About Us

The Ashland Theological Seminary Library exists to serve the students, faculty, and community of Ashland Theological Seminary. Learn more about us below!

Our Mission

The Ashland Theological Seminary Library provides exemplary library services to enhance the scholarship, spiritual formation, and continuing education of the students, faculty, and community of Ashland Theological Seminary.

Our Vision

The Ashland Theological Seminary Library strives to provide the best service to the students, faculty, and community of Ashland Theological Seminary through ease of access to resources, friendly service, and promoting good research practices for all users, regardless of location.

Meet the ATS Librarians

Sarah Thomas: Theological Librarian

I started my journey with Ashland Seminary Library in 2002 as Library Specialist. Throughout the years many things have changed in the library and so has my role and responsibilities. In 2012, I graduated from Kent State University with a Master’s in Library and Information Sciences. I then took on the role as Digital Services Librarian from 2012-2018. Since 2020, I have now taken on the role of Theological Librarian for Ashland Seminary Library. In this role I serve as the ATS Library manager and I provide ATS library users with instruction and guidance in obtaining and utilizing learning resources. I also am responsible for collection development for the ATS Library. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to be a student at ATS. In 2022 I completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. Contact Info: sthomas4@ashland.edu or (419)-289-5168

Dan O'Brien: User Services Librarian

As the User Services Librarian at the Ashland Theological Seminary Library, I curate collections of digital resources for students, help guide research and answer reference questions, fulfill OhioLINK and Interlibrary Loan requests, and handle circulation services. Some of my past library experience includes working at the Harold Schiffman Music Library at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and as a media specialist and technology integration coach at GRACE Christian School in Raleigh, NC. I have also spent time overseas teaching English in Funehiki, Japan. I am excited to serve the students of Ashland Theological Seminary with any library needs they may have.   Contact Info: dobrien1@ashland.edu or (419)-289-5146

Ashland Theological Seminary Library Lending, Renewal, and Fine Policies

Lending term: 21 days

Renewals: 6 time limit. Materials may be renewed by phone, in person, or on the library catalog if the item is not currently overdue.

DMin Students: DMin students may borrow items for up to a year from the check out date, but must provide their own due date at the time of check out and must identify that they are enrolled in the DMin program. There are no fine reductions for overdue DMin items. ATS Overdue Fines: $.25 per item per day overdue including a 7 day grace period. Lost items cost a minimum $75.00 fee + $50.00 processing fee = $125.00. If you owe $25.00+, circulation is suspended until you clear the fine.

OhioLINK Lending Renewal, and Fine Policies

Lending term: 21 days

Check Out for books: 3 week limit

Renewal for books: 6 time limit (if another user does not request the book)

Check Out for non-book items: 1 week limit, non-renewable OhioLINK

Overdue Fines: $.50 per item per day ($15.00 cap if overdue by 30+ days). 30+ days overdue is an automatic $75.00 replacement fee + $50.00 processing fee = $125.00 total. 

Ashland Theological Seminary Library Guest Cards

Guest patrons may purchase a courtesy card for $15.00, good for 1 year. There is a 5 item limit for guest card patrons. Patrons must live within 150 miles of the seminary to be eligible for a card.

Policy for Sending Items to Ashland Theological Seminary Students

Students within Ohio: Any student in Ohio should use OhioLINK's "Pick Up Anywhere" feature to request items, SearchOhio, the public and community libraries near their homes, or the interlibrary loan feature of their community library.

Students beyond Ohio: The ATS library will send 15 items in a single mailing to a student once per semester or summer (or per course for the D.Min program) if there is available borrowing space on his/her library record. The ATS Library is responsible for the items up to the time the items have reached the patron; the patron is responsible for the items from this point onward. Patrons are also responsible for returning borrowed items to the ATS Library by the expected due date. If returned items are not in good, usable condition, the student is responsible for the replacement cost of all items, binding costs and any processing charges. The only items that will be sent to our students are those owned by the ATS Library. No items requested by students through Interlibrary Loan or OhioLINK and received by the ATS Library will be mailed to a student.

Students beyond the US: Students who live outside the US must contact the ATS librarians directly via email or phone in order to discuss the specifics for borrowing ATS resources.