Gamble Library, Union Theological College
Belfast
Union Theological College, 108 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JT
028 9020 5093
Union Theological College Library
Joy Conkey, Librarian
The Gamble Library primarily exists to support the work of the Union Theological College, namely: equipping students with theological literacy that will enable them to flourish as individuals and make positive contributions to society and culture; training effective ministers to lead Christ’s church in its calling in the world and resourcing all in the church by providing a hub for learning and research. This is achieved by supplying Union College staff, students, alumni, Presbyterian ministers, church workers, and if appropriate, the wider community, with the relevant academic, practical and historical resources, containing the timely, accurate and quality-assured information, they require. The Library facilitates the teaching, learning, research, personal and professional development of its members through the organisation, management and development of suitable collections, in any appropriate media, access to worldwide information sources and information literacy instruction. The Gamble Library’s main user community are the staff and students of Union Theological College. The Library also serves its paying members which include: Ministers, Deaconesses, Accredited Preachers and Auxiliary Ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and other members of the public.
Any member of the public can visit the Library during our public opening hours. However, contacting the Library prior to visiting is advisable.
Public opening hours: 09:00–16:30, Monday to Friday. Extended hours are available to staff and students of Union Theological College
There is a lift from the ground floor to the Library on the first floor. A short flight of stairs is the only way to enter the periodicals room.
Interlibrary loans are available to other institutions by request. Visitors are permitted to read in the Library but have no borrowing rights. Membership is open to members of the public on the payment of a membership fee.
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eBooks, databases, and other electronic journals are available to staff and student members. Pamphlet collections. Hardcopy theses. Some DVDs, CDs and CDROMS.
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All main branches of theology with a particular emphasis on Presbyterianism. The Library also holds a significant Irish history collection.
Rare books over 1,000 of which are listed on the English Short Title Catalogue. Magee and Assembly’s College Pamphlet Collections. Presbyterian Mission Archive. F.J. Paul Collection.
Various presbytery, synod and committee minutes from 18th– 20th centuries. The Presbyterian Mission Archive includes manuscripts.
Presbyterianism, especially Irish. Irish Church history. C. S. Lewis. Karl Barth. Jonathan Edwards.
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC, Heritage Cirqa). Some older uncatalogued materials are listed on card catalogues or printed lists. Some special collections are listed on an electronic inventory.
Printing and photocopying. Students and alumni have access to the computer suite in the periodicals room. Free wifi throughout the Library and College.
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New validation arrangement with St Mary’s University, Twickenham for undergraduate Theology degrees commencing in September 2022. A growing number of postgraduate courses and research degrees, including those completely online, awarded by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland (PTFI).
The Gamble Library is the largest theological Library in Northern Ireland. It housed the Parliament of Northern Ireland between 1921 and 1932, prior to the construction of Stormont.