audiocassettes is available for use in the Center.
The PAUL TILLICH COMPACT DISC COLLECTION is a project of Union Theological Seminary (VA) with the cooperation of Union Theological Seminary (NY), Harvard Divinity School, the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, the Paul Tillich Estate, and the Vera and Walter Morris Foundation. The 155 CDs offered for sale include lectures and sermons. A set of restricted audiocassettes is available for use in the Center.
SERVICES AVAILABLE
RICHMOND AREA FILM/VIDEO COOP is a consortium of colleges and universities in the greater Richmond area. Films and videos are shuttled among the campuses of the Cooperative twice a week, giving the RTC access to a significant collection of titles beyond our own. These films and videos are available for campus use only.
Faculty members of the RTC may place items in the Center ON RESERVE for student use. This is done through arrangement with the Instructional Resource staff. In addition, patrons may make advance reservations for use of any material in the Center.
EXTENSION SERVICE is available to provide certain items from our media holdings by mail to approved borrowers throughout the continental United States. For exact and current information on borrowing by mail, please see the Extension Department page.
REFERENCE CATALOGS from distributors of audiovisual resources are available for patron browsing. The staff can provide additional help in searching for titles or distributors of media materials.
AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT is available in the Instructional Resource Center for use by patrons. This equipment includes a video player/monitor, DVD players, audiocassette players, filmstrip projectors, a compact disc player, slide tables, and a record player. THIS EQUIPMENT DOES NOT LEAVE THE CENTER. Patrons who need audiovisual equipment for use outside the Center should make rental arrangements with the Media Services and Technology Center.
HIGH-SPEED DUPLICATORS for tapes and CDs are available for use in the Instructional Resource Center. Only non-commercial, unrestricted titles may be duplicated. Patrons should bring their own blank media and make arrangements with the staff to use the duplicator.
USE POLICIES
All of our non-restricted materials are available for use by anyone with borrowing privileges and proper identification. However, our resources are primarily purchased for use by faculty and students in the Richmond Theological Center. Members of the RTC receive priority consideration in the scheduling and use of all media resources in the Center.
LOCAL LOAN
POLICIES
Videocassettes/DVDs : One week with one renewal.
All other materials : Three weeks with one renewal.
For complete details, see Circulation Policy and Procedures.
MAIL LOAN
POLICIES
Includes mailing time
Audiocassettes : Five weeks with one renewal (maximum 10 tapes).
V ideocassettes/DVDs : Three weeks with NO renewals (maximum
3 videos or DVDs : $5 mailing charge for first video or DVD plus $1 for
each additional video or DVD). For exact and current information on borrowing
by mail, please see the Extension
Department page.
OVERDUE FINES
Fines accumulate at the rate of 10¢ per day on all material in the
Instructional Resource Center.
LOST MATERIALS
If materials are lost, there will be a $50 replacement fee charged for
videos, kits and slide books. There will be a $15 charge for lost audiotapes,
games and curriculum pieces. Please be aware that this policy is currently
undergoing review and may be changed without notice.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Instructional Resource Center staff is made up of the director and the extension librarian. Staff members are always happy to work with patrons to answer any questions you might have about our resources or procedures. The staff is available to help on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Arrangements should be made during these hours for material pick-up after 5:00 p.m. or on the weekends. The director can be available at other times by special appointment.
