Digital Commons Network^™

The Core Virtue Of Christian Librarianship, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Christian librarians should derive their professional ethics from methodical exegesis of the Bible. The New Testament’s most salient ethical statements center on love--for God, neighbor, and fellow believers. Each of these has significant implications for library practice. Identifying love as the core virtue of librarianship represents a radical departure from secular approaches to library ethics. While the biblical and secular models converge on some significant points, they are fundamentally opposite. Where the two reach similar conclusions, the biblical model proves to be more philosophically consistent. The Scriptures speak with enduring relevance to the issues facing librarians.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: Avoiding Plagiarism In Christian Writing And Speaking, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Plagiarism is an ethical breach involving the misuse of others' intellectual property. Instances of alleged plagiarism have discredited various Christian ministers and authors. Various style manuals provide guidelines for acknowledging direct quotation, paraphrasing, and other uses of sources. Preachers and teachers should adapt those guidelines to the context of verbal communication.

Documentation Style As Rhetorical Device: A Comparative Analysis Of Two Bibliographic Systems, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

The documentation styles developed by the Modern Language Association and the American Psychological Association reflect divergent assumptions regarding the apprehension and communication of knowledge. Each system expresses its rhetorical character through the aims it articulates, the sources it values, and the formats it prescribes for in-text citations and bibliographic references. Like other scholarly writing conventions, documentation styles are not arbitrary, but both shape and are shaped by the discourse communities that they serve. Emerging scholars need to be acculturated purposively to the conventions of their respective communities, while authors should consciously select bibliographic systems that support their rhetorical aims.

The Professional Development Of Academic Librarians: How Should Institutions Contribute To The Process?, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Professional development is universally recognized in education and librarianship as imperative for ongoing effectiveness. Most—though not all—academic libraries support professional development through financial assistance and release time. However, while funding and release time are necessary to professional growth, they are not sufficient. The role of the leader as a steward of organizational culture suggests that academic library administrators should concern themselves with fostering an environment conducive to their subordinates’ professional development. Innovative professional development programs in place at a number of academic libraries stand as a corrective to the seemingly haphazard practices of many libraries and librarians. Further research on …

Intellectual Freedom And The Bible College Library, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

A number of evangelical Christian authors have grappled with the subject of intellectual freedom--few, though, in the context of Bible college libraries. The secular concept of intellectual freedom is incompatible with Bible colleges in that it is absolutist and shuns any standard of morality. Theological, educational, and pragmatic factors indicate that Bible college libraries should provide access to a broad range of information resources, irrespective of the positions they espouse, except to the extent that such openness poses a serious threat to the fulfillment of their sponsoring institutions’ mission. To this end, Bible college libraries should take positive action to …

Academic Libraries In Transition: Current Trends, Future Prospects, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Academic libraries are in transition because of changes in the context of higher education. Changes in the world of information are even more radical: the displacement of paper, the primacy of the search engine, the emergence of the digital lifestyle, and innovative patterns of scholarly communication. Decreasing reliance on local collections is transforming the library as a physical destination. Traditional measures of library success have begun to be replaced. Given the superiority of other information professionals' data management skills, the role of academic librarians will shift toward the enablement of learning. This environment of upheaval will pose both opportunities and …

Baptist Ministerial Education In The United States, 1850-1950, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Baptist ministerial education in America expanded and changed significantly between 1850 and 1950. This evolutionary process was the product of religious, educational, political, and other forces. Many Baptists of the period opposed ministerial education, believing that the proper qualification for ministry was a divine calling rather than any human achievement. The education of ministers was a major motivating factor in the founding of most Baptist colleges, but many other factors contributed as well. The ministry training curriculum was a matter of debate in various areas—not least the tension between academic and practical concerns. Major Baptist educational leaders of the period …

Connecting People And Purpose: A Christian Theory Of Library Leadership, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Presents a theory of library leadership that integrates biblical principles with professional wisdom. Discusses leadership in five dimensions: character, purpose, servanthood, balance, communication, and lifelong learning.

Evangelical Author & Secular Publisher: Prospects For Partnership, Gregory A. Smith, Rachel Schwedt

Gregory A. Smith

Presenters discuss issues for authors to consider when choosing between religious and secular publishing outlets, providing context from their personal experiences with secular publishers.

Christian Libraries For The Next Generation: Expanding Access To Evangelical Literature, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Recent changes in the world of information present unique challenges and opportunities for the dissemination of evangelical literature. This report suggests six ways that the Association of Christian Librarians can support evangelical education and scholarship in a context that is increasingly global, Web-based, and free from the confines of the traditional college campus. Implementing a combination of these strategies could make evangelical literature much more accessible via the Web, the dominant delivery platform of our day. However, choices among available strategies must take account of competition within the marketplace.

Theological Librarianship—Is It Ministry?, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Describes theological librarianship as a form of religious ministry, falling short of equating it with pastoral or missionary work. Supports this conclusion by summarizing selected contributions to the literature of theological and Christian librarianship, using Andrew Keck's "Information or Divine Access: Theological Librarianship within the Context of a Ministry" as a theoretical foundation.

The Integration Of Faith And Learning: Perspectives On The Librarian's Role, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Discusses various definitions of the integration of Christian faith and learning in view of applying it to the field of librarianship. Offers three arguments for the feasibility of a uniquely Christian approach to librarianship. Names four organizations that have furthered the integration of Christian faith and librarianship. Identifies five theoretical and moral issues that Christian information professionals may face as they seek to integrate faith and profession.

Retooling The Profession: Librarianship In An Era Of Accountability And Competition, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Librarianship has changed substantially in recent years. We who work in libraries must continually acquire new knowledge and skills. We must adapt to the reality that academic libraries, along with their parent institutions, face increased accountability. The functions that many of us have thought to be at the core of our profession are slipping from our grasp and will leave behind a mere managerial role. Nevertheless, many academic libraries will find a viable future by adopting and taking seriously the role of supporting learning. As we look at disruptive innovators in the information and learning scene, we should consider carefully …

The Role Of The Library In The Character Formation Of The Christian College Student, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Attempts to resolve the tension between social responsibility and professional neutrality that librarians employed in Christian college contexts may sense. Discusses the moral aims of Christian higher education. Argues that libraries on Christian campuses can inculcate God-honoring values in at least four areas. Discusses five means through which Christian librarians can contribute to students' moral development.

A Survey Of Religious Book Publishing With Implications For Collection Development In Christian College Libraries, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Discusses five sources of religious books. Profiles the religious book publishing industry. Describes a delicate balance between ministry and industry. Situates religious book publishing in its cultural context. Discusses implications for collection development in libraries at evangelical Christian colleges.

Returning To The Sources: The Literature Of Christian Librarianship, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith