Online Resources
The Virtual Reference Library
Lets you search 13 reference sets online. You will need a password to connect from off campus.
eBooks
Provides access to 8,000 general reference items plus a growing collection of online commentaries and other theological texts.
Google Book Search
Lets you keyword search millions of books. Read your book online or use I-Share or WorldCat to find a copy you can borrow.
HathiTrust Digital Library
Lets you search millions of books partially or fully provided by a consortium of worldwide academic institutions.
Internet Archive
Provides access to over 23 million full text books plus a wide range of audio, video, and other media resources freely available via the Internet.
Atla’s Websites On Religion
Provides annotated links to resources for the study and teaching of religion and theology.
The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL)
Provides full text access to the Church Fathers and many other historical Christian texts.
The Northern Seminary Copyright Guide
Provides information on the seminary’s copyright and intellectual property policies.
More Online Resources
Includes links to Turabian guides.
Book Search
Search Everything
Start your research and find Northern Seminary books, e-books, and online articles.
(Click here for More Information.)
Books are mailed to Northern Seminary students, staff, and faculty. Curbside pick-up is also available for library patrons who live in the Lisle area.
I-Share Online Catalog
If you cannot locate a book in Search Everything, then try the I-Share Online Catalog.
- Read all the details on how the new I-Share service works.
- There are limitations on I-Share services due to COVID-19. Note that as of fall 2020, I-Share requests are taking 1-2 weeks to be filled.
- Searches library materials at 88 other Illinois academic libraries.
- Or search only for library items in the Northern Seminary Library online catalog.
- You can also find items in the Lisle library that are placed on course reserves.
How to login to your online library account.
WordCat
If you cannot find what you are looking for in I-Share, expand your search to libraries all around the world by searching WorldCat.
- You will need your Northern Seminary email address and password to login to WorldCat.
- You can click on the ILL icon
to place an online request for library materials that you find in WorldCat. - Items with the green ACTS icon are available from one of the ACTS libraries, most of which are also part of I-Share.
If you are searching for D.Min. theses, there are two special databases that you will want to use:
- Instructions for searching for D.Min. theses are available by clicking here.
- Locate D.Min., D.Miss., and annual conference papers by searching in ATLA’s Research in Ministry (RIM) database.
- If you find a thesis or conference paper in RIM that you want to read, see if you can download an online copy from TREN, the Theological Research Exchange Network. You will need your Northern Seminary email address and password to download TREN e-docs.
Follow the links in the menu at the top of the page to find online resources like library databases, other libraries, or other kinds of freely available Internet resources.
Other Libraries
Northern Seminary Library participates in three library consortia:
CARLI I-Share
The Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) includes over 135 libraries in the state of Illinois.
92 of these member libraries have joined together to create the I-Share network committed to sharing both a network system and library resources. Current students, faculty, and staff of Northern Seminary may borrow materials directly from any other I-Share library.
Placing an online request in the I-Share online catalog is the quickest way to request materials from another library.
The Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS)
Via the ACTS consortium, Northern Seminary students have access to 11 other Chicago area libraries serving 13 other schools. Request an ACTS card from the Northern Seminary Library if you wish to borrow materials from the ACTS libraries.
Visit the ACTS web site for a listing of all ACTS schools.
The ATLA Reciprocal Borrowing Program
The Atla Reciprocal Borrowing Program provides distance-learning students with borrowing privileges in 120 theological libraries across the United States and Canada. You will need to provide proof of current enrollment to receive check-out privileges at any of the participating Atla libraries.
Visit Atla’s web site for complete information about the Atla Reciprocal Borrowing Program.
Click here for a map of participating libraries or contact Northern Seminary Library at library@seminary.edu for more information.
Do you need assistance locating library resources? Call the front desk at (630) 620-2115 or email the library at library@seminary.edu