About
The Frances Donaldson Library
The library is the heart of any academic institution. Nashotah House strives to make its library as "user-friendly" and efficient as possible. An initial orientation tour is conducted for all new students. The library collection, approximately 117,000 printed volumes and 287 current periodical subscriptions, is primarily theological, with substantial holdings in church history, philosophy, and material supporting other areas of the seminary's curriculum. The print holdings of the library are supplemented by more than 40,000 carefully selected electronic books and electronic journals that are conveniently available through the library’s catalog and its journal databases.
Special collections have a number of interesting items, including the Underwood Prayer Book Collection and archival material relating to the history of Nashotah House and the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin. In support of the seminary's course offerings in the English choral tradition, a core collection of compact discs is available, emphasizing plainsong, polyphony, chant, madrigals, choral, and organ works. Video and DVD collections feature films relating to the Bible, church history, monasticism, Christian spirituality, and current issues in the church. Within the building, access is provided to databases, reference materials, and internet resources in a small computer lab and via wireless networking. The online catalog (HouseCat) and many other databases are accessible from the library’s “Resources” page. Currently enrolled seminarians, faculty, and staff may access all of the library's electronic resources remotely.
All stack areas, except for special collections, are open. Large, utilitarian study carrels are available for all students. The building, which is fully accessible to the disabled, also houses a seminar room and a children's room with a sizeable collection of children's books. The Nashotah House Library is open to the general public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., Monday through Friday, except during holidays. Faculty and seminarians have access to the library twenty-four hours every day.
