Tyndale House Library
Collection Development Policy
‘Recruit, Resource, Research, Reach out’
1. Statement of mission
a. Organization
The mission of Tyndale House is to grow an international research community, to present the value of the Bible at the highest academic level, to resource the church to understand and trust the Bible and promote informed attitudes to the Bible.
b. Library specific
The mission of the library is to resource the afore-mentioned international research community and to provide a substantial backdrop to recruitment and reaching out. The library is mindful of its four major distinctives:
Rare – The library is alone in the UK and much of the world in being entirely devoted to biblical studies. Its collections are only knowingly surpassed in quantity by the libraries of the Ecole biblique (Jerusalem) and the Pontifical Institute (Rome).
Reference – The library is maintained as a reference only collection to ensure that all materials are as accessible as possible for those who use it.
Residential – The library works on a desk booking system where readers have permanent and semi-personalized workspaces for the duration of their stay for maximum productivity.
Responsive to Requests – The library seeks to respond quickly to any requests for material by its readers so that it remains as relevant as possible for day-to-day research activities.
2. Strategy for collection development
a. Scope and background
Tyndale House Library was begun in 1944 as a ‘library and research centre devoted to the highest and most permanent interests of biblical scholarship’. Today its collections include approximately 45,000 monographs, 400 journals (200 current subscriptions) 60 e-journals, 4,000 e-books, and other electronic resources. These cover the key subject areas of biblical language and exegesis, with additional material on Ancient Near East studies, Jewish, Greco-Roman and Early Christian literature and contextual studies. Texts are collected regardless of language, though the dominant ones to date are English, German and French, with Hebrew and Greek found as part of many works. The collection shares the dual purpose of acquiring current relevant publications and acting as a repository for the discipline. The library also oversees several archive collections relating to the history of Tyndale House and individuals associated with it. A small collection of rare books and artefacts such as cuneiform tablets are also held. The budget is set annually for the library with new acquisitions taking a large share of the allocation. There is an aim to collect equally in Old Testament and New Testament studies, with further funds dedicated to resourcing Tyndale House Old and New Testament projects.
The library serves the needs of scholars working at postgraduate and postdoctoral levels in the field of biblical studies with admission based on renting desks in the library either short- or long-term. Because of a reciprocal arrangement with the University of Cambridge, the collections can also be used for free by Cambridge undergraduates and anyone may technically use the library on a hot desk basis. A remote reading service is also offered with reproductions of chapters and articles being offered and access to a growing collection of e-resources via OpenAthens. While the collections are geared towards biblical studies, the research community at Tyndale House represents a broader academic world covering classics, linguistics, church history and broader theology.
b. Aims
The purpose of the Collection Development Policy (CDP) is to clarify the fundamental principles which guide the development and maintenance of the library collections. It is intended to provide staff with the necessary confidence and knowledge to make good decisions with regards to the selection, acquisition and withdrawal of library resources. It is also intended to act as a public document to help readers and other interested parties better understand the scope of the library and future collecting activity.
3. Purpose of the collection
- The purpose of the library is to maintain and develop resources relevant to the pursuit of biblical studies at a postgraduate level.
- At the same time, the library seeks to fulfil the wider purpose of being a repository for all significant academic texts in biblical studies.
4. Collecting criteria
a. Subject areas
The library collects literature in the field of biblical studies. The main areas this includes are:
- Bible commentaries, criticism, and exegesis (221-229)
- Biblical theology (thematic or doctrinal studies involving biblical exegesis) (230-269)
- Biblical languages (800s)
- Bible manuscripts and textual criticism (220.014)
- Bible translations (220.05)
- Biblical archaeology (930s)
- Bible dictionaries and encyclopaedias (03.22)
- Ancient Near East studies (930s)
- Greco-Roman context (870s, 930s, 225.095)
- Second Temple literature (290s, 225.094)
- Early Christian literature (270-276)
[Or, following the Tyndale Classification Scheme:]
01-02 – Bibliography and Library Science
03 – Encyclopaedias, Dictionaries, Reference
220 – Bible
220.014 – Textual criticism and manuscripts
220.05 – Bible translations
220.06 – Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Symbolism, Typology
220.07 – Commentaries on the whole Bible
221-224 – Old Testament
225-228 – New Testament
229 – Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha
230s – Doctrinal Theology
240s – Moral and Practical Theology
250-260s – Pastoral Theology and Christian Church in general
230-260s are collected mostly as they deal primarily with biblical exegesis and are aimed at a postgraduate level – the question is always, could this be reclassified under the 220s?
