Using ATLA to Research Journal Literature

ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials

This database, produced by the American Theological Library Association (ATLA), covers religious topics such as Biblical studies, world religions, Church history, and religious perspectives on social issues. The database contains citations to journal articles, essays and chapters in books, and book reviews from 1949 to the present. It is updated twice yearly. In addition, ATLASerials links users to the full text from about 75 theological journals.

To effectively search for Scripture citations in ATLA, choose "Scriptures" in the toolbar across the top of the screen. In the search box, enter book and chapter, eg. Mark 6, then click Browse. [NOTE: Books that have a 1st or 2nd should be formatted like this: Corinthians, 1st (including the comma).] Select at least one item (associated items may spread across several pages), then click Search 

When searching for books of the Apocrypha, do not use the "Scriptures" button. Instead, choose "Indexes," then use the following format: Bible (OT) Apocrypha. This will take you to a list of subjects, including separate listings for each Apocryphal book. Select one item, then click Add. The appropriate search information will be filled into the search box at the top of the screen; then click Search.

How to find the text (and print) of an article:

1. The article may have a statement that says either "Linked Full Text" or "Full Text From ATLA: Click here for electronic resource." Click on either of these links and the full text of the article will appear.
   • To print an article, first note the page numbers of the article from the citation page. Choose Print from the yellow menu bar at the top of the screen. Enter the page numbers in the page range boxes, then click Redisplay. The pages will display (small) individually. When all pages have loaded, click once on one of the displayed pages, then go to File|Print Preview. At the top of the preview screen, change "As laid out on screen" to "Only the selected frame," then click Print.
2. If the above text does not appear, the article may be available from another source. Click the  button to see if it is available online, in print in the library, or to request it through interlibrary loan.
   

Using I-Share and WorldCat to Research Books

Circulating books on Biblical topics are located on the lower level of the library and have call numbers of 220-229. Use I-Share to find books and/or videos about your topic. Use Subject Heading to find topics most easily. Type in your topic and submit your search.

To find Scripture criticism or commentary try searches like these:

• Bible O.T. Genesis
• Bible N.T. Philippians commentaries
• Bible N.T. Corinthians 1st criticism interpretation
  
• Bible dictionaries
• Bible O.T. Apocrypha

To find information on people and ideas, try searches such as these:

• Paul, the apostle, saint
• Law and gospel
• Grace (theology)

If you do not find what you need at Elmhurst, click Repeat Search in the I-Share Catalog to expand your search to 65 academic/research libraries in Illinois. Items that are not available at Elmhurst but appear in the catalog may be requested directly in I-Share. Please ask a librarian if you need assistance.

Additionally, Worldcat is a worldwide combined catalog of more than 57,000,000 records. Use WorldCat to find information about items that are not available in I-Share. Items found in Worldcat may be ordered using our online Interlibrary Loan book request form.

Scripture Commentary Series and Reference Books

The library has many volumes of several Biblical commentary series. To see all volumes of a particular series, go to I-Share and search for any of the following as a Start of Title:

• Word Biblical Commentary
• Bible English. Anchor Bible
• Hermeneia
• Interpretation

Reference books on Biblical topics are located on the main floor of the library with call numbers R220-R229. Here are several reference sources that may be helpful in studying Scripture:

• Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 vols.) R 220.3 A539
• Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (4 vols. + supplements) R 220.3 I61
  
• New Interpreter's Bible (12 vols.) R 220.7 N532 1994 (includes a volume on the Apocryphal books)
  
• Oxford Bible Commentary R 220.7 O98
• Harper Atlas of the Bible R 220.91 H293
• Westminster Historical Atlas to the Bible R 220.91 W949w2
• New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (5 vols.) R 221.3 N532
• New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (4 vols.) R 225.3 N532
• Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (1974-present) R 221.3 B751t