Religion Collections in Libraries and Archives: A Guide to Resources in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Table of Contents - Preface/Acknowledgements - Abbreviations Lists of Entries: District of Columbia - Maryland - Virginia

Liberty University Library

Access Policies

All patrons are able to have access to all in-library services, with the following exceptions: non-University personnel must purchase a community library card in order to have borrowing privileges for book materials, and interlibrary loan will only be performed for University personnel.

Reference Policy:

Telephone and mail reference questions are accepted, although University personnel and students are the highest priority. The Library tries to accommodate as many requests as possible.

Borrowing Privileges:

Borrowing privileges are available to staff and students of Liberty University. The public may borrow books if they purchase a community card.

Networks/Consortia:

OCLC, Lynchburg Metropolitan Area Cooperative, SOLINET. Library holdings are listed in OCLC.

Background Note:

Founded by Jerry Falwell in 1971.

Description of Collections

Books and monographs:

50-60,000 books relating to religion with publication dates from 1880 to present. The collection has a strong Baptist emphasis with a particular strength in the Independent Baptist Movement including both its doctrine and growth during this century. The collection also reflects an emphasis by faculty on the theology and practical aspects of current church growth.

There is an automated catalog (Dynix system) with coverage for all but a few thousand microfilm materials.

Periodicals and newspapers:

Approximately 200 journals and newspaper subscriptions with publication dates from 1890 to present. The historical and current Baptist Church is the main emphasis although it tends to cover theology in general more broadly than the book collection.

This collection is arranged alphabetically.

Archives, manuscripts, correspondence, and oral histories:

The Dr. Jerry Falwell Collection contains several thousand pieces of information related to the history of the ministry of Dr. Falwell. The collection was begun by Liberty University in the mid-1980s and covers Falwell's work from about the time of the founding of the University in 1971. This collection includes articles, clippings, artifacts, and other materials tracing the growth of Dr. Falwell's ministry and the history of Liberty University. The collection does not include Falwell's personal papers.

Curator: Mr. Russell File at (804) 582-2591.

Databases, CD-ROMS, and other machine-readable sources:

ATLA Religion Database on CD-Rom.

Subject Headings