Regent University Library
Library Catalog
The library catalog allows a user to search by keyword, title, author, subject, call # and ISBN. The advanced search allows one to search in as many as three of these areas at the same time. If a book is not on the shelves in the library, but is available through one of the ebooks, NetLibrary or eBrary, the catalog will show that information. Once a list has come up for a search, you have the option of limiting the search to books in netLibrary eBooks or only to items that are currently available in the library.
A search for journals will show which volumes are availble in the library and whether they are on microfilm, microfiche or in standard bound volumes in the Journals section. Additionally, regarding periodicals, the most recent issues are in the unbound section of the library.
Library Databases
Two of the most indispensible resources for theological study are ATLA and WorldCat, with the abstract databases coming up close behind. However the library databases page has a long list worth exploring. A few worth noting here are the Christian Periodical Index, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Dissertations & Theses, the Oxford English Dictionary, and Religious Periodicals.
ATLA
ATLA is specifically designed for research in the area of religious studies. It is the best place to look for articles or book chapters on a topic in this area of study. ATLA is also an excellent source for finding book reviews. You can even limit your search results to only show reviews. It is also an option to limit results to full-text articles.
WorldCat and ILLiad
WorldCat is particularly helpful for determining where to get a particular resource. The entry for a resource in WorldCat will tell you if the Regent library has it, as well as a list of all the libraries that have it. The more libraries there are that have it and the closer they are to Virginia Beach, the easier it is to get through ILLiad and the faster it will come. The page with all the information for a resource, as opposed to the page with a list of entries, will have a link to ILLiad. Any Regent library approved user can click on this and enter their username and passord. This is much faster than entering all of the bibliographic information into a form on ILLiad's home page. (Click on "Book or Article Request via ILLiad) This only needs to be used when you only need a chapter of book or if a resource is hard to find.
Abstracts
New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, and Religious and Theological Abstracts are all excellent sources for finding abstracts for books (the first two) or articles (primarily the third).
Full-Text Journal Finder
Since journals that are in the library still must be located and copied, it is more efficient to find full-text versions of journal articles whenever possible. Many religious studies journals are available full-text in ATLA. For those that are not, go to the library home page and click on "Full-Text Journal Finder." Type in the title of the journal and find the corresponding entry. In it will be a list of places where that journal is available full-text online. An additional source for finding full-text articles is JSTOR, a scholarly journal archive.
Divinity Resources
For more divinity resources, go to the library's divinity page.