270-276 – Early Church history and writings
296 – Judaism
870 – Classical languages
892 – Semitic languages
930s – Ancient Near East Studies
It may sometimes be appropriate to acquire peripheral material or items which support scholars in other ways, such as modern language dictionaries, or publications of interest to Evangelicals.
b. Formats
i. Monographs
The library aims to collect in hardcopy all titles directly relevant to biblical studies at a postgraduate level. Hardcopy has been and remains the preferred format for acquisition. This contributes to the aim that the library is a repository for biblical studies as well as a working collection. It also respects readers who appreciate the advantages of using both physical and electronic copies at different times.
ii. Journals
The library remains committed to subscriptions for relevant hardcopy journal issues. By preference, the library aims to purchase both print and electronic subscriptions. Because of difficulties with guaranteeing perpetual access to e-journal back-runs, and because of the stated commitment to be a repository for biblical studies, print journals remain an important part of the collection. This is in spite of readers’ preference for electronic use and the costs associated with subscriptions, binding and shelf space. Print journal policy should be assessed on an annual basis.
iii. Theses
The library has a historic collection of theses, most of which have been donated by scholars who undertook their studies whilst at Tyndale House. The library continues to accept donated theses in this way.
iv. Maps
A collection of maps (some very large) are kept in a cabinet in the Upper Hex. The collection is not actively being added to but new relevant acquisitions would be considered.
v. Pamphlets
There are several boxes of pamphlets and journal offprints stored in the Librarian’s office. These are not actively being added to and have limited records on the library catalogue. It is an aim of the library to investigate and review this collection, both for its usefulness and accessibility.
vi. E-Resources
There is a growing collection of e-resources including databases, e-journals, and e-books. There is overlap between these and the print collection. Sometimes e-books are acquired outside the scope of the CDP because these are bulk collections, chosen by the publisher, rather than by the customer. It is uncommon to find e-book collections dedicated only to biblical studies, but the library would rather acquire them than more general collections. Subscription arrangements vary, but the library seeks to acquire perpetual access to e-journal issues where possible and the largest amount of back-issue content depending on cost. Where this is not possible, reliance on print copies inevitably increases. The library is working towards all e-resources being made available remotely to readers via OpenAthens which was purchased in 2021.
vii. Rare Books
There is a small collection of rare books which have been separated from the main shelves and are kept in the Librarian’s Office for security reasons. The collection is added to from time to time by donation. Any future donations should have a clear relevance to biblical studies and/or the work of Tyndale House. Conditions in the Librarian’s Office are not particularly suitable for the storage of rare books and may be contributing to their slow decay. There are ongoing costs associated with housing these items long-term. Readers are welcome to consult the rare books but the full potential value of this collection has not yet been fully realized.
viii. Archives
A small collection of archives has been held at Tyndale House relating to the history of Tyndale House and Tyndale Fellowship, together with a number of personal papers. The last archive to be deposited was the Dick France Papers in 2013. Only the Donald Wiseman archive has been fully appraised and catalogued. The archive is kept in cupboards away from the main library and the conditions need to be monitored more closely.
ix. Artefacts
There is a collection of artefacts acquired by donation such as the Donald Wiseman cuneiform tablets. Some of these are permanently displayed in the Common Room. Beyond further donations, there is no active plan to increase this collection.
x. Professional Literature
The library maintains a small collection of literature on issues in librarianship for the benefit of staff. This is not made accessible to library readers.
c. Duplicate copies
The library does not aim to collect or keep multiple copies of the same work for lending purposes. Retaining older editions of a text will be considered if the older edition has an inherent value for academic study. Duplication of hardcopy texts in electronic form may, however, take place as both serve a different purpose.
d. Application of Selection Criteria
- New resources should be considered for selection if they are firstly within the scope of the library’s core subjects (see 4a) and secondly written principally for an academic audience.
- Copies of existing books may be purchased as replacements if it is cheaper to do so than having them repaired/rebound.
- Recommendations by library readers are actively encouraged and are prioritised for purchase and processing if needed for personal use.
