THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES1. INTRODUCTIONThe international theology and religious studies collection is located on Level One of the General Library. Material from New Zealand or the Pacific is held in the New Zealand & Pacific Collection or the Matauranga Maori Collection, both on Level G, General Library. Students and faculty of the School of Theology have access to college libraries of religious denominations in addition to the University of Auckland collection: John Kinder Theological Library, (Anglican and Methodist); and Catholic Diocese of Auckland Library, (Catholic). Electronic journals and electronic databases indexing theology and religious studies journals are accessible via Library website. 2. DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTIONThe present collection has developed largely as a response to teaching in disciplines which overlap with theology and is particularly strong in areas of church history, ancient religions and the philosophy of religion. Within church history there has been a notable emphasis on the early church. Historically, the Library has collected significantly in the area of New Zealand material, with weighting towards research material, particularly to support historical and sociological research. New Zealand material is part of the New Zealand & Pacific Collection and is described in the CMP for that collection. It aims to be comprehensive. A collection of Maori material is kept in the Matauranga Maori Collection. Individual histories of New Zealand churches from outside the Auckland area are not normally collected. Microfilms of missionary records are particularly valuable resources within this collection. The Paterson Collection is mainly a classics and theology collection. This was originally a bequest to the Library and has had little material added to it. It is part of Special Collections. The Maclaurin Chapel Library is accessible using The Catalogue. It includes general theological resources, including support material for student Christian groups (cell groups, bible study groups, and worship resources). Topical material related to social, environmental and spiritual issues has also been collected. The Library subscribes to some serials in the field of theology and religious studies and many of these are accessible electronically. Key theology and religious studies reference indexes e.g. ATLA Religion Index, and some reference sources e.g. encyclopaedia or directories, are available from the Internet through Library website. Electronic texts from the Early English Books Online database provide access to scanned images of many religious primary texts for periods of particular interest to church historians. The Bibleworks programme provides access to 190 Bible translations in 40 languages as well as 35 original language texts, and the 29 original language lexicons and dictionaries. 3. USERSStaff and students of the School of Theology are the principal users of this collection. Most students study part-time. Other university students and members of the University staff, e.g. History, Classics, Ancient History, Sociology, Music, use the collection for research. 4. SELECTION CRITERIAMaterial is selected by both Library and academic staff in the School of Theology. A collaborative collection management plan is being considered by the libraries that serve the School of Theology. If that eventuates, it will influence collection priorities. The current collection owes much to the interests of other disciplines, such as history and sociology. Mark Hangartner
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