Library Learning Resources

The Library has aggressively expanded its holdings and now numbers more than 162,000 cataloged items and receives more than 700 periodicals regularly. Non-print media such as audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, Christian education resources, and computer-based  biblical and patristic studies tools, indexing and abstracting services, and other reference tools are among the resources available on campus to the community of scholars at Emmanuel.  The Library's catalog is accessible through the Internet.

The main collection has within it the libraries of a number of retired or deceased scholars including Dean E. Walker, Toyozo W. Nakarai, Joseph H. Dampier, Beauford Bryant, Burton B. Thurston, James Van Buren, Fred P. Thompson, Delno W. Brown, Paul Schubert, and Myron Taylor. These libraries have enriched the main collection.

Certain special collections are noteworthy. The Beauford H. Bryant New Testament Seminar Library contains more than 10,000 volumes that are primarily concerned with the New Testament and its background. The Restoration Movement Archives Collection was established as a research facility for the examination of past and present aspects of the Campbell-Stone tradition. This Discipliana collection consists of a wide range of books, periodicals, pamphlets, and memorabilia.

The Media Center is a resource of audiovisual equipment and materials for use by faculty and students. Curriculum materials are also available for research projects in Christian education.

Within the wider community, the P. H. Welshimer Memorial Library at Milligan College offers access to over 160,000 books, periodicals, documents, and non-print media. The libraries of nearby East Tennessee State University house more than 1.5 million volumes and 3,400 current periodicals. Students serving churches may also request access to the libraries of a number of colleges and universities in proximity to their churches.

The Library is a member of SOLINET (Southeastern Library Network), a bibliographic computer and telecommunications system that promotes resource sharing among more than 57,000 libraries world wide. Through this online system, Emmanuel has ready access to millions of volumes held by these other libraries. The Library also participates in the Tri-Cities Health Sciences Libraries Consortium. Memberships include: the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, the Tennessee Theological Library Association, and the American Theological Library Association.