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Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is expected of the host institution?
What are the costs and benefits to the host
institution?
Who is involved in the Theological Book
Network?
What types of books are shipped?
Why are older books shipped?
Why books instead of electronic media?
Why are most of the books in English?
How can a Western institution help?
What are the advantages to Western theological
libraries?
How can an individual help?
What are advantages to individuals?
What happens to the books I donate?
How are shipments to the Theological
Book Network arranged?
How do we receive a shipment?
How do we contact the Theological Book
Network?
What is expected of the host institution?
The host institution takes responsibility for arranging for
a network of libraries in their region to share in the shipment.
This includes getting the shipment through customs, coordinating
inland transportation to the host institution, and arranging
for a fair and equitable distribution of books to local institutions.
What are the costs and benefits to the host institution?
The Theological Book Network covers the cost of the books
and the shipping to the nearest port city. Typically the host
institution initially covers domestic shipping charges and
customs duties. The host may then share the shipping costs
and customs charges with the libraries receiving books. For
their efforts, the host institution is allowed first choice
of book selection, within pre-established Theological Book
Network guidelines.
Who is involved in the Theological Book Network?
The Theological Book Network is endorsed by the American
Theological Library Association and by the Bibliothèques
Européenes de Théologie, and receives book
donations from university libraries, theological and academic
publishers, and faculty members.
What types of books are shipped? A Sample of our books.
A typical shipment will include Biblical commentaries, New
Testament history, Hebrew Bible and background, Biblical languages,
church history, missiology, philosophy, ethics, and theological
reference material. A shipment will include good condition
ex-library books, as well as new books. We also include long
print runs of significant theological journals, such as Catholic
Bible Quarterly, Journal of Biblical Literature, Church History,
Theology Today, and Interpretations. All material is academically
substantial or historically significant. We send material
that is structurally sound or needs only minor repairs. Most
books will be unmarked, but some may have pencil marks, underlining,
library stamps, etc. The materials sent represent a broad
spectrum of theological, confessional, historical and denominational
traditions and methodologies, which represent Roman Catholic,
Protestant and Orthodox scholarship. The Theological Book
Network does not send devotional materials, sermonic collections,
inspirational or popular literature.
Why are older books shipped?
The best books on a topic may have been written twenty, thirty
or a hundred years ago. Thus you can expect to find a number
of older titles and authors. e.g., Chrysostom, Augustine,
Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Mennos Simons, Edwards, Newman, Harnack,
Barth, and Bonhoeffer to name a few. They represