Collections
The Library contains over 604,000 bound volumes covering the broad spectrum of theological disciplines and linked subject areas. The collections are international in scope and represent significant historical depth. In addition to books, the library also contains periodicals, pamphlets/reports, manuscripts, microforms, digital resources and unique archival material. For information on locating archives, rare books, & manuscripts, please visit the following pages:
For information about online databases and other resources, please visit the Electronic Resources & Links page.
If you need assistance in finding any material in the library, contact the librarians at the Reference Desk on floor L3: refdesk@uts.columbia.edu
Books
Use any of the search options within CLIO, the online catalog, to identify books. If they are in The Burke Library, note the location and call number from the catalog entry.
How to Locate Books in The Burke Library
Be aware! There are two separate sequences of books within The Burke Library stacks:
Burke [UTS] LC Stacks
Burke [UTS] Union Stacks
In general, you will find that the Burke [UTS] Union Stacks books are older items and that the Burke [UTS] LC Stacks books were published after 1976.
To reach the book stacks, enter though the only stacks entrance on floor L1 of the Library. See the location guide for layout, and use the internal stairs in the stacks to reach other floors of the stacks. Please contact the Circulation Desk staff if you would like assistance accessing the stacks.
If the catalog entry indicates that the item you are looking for is Offsite, follow the ‘Request from OFFSITE’ directions within CLIO to have the item paged for you. It will be paged for you from the Offsite location and you will be emailed when it is at the Circulation Desk for you to check out.
If you find that the items you want are located in another CU library, currently you must visit that library to access the items. You can check the library location and hours on the Columbia Libraries website.
Periodicals
The Burke Library has available more than 1,000 current periodicals and also maintains an important research resource of titles no longer in publication. While most titles are in print form, many are on microfilm or microfiche and increasingly, full-text journals can be accessed online through CLIO.
How to Locate Periodicals in The Burke Library
Periodical titles are listed in CLIO, the online library catalog. Select the "Journal title" search option and enter the title of the periodical you are looking for. The holdings of The Burke Library will usually be listed, as will any electronic link to an online journal if available.
Current periodicals are those which have appeared as printed issues within the last year and are to be found in the current periodicals reading area on floor L2 of the library. At the end of the year periodicals are bound and shelved in A-Z order by title in Stacks floors S1 and S2. Large size periodicals form a separate A-Z sequence on Stacks floor S1.
If it is indicated in CLIO that the periodical which you want appears only in microfilm or microfiche, ask for the material to be paged for you at the Circulation Desk on floor L1 of the library. On floor L1 microform reading machines and printers are available for your use. Please return the microforms to the Circulation Desk after use.
If you experience any difficulty in locating periodicals, ask for assistance at the Reference Desk on floor L3: refdesk@uts.columbia.edu
Microforms
The Library owns 163,000 microforms, which include monographs, periodicals and manuscript collections in microfiche or microfilm. These are identified in CLIO as:
Burke [UTS] Microfiche (Non-Circulating)
Burke [UTS] Microfilm (Non-Circulating)
Note the call number of the microform and ask for this to be paged for you at the Circulation Desk on floor L1 of the library. On the same floor, microfilm and microfiche reading machines and printers are available for your use. Please return any microforms to the Circulation Desk after use.
Digital Resources
When searching CLIO, look for items which show Location: LibraryWeb. You will be able to read the full text online through the link in CLIO. Some links may prompt for your Columbia UNI and password before opening.
You may also wish to consult the Electronic Resources & Links page for additional online resources.