- Works by authors associated with Tyndale House or in some other way part of the history of Tyndale House are collected at the discretion of the Librarian.
- Items falling outside of the biblical studies field may be purchased only in as much as they support biblical studies (e.g. classics, linguistics, church history, reference works, etc.), and/or if a reader needs them for their studies. On the whole, general theological works, practical and pastoral theology, ecclesiology, devotional, as opposed to academic works, are not added to the collection.
- Recently, a number of areas of the collection have been weeded covering Christian ethics, ecclesiology, pastoral theology, and the sacraments. These are all areas outside the usual selection criteria.
5. Statement of Responsibility
a. Library Staff
The librarian and deputy librarian oversee the application of the CDP in all areas of library development. They have responsibility for selection, purchase and disposal of materials and therefore must keep abreast of current trends in biblical studies resources. They initiate and maintain good relationships with academic staff and library users to encourage participation in collection development through requests for, ideas and feedback on library resources. Advice on significant deselection choices or new acquisitions should be sought, but staff have a duty to refer to the CPD at all times.
b. Academic Staff
Academics are responsible for supporting the library staff to maintain the collection in line with current needs for study and to suggest materials to fill gaps the collection. They are also responsible for identifying new publications in their specialisms and passing these on to the librarians for purchase. In particular, Tyndale House research projects may require a special level of library acquisitions tailored to very specific needs.
c. Readers
Readers and remote users of the library are encouraged to inform library staff of weaknesses in the collection and to identify and suggest items needed for their research. This involves filling out the Arrivers and Leavers email surveys and making requests or giving feedback during their visit.
6. Donations
The library welcomes donations of hardcopy publications from individuals and encourages readers to send copies of their own publications and theses. Donations will only be accepted if the content meets the selection criteria outlined above. Unnecessary duplication of existing library stock should be avoided. The acceptance of large donations will inevitably have an impact on space issues in the library and will need staff time to process satisfactorily. Donations should become the property of Tyndale House and can be disposed of in accordance with the CDP if required.
7. Preservation and Conservation
The library is heavily used and books and journals are liable to deteriorate. Journal issues are regularly bound up and books identified as in a bad condition should also be sent for rebinding or be replaced (whichever is most cost effective). Some in-house repairs to books are undertaken by staff. It is important to monitor the state of the collection and the environmental conditions, especially as the library moves beyond its 75th anniversary.
8. Resource sharing
The library is well-placed to develop relationships with other libraries in Cambridge and beyond. Tyndale House enjoys a reciprocal relationship with the University of Cambridge as an affiliated institution. Readers in the library are able to use all e-resources purchased by the University Library through the library Wi-fi and are able to be granted access to the University Library in person as ‘visiting fellows’. In return, Tyndale House offers hot desk use to all undergraduate and postgraduate students of the university for free. Inevitably this access to resources may affect Tyndale House library purchases of the same material. The library is a member of ABTAPL and encourages good relationships with other theological libraries. There is a reciprocal scanning service offered between ABTAPL libraries where articles and book chapters are not otherwise available to readers.
9. Stock withdrawal and disposal
Library material should be regularly assessed and disposed of as appropriate. Deselection occurs when the material is deemed to no longer fit in with the selection criteria and/or is significantly underused. Factors for consideration should include whether the items are found elsewhere in other Cambridge libraries, how rare they are, what condition they are in, whether they have been superseded by newer editions, whether there are any e-copies available, whether the item belongs to any historic collection at Tyndale House.[1] The library should be working towards more accurately recording usage of the collections to inform deselection work, although underuse is not the only measure of an item’s valid place in the collection. The library is committed to investigating ways of increasing its capability to measure the use of its stock, both electronic and hardcopy, either through issuing and returning books on the Library Management System or through built-in monitoring features which come with e-resources.
10. Review process and frequency
The CDP should be reviewed annually and changes should be communicated to the LT.
As of February 2022, it has been agreed that this document should be accepted on a trial basis to be reviewed after 6 months (i.e. July 2022).
This was reviewed in July 2022 and no reworking was judged to be necessary.
Matthew Baalham, Deputy Librarian
1st February 2022
(Amended July 2022)
[1] Such as books which have been donated to the library by significant individuals associated with Tyndale House and biblical studies.