Frequently Asked Questions for DMin Students
1. How do I find a book?
First, go to the Library Catalog. This will
search for books and audio-visuals at Mercer University’s Atlanta campus, Macon
campus and the Regional Centers. You can search by Subject, Keyword, Author, Title, or
Call Number. See Find
Books/Audio-Visual Material for more information on using the Library Catalog.
2.The book I want is not available on the Atlanta campus, but is available in
Macon. How can I get it?
Use the Request function in the library catalog to have the material sent
to the Mercer library of your choice. The library will ship the items to you if you
live more than 50 miles from a Mercer library. Otherwise, you will be contacted when the
material is available for pickup.
3. How do I find a book or article that is not available at Mercer University?
You will need to request the item through Interlibrary
Loan. We will borrow books and get copies of articles from other libraries.
4. How can I renew my books?
You can renew your books over the Internet by clicking the 'View Your Library Record' link
on the library catalog page. You can also call
the Circulation Department at 678.547.6284.
5. I need to return my books to Swilley Library. What do I do?
You can either mail the books to:
Swilley Library
Circulation Department
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341
Or you can bring them to the library. If you return the materials by mail, please insure
the package or be prepared to pay replacement costs should the package be lost.
6. How do I find a journal article?
The best way to find journal articles is by using an index. If you are looking for
information on a religious topic, you probably want to start with the ATLA Religion
Database. You can also search the Religion and Philosophy Index on GALILEO,
Old Testament Abstracts, New Testament Abstracts, Religious and
Theological Abstracts, Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, and
Philosopher’s Index.
If you want Pastoral Care and Counseling information, you may want to look at PsychLit
and PsychInfo
in addition to the ATLA Religion Database or Religion and Philosophy Index.
Are you looking for information on leadership or administration? There will be some in
the ATLA Religion Database as well as Religion and Philosophy Index. You may also want to
look at some of the Business and Economics databases in GALILEO such as ABI Inform
Complete and Business Source Premiere.
Links to databases
7. I’ve found my journal article, and it’s not available full-text!!
What do I do now??
On the Swilley Library Homepage (swilley.mercer.edu)
go to the Journal Search.
This database will tell you if the article you want is available in the Swilley Library or
in any of the databases to which we subscribe.
If the journal you want is not available in the Swilley Library or through any of our
databases, you will want to request the article through Interlibrary Loan. We will try to obtain
the article from another library.
If you live more than 50 miles from a Mercer library and
the article you need is available in the Swilley Library and
not available through any of the databases, use the material
request form.
8. How do I know which journals are in the Swilley Library?
On the Swilley Library Homepage (swilley.mercer.edu)
go to the Find a Journal search box.
This database will tell you which journals are available in the Swilley Library and which
journals are in the databases to which we subscribe.
9. How can I get help finding information on my topic?
There are several ways you can get help from a Reference Librarian.
· You can call the Reference Desk at 678-547-6282 Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m., Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on
Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Fall and Spring semester hours. Please inquire for Summer
and holiday hours.)
· You can submit a reference question via email at swilley_ref@mercer.edu. These questions are
answered during the hours listed above.
· You can reach the Public Services/Theology Librarian at perry_sb@mercer.edu or 678-547-6435.
10. How can I find DMin projects that have been written at other institutions?
On the DMin webpage there is a
link for Research in Ministry (RIM). This database is put together by the American
Theological Library Association and lists projects from 1981 to the present. It contains
over 7,000 records with over 450 added each year. The database is updated quarterly. There is also a link
for Theses Canada which contains DMin projects. Full text is available for some of these.
11. How can I contact the library?
Monroe F. Swilley, Jr. Library
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341-4155
swilley.mercer.edu
Circulation 678-547-6284
Reference 678-547-6282
Interlibrary Loan 678-547-6291
Library Fax 678-547-6270
Email Reference
Send an Instant Message
Beth Perry, Public Services/Theology Librarian
678-547-6435
perry_sb@mercer.edu
12. What is Interlibrary Loan?
When a book or journal article you need is not available through the Mercer University
Libraries, you can request it through Interlibrary
Loan. We will locate a library that owns the material and have them send it to us.
Journal articles will be sent electronically when possible. It will probably take a few
weeks before you receive the books.
Journal articles do not need to be returned. You will need to return books to the
Swilley Library. Due dates for books are determined by the lending library. To renew an
Interlibrary Loan book, email the ILL department swilley_ill@mercer.edu,
or call them at 678-547-6291. They will need the ILL number which will be on the book.
13. Can I use other libraries in the Atlanta area?
Yes. Swilley Library is a member of the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher
Education (ARCHE). This consortium was designed to help give students access to
materials not held by their institution's library. Schools that participate include
Columbia Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center, Emory University,
Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia. You will need to obtain an
Interlibrary Use card from the Swilley Library Reference Desk before going to another
library.
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