Resources and Services for Seminary Distance Education

The staff at McCain Library recognizes that not all Erskine Theological Seminary students are able to be on campus on a regular basis to utilize our library resources and services in person.  In an effort to assist students who live a considerable distance from campus or may be taking classes at one of the Seminary's extension sites or through the EDEN program, we have created this guide to distance education resources and services.  This guide is designed to help you access both electronic and print resources as well as the staff assistance you may need to support your academic coursework.

SCOTTY - The Library's Online Catalog

Use the online catalog to search for books, videos, CDs, etc. in the McCain Library collections.  SCOTTY allows you to view your patron record and renew items online.

McCain Library online catalog

Electronic Databases

The Databases and Indexes section of the McCain Library website contains links to over 100 general and specialized databases that provide electronic access to indexes, abstracts, full-text journals, and other online content.  A few of these databases are available only in the library or on the Erskine campus, but the majority are accessible off-campus, including your home and work.  You may browse the available databases by subject or alphabetical listing.  If you need assistance connecting with a database, email the library or call the Reference Desk at (864) 379-4348.

Browse the Electronic Databases

Electronic Journals

McCain Library provides access to the full text of many online journals, magazines, and newspapers through periodical subscriptions and full-text databases.  Use the Electronic Journal Finder link to search (default) or browse (choose the "Titles" tab) for available titles.  If you need assistance connecting with the full-text content, email the library or call the Reference Desk at (864) 379-4348.

Electronic Journal Finder

Electronic Books

Over 36,000 electronic books (or e-books) are available to Erskine students from NetLibrary.  The e-book collection is searchable from the NetLibray website or the McCain Library online catalog (SCOTTY).  Before using the collection, authorized Erskine users need to create a free personal NetLibrary account.

First-time NetLibrary e-book users: Getting started with NetLibrary

Registered NetLibrary e-book users: Search the e-book collection using NetLibrary or SCOTTY

Requesting Books and Journal Articles Owned by McCain Library

BOOKS in McCain Library:
If available for use, McCain Library will send a requested book from the library's collection to registered Erskine Seminary students through the Library Materials by Mail program.  (Use SCOTTY (online catalog) first to determine if McCain Library owns a particular book.)  At your request, the book is checked out in your name and sent to you via postal mail.  You are responsible for returning the book to McCain Library in time for it to be received on or before the due date.  You also are responsible for the cost of return postage.  Overdue fines apply at a rate of $0.10 per day per item.  Up to two renewals are permitted.  You may renew your books by email, online via SCOTTY, or by calling the Circulation Desk at (864) 379-8714.

Request a book from the McCain Library collection

JOURNAL ARTICLES in McCain Library:
Articles from journals are photocopied or scanned and sent as email attachments, by fax, or by postal mail.  Photocopies do not need to be returned to the library.

Request a journal article from the McCain Library collection

Interlibrary Loan (for items not owned by McCain Library)

Registered Erskine students may request materials owned by other libraries (books, articles, etc.) that are not available in the McCain Library collection.  You may request the use of this service by email, phone [(864) 379-8747], fax [(864) 379-2900], online ILL request form, or postal mail.  Materials are sent to the library, and the library then distributes the materials to you.

Online Library Research Guides

McCain Library provides general and subject-related online guides designed to assist you with your research needs and to instruct you in the use of various library services.  The library is continually working to create new guides, so continue to check this area of the library website.

Library Research Guides

Reference Assistance

Librarians are available to help you identify and locate information sources.  Contact the Reference Desk by email or phone [(864) 379-8784 or toll free (877) 876-4348].

Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements with Other Libraries

McCain Library participates in several reciprocal borrowing programs.  As a registered Erskine student, you may be able to borrow items in person from libraries in your local area.  For more information, contact the library.

South Carolina Statewide Library Borrowing Agreement:
Reciprocal library borrowing privileges are offered to students among 56 higher education institutions in the state of SC.

Atlanta Theological Association Borrowing Agreement:
Through the Atlanta Theological Association, McCain Library has a formal agreement with the libraries of the Candler School of Theology (Emory University), Columbia Theological Seminary, the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta University Center), and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

Other Borrowing Agreements:
McCain Library also has formal agreements with Davidson College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Montreat College, Paine College, Reformed Theological Seminary-Charlotte, Charleston County Library, Greenville County Library, Greenwood County Library, Greenwood Genetics Center, and Self Regional Healthcare Medical Library.

Other Services to Distance Learners

Beyond the library, here are some other Erskine services available to distance learners:

Erskine Campus Bookstore
Course textbooks, supplies, and Erskine merchandise are available for purchase from the Campus Bookstore.

EDEN Website
Access EDEN course content, online classrooms, syllabi, and policies.  For general inquiries, contact the EDEN office at 866.596.EDEN or eden@erskine.edu.

EDEN Technical Support
Send email to EDEN Technical Support to request technical/computer assistance related to accessing online EDEN course content or the EDEN program in general.

Moodle Online Classroom Environment
Access the Erskine Seminary online class content.  (Requires login by registered students)

Last updated: 5/9/2007

Top of Page