General Information
resources, regardless of format or location, and a wide variety of services. Opened the Fall of 2001, our state of the art, 98,000 square foot, tri-level Library, located on the campus quad, integrates traditional print, modern online electronic, multimedia and audio-visual resources. In an environment that respects the privacy of the individual scholar and facilitates dynamic, interactive, collaborative learning groups, our flexible Library will grow the University for many years. In addition to a two-story, quiet, current periodical reading room with mezzanine, the Library provides 23 group study rooms. The technology-rich instruction room serves 48 students in a class setting at 24 computer work stations, which are available for individual students when not used for group instruction. Our local area network in the Learning Commons allows up to 100 simultaneous users in a mix of PCs and Macs. Further, the Media Center provides 15 dedicated multimedia viewing and listening stations. The building provides space for over 900 individual study stations at carrels, tables and casual lounge reading seats most of which are equipped with data and power connections for laptop or handheld computer use. The upper-level Study Terrace and the middle-level Giumarra Courtyard offer more than 100 outdoor study spaces with wireless network connectivity. The 12-seat coffee and food court provides an informal setting for study, fellowship and nutrition breaks. The signature rooftop beacon symbolizes Biola’s focus of bringing the Light, so that the Light may shine through enlightened servant leaders to the glory of God. The Library also hosts two computer classrooms: one with 35 PCs and one with 24 iMacs; and The Writing Center. Works of art and the graphic presentation of Scripture on the theme of light contribute to the dynamic intellectual environment, The Library also hosts art exhibits, curated by the Art Department, two or three times each year. In addition to a growing collection of more than 320,000 print volumes and 200,000 ebooks, the library currently subscribes to more than 1,000 print periodical titles, with several journal back files dating from the 19th century. Further, many databases and over 45,000 additional periodical titles are available full-text online to anyone with authorized Internet access from anywhere, anytime. The diverse collection reflects Biola’s enthusiasm and scholarly commitment to the integration of faith and learning in all academic disciplines, Bible history and translation, the historical roots of fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity, and worldwide Christian service. Special collections embrace extensive microform resources, selected Bible study tools in Braille, and curriculum resources for teacher education. The Library provides access to its holdings through a web-based online public access catalog and circulation system. Further, over 100 online databases are available through our local area network and the Library Internet home page. Library automation reflects the University’s commitment to quality service and expanding resources through the electronic exchange of ideas and information. In addition, adaptive technologies and fee-based photocopying, scanners, printers, microform readers and reader-printers facilitate resource use. In all, when completely furnished, the Library will seat over 1,200 patrons at a time.
The Library is a gateway to the world of information and knowledge. It offers trained reference help at posted times to connect patrons to our own and other relevant library resources throughout the world. Reciprocal direct borrowing promotes Biolan access to the library resources at California State Universities at Fullerton and San Bernardino, selected members of the Link+ and Camino Consortiums which includes many public, college, university, and seminary libraries, as well as other consortia and cooperatives. Interlibrary loan services facilitate borrowing resources from thousands of libraries around the world. Networked computer services help Biola scholars access the Internet and international bibliographical and full-text databases through such vendors as OCLC First Search, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, J-Stor, Art-Stor, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, ebrary, and NetLibrary. Nine professional librarians, a well-qualified paraprofessional staff, and many able student assistants provide service more than 100 hours per week during the regular campus semesters with adjusted schedules of service available year round. Through Ask a Librarian, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, many of our services and resources are available 24/7/365 for those with Internet access and active NetIDs and passwords. Media Services Media Services in the Library Media Center offers a variety of audio-visual resources to enhance the quality of communication and instruction by faculty and students. Media Services has thousands of cataloged video tapes, CDs, DVDs, laser discs and films that support Biola’s academic programs, which are available for use at the Media Center’s equipped carrels, media and group study rooms or borrowed for short-term use outside of the library. Further, they support classroom instruction through digital projection, presentation and AV equipped roll about units. Assistance and training are available to assure the proper use of the equipment and media resources. Media Services also provides duplication and media transfer services for a fee of various media for copyright cleared items. Center for ChristianThought The mission of the Center for Christian Thought is to facilitate, promote and disseminate biblically informed thinking and scholarship about timely issues in service to the Academy, the Church, and Culture. The Center awards fellowships and supports collaborative endeavors for engaging a variety of critical themes. The Center seeks to promote multi-disciplinary conversation within Biola’s faculty community and to attract engaging thinkers from around the world. http:// cct.biola.edu/ Center for Learning Enrichment, Assessment & Research (CLEAR) CLEAR serves as the offices for the Director of Assessment and the Director of Instructional Development. The mission of CLEAR is to help spearhead the University’s efforts to become a more
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