About Turpin Library Resources and Services

Turpin Library is a private library owned and operated by Dallas Theological Seminary. The mission of the library is to assist DTS faculty and students in their teaching, learning, research, and course-related ministry, by providing information resources, reference assistance, instruction in research methods, study facilities, and writing and media production resources.

Orientation for Newbies

• Use standard DTS login credentials to access library databases. Use your DTS ID card to borrow books.
• For DTS students
• For DTS faculty
• For DTS grads
• For visitors/guests and those taking free non-credit informal courses

General Collections and Facilities

• General Collections and Facilities including main service points. And just for fun: the library in 1944!
• 2023-24 DTS library statistics. For the statistics junkies: how many books the library owns, how many were borrowed, how many online journal articles were downloaded, etc. Also includes a brief discussion of challenges and changes. See also 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2010-11. In reports before 2023-24, the circulation count included renewals and ILL lending. But, following IPEDS and ATS, we now exclude those. In reports written before 2023-24, the physical collection count was based on volumes or other physical pieces. But following IPEDS and ATS, we now count based on titles, not volumes. Therefore, you will see some contradictions if you compare an old report with a recent report.
• Special Collections, including Archives and rare book collections
• Media Center and Computer Lab.
• Collection goals. What we attempt to collect.
• Gift Book Procedures. Thinking of donating some used books or other materials to the library? Here is an overview of procedures.
• Library calendar. Days and hours of operation. Holidays. See also information about Emergency and Unscheduled Closings.
• Library news and events. Exhibits. Announcements. Events.
• Map/travel directions to campus.
• Contact library. Address, phone, fax, email info.

Special Collections

• Introduction to Special Collections. Description and Policies for Archives and Rare book collections
• DTS catalogs.
• Finding Aids. Inventories, indexes, and guides to the DTS archival collections. Use them to help you find specific documents relevant to your interests.
• Records of the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. Archival records of the ICBI are housed at DTS and available for use but finding aids have not yet been created.
• Scofield Papers. Description of materials related to C. I. Scofield.
• William Henry Griffith Thomas Papers. Based on Spring 2011 exhibit.
• Rollin T. Chafer. Based on Fall 2015 exhibit.
• Rare Bible Exhibit. Photos and descriptions of some rare Bibles based on Fall 2004 exhibit.
• 80th Anniversary Exhibit. Highlights from the History of Dallas Theological Seminary, 1924-2004, based on Spring 2005 exhibit. Also related chronology.

General Services and Policies

Official policies and rules are outlined in House Rules. General services are as follows.

How to ask for help:

• Contact library staff.
• Request a book/thesis via InterLibrary Loan.
• Request a copy of a Journal Article via InterLibrary Loan.

What is happening when:

• Days and hours open.
• Unscheduled closings. How to obtain information if the campus and library close due to extreme weather or emergency conditions.
• Library news and events. Exhibits. Announcements. Events.

Services we provide for you:

• Services for faculty, including adjunct and extension campus faculty
• Services for DTS Students Who Live in the Dallas Area.
• Services for DTS Students Who Live in the United States but Outside the Dallas Area.
• Services for DTS Students Who Live Outside the United States
• Services for ADA impaired
• Services for DTS grads.
• Services for visitors, including everyone who visits a campus including registered courtesy-card users.
• Services for the general public. These are people unaffiliated with the seminary and unable to visit a campus.

Rules and FAQ:

• ** House Rules **. Public services policies and rules.
• FAQ on operations and policies. Answers to questions about fines, renewals, noise, temperature, copiers, reserved carrels, closing time, missing books, group study rooms, and much more.