Finding Books - Theology


Finding Books

Finding Articles

St. Mary's University Libraries Catalog
+WorldCat (OCLC FirstSearch)
+Gale Virtual Reference Library
+Religion & Philosophy Collection

+Academic Search Complete

Theology Periodicals available through the Blume Library (xls)

Locating Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers in the Blume Library
Bible Resources Theological Resources Catholic Resources Documenting Sources - MLA Style (pdf) Electronic Databases Blume Library St. Mary's University Theology Department Evaluating Information

Finding Books: Theology

To determine which books (also called monographs) our library has on a specific topic, whether we have a specific title, works by a specific author, and to determine where in the library they are located, use the St. Mary's University libraries catalog. This is the key tool to finding books in our library.

To find books in the library about your selected topic, including book-length commentaries (monographs) or scriptural criticism on a specific book of the Bible, use a Subject Search or an Advanced Keyword Search. Use a subject search because you are trying to find books about your topic.

Monographs can often provide more detail than one-volume commentaries.

Example subject headings:

Baptism -- Catholic Church

Bible -- O.T. Genesis -- Commentaries

Bible -- O.T. Genesis -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible -- N.T. Matthew -- Commentaries

Bible -- N.T. Matthew -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Catholic Church -- Doctrines

Grace (Theology)

Many of the items you will locate through the above searches will be located on the Third Floor of the Blume Library and can be checked out.

Note: The library catalog also includes videos, periodical (journal) titles, master's theses, and many government documents that the Blume (Academic) and Law libraries own, as well as links to eBooks (electronic books) and other selected electronic resources.

Hint: Start your research early so that you have some selection of commentaries!

If we do not have a book you want, students, faculty and staff may order it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Forms are available at Reference and Circulation as well as online. Be sure to allow two weeks to receive the ordered items.

If St. Mary's University does not have the book you want, and you would prefer to physically check an item out from another library in person, you may search +WorldCat (OCLC FirstSearch). This is a restricted database; read and follow the Restricted Databases Instructions (limited to current students, faculty, and staff). The Blume Library is a participant in the TexShare program, which allows current students, faculty, and staff to borrow items from Texas libraries participating in the TexShare Card Program.To obtain a TexShare Card, visit the Blume Library Circulation counter--you will need your Rattler ID card.

Documenting Sources: Books

Cite the following information as you research. You will need this information for your bibliography.

Author(s), Editor(s)
Chapter Title
Book Title
Publisher
Place of Publication
Year
Page numbers (if part of a reference source or edited work)

Exercise
Using the information above, conduct a subject search using the St. Mary's University libraries catalog.

How many books did you find on your subject?

Previous Next

Go to Theological Foundations Resources

Indexes with a + (plus) preceding their name are available off-campus only to current St. Mary's students, faculty, and staff, due to contractual restrictions from the vendors. For more information, read Restricted Databases Instructions.

For more information about some of the databases listed to the left, see the Louis J. Blume Library Database Descriptions page.