JKM Library
The JKM Library offers McCormick students a wealth of resources upon which to draw for their research. Housed in the west wing of the McCormick-LSTC campus, the JKM collection is a merger of the collections of the libraries of McCormick Theological Seminary and Lane Theological Seminary; the libraries of the five seminaries that consolidated to form the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; and, a portion of the library of the Jesuit School of Theology at Chicago. Over 480,000 books, 600 currently received periodicals, and 1600 videos and DVDs comprise the collection that, along with access to 20 on-line databases, make JKM the 11th largest theological collection among the member libraries of the Association of Theological Schools. 80% of the collection is accessible via the Horizon on-line catalog; for materials added to the collection prior to 1979, researchers should also consult the card catalog on the first floor of the library. Making the collection accessible to our users is the expertise of 6 professional and 3 paraprofessional librarians, who are eager to assist you with your research.
Other resources available to McCormick students include wireless internet service on two of the three floors of the west wing, an internet café and lounge with adjoining terminals (for those without laptops), photocopying, printing and scanning service; one-on-one reference services and instruction; occasional computer and research workshops; interlibrary loan; and, several nooks for quiet study.
In addition, McCormick students enjoy access to the resources of the eight other ACTS (Association of Chicago Theological Schools) libraries as well as the University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library. For more information on access to these other libraries please consult with public services staff of the library.
In 2008 McCormick entered into an innovative partnership with the world-renowned Newberry Library: approximately 2035 rare books (650 of which came from Lane Theological Seminary) moved to the Newberry on irrevocable deposit, joining that library's 1.5 million rare books, 5 million manuscript pages and 500,000 maps. Researchers may access any of McCormick’s rare volumes -- or any from Newberry's larger collection -- by simply presenting themselves at the Newberry Library.
All of JKM’s policies, procedures, services, hours, and links to databases and other online resources can be found on the library’s web site, www.jkmlibrary.org, which library staff update daily. The website also provides access to the online Horizon catalog and each student’s personal library account (allowing online renewal of materials, etc.), up-to-date news about JKM, links to the websites of the ACTS and the University of Chicago libraries, and facilitates communication with reference librarians from off campus (the “Ask a Librarian” feature, especially handy in the evenings and on weekends).
