NOTE: Links to library resources listed below will not work when this page is accessed from off-campus. To use these resources, please go to the Library Web Page, where you can connect to Articles and Databases after providing your Elmhurst College technology account login and password. If you do not know your E.C. login and password, please see Computer Services, Room 107 CSTC.

Using ATLA and ATLAS to Research Journal Literature

ATLA Religion Database

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.

To effectively search for Scripture citations in ATLA, choose the Search Fields icon in the toolbar across the top of the screen. Several options should be combined to find the most article citations:
SW (Scripture citation word)
SR (Scripture citation)
UT (Uniform title as subject browse)

To use the Scripture citation options, enter as much of the Scripture citation as desired with a minimum of book and chapter, eg. Mark 6 45-52 or just Mark 6 (don't use a colon between chapter and verse). Click Perform Search to retrieve a list of citations immediately, or choose Display Index(es) to see the different ways the Scripture citation has been entered into the database. Select the most appropriate listings, then Perform Search.

To use the Uniform Title option, enter as much of the Scripture citation as desired but in the following format:
bible nt mark vi or just bible nt mark. Chapters in this search field are indicated by lowercase Roman numerals.

When looking at the list of references, click Library Holdings on a particular reference to determine if the library owns the journal in print or microfilm. Also be sure to check Journals and Magazines Available Online for electronic access to journals, including those included in the ATLA Serials project (ATLAS). If the article you seek is unavailable from these sources, please request it using our online Interlibrary Loan article request form.

A note about ATLAS: ATLAS is not a complete database, only covering about 60 journals. It is best used when looking for a specific article in a particular journal rather than a topical search.

Using Illinet Online and Worldcat to Research Books

Reference books on Biblical topics are located on the main floor of the library with call numbers R220-R229; circulating books are on the lower level and have call numbers of 220-229. Use Illinet Online to find books and/or videos about your topic. Use Browse Subject to find topics most easily. Type in your topic and submit your search.

To find Scripture criticism or commentary try searches like these:

• Bible N.T. Romans
• Bible N.T. Philippians commentaries
• Bible dictionaries

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 ILCSO Libraries to expand your search to more than 40 academic libraries in Illinois. Items that are not available at Elmhurst but appear in the catalog may be requested directly in Illinet Online. Please ask a librarian if you need assistance.

Additionally, Worldcat is an international combined catalog of more than 44,000 libraries. Use WorldCat to find information about items that are not available in Illinet Online. Items not available through Illinet may be ordered using our online Interlibrary Loan book request form.