The Digital Theological Library (DTL) is available to all current United students, staff, and faculty. Patrons can access the DTL catalog homepage through the following website: libguides.thedtl.org

About the Digital Theological Library

In February 2020, United Theological Seminary made the decision to join the Digital Theological Library (DTL), which was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 in January 2016 and currently consists of forty member libraries around the country and around the world. The DTL’s mission is “increased digital access at decreased costs” and provides its member libraries with access to:

• Over 620,000 eBooks
• Over 170 databases (including all ProQuest, JSTOR, and Project Muse databases in religious studies)
• Over 35,000 online journal title
• Over 60 million full-text, peer-reviewed articles
• Over 100,000 musical scores
• Over 70,000 films and videos

Several non-English language databases, including ones in Chinese, Korean, German, French, and Spanish, are available through DTL. DTL also provides member libraries with both Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) services, making online access to nearly any resource available (whether digitally or in print) possible for DTL patrons.

Patrons experiencing problems accessing DTL resources should contact the Director of the Library, Ken Cochrane (email: [email protected]; phone: 937.529.2290) for assistance. Please do not contact DTL staff directly.

Digital Theological Library Seminary Bookshelf

After graduating, United alumni/ae can maintain access to much of DTL’s collections thrugh a subscription to the DTL Seminary Bookshelf (DTLSB). The DTLSB provides digital access to over 25,000 titles in religious studies through Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) to graduates of member institutions, as well as to the subscribing institution’s various core constituencies other than current students and faculty (e.g., alumni/ae, supporting pastors, donors, non-credit students, visiting scholars, regular campus visitors, denominational officials and/or trustees and other individuals who have a substantial relationship with the institution). The collections have a strong emphasis upon Biblical and Theological studies and are non-sectarian. The DTLSB online catalog can be accessed via the following link: https://seminarybookshelf.libguides.com/home

The CDL eBook titles available through DTLSB may be read online, but normally cannot be downloaded or printed in full for copyright purposes (although most browsers will allow for printing of content one page at a time). The DTL will ensure the proper functioning of these titles, but will not provide reference support.

While DTLSB access will be free of charge to eligible applicants during 2022-2023, please note that DTLSB membership does come at a modest additional cost on top of United’s current annual DTL membership fee. Any charitable gifts you are willing to share now or in the future toward the continuation of our DTLSB access will be warmly welcomed and gratefully accepted. Gifts can be given online at any time at give.united.edu (please be sure to specify DTLSB Membership in the Designation box.)

Questions about the DTLSB or requests for assistance should be emailed to O’Brien Library Director, Ken Cochrane ([email protected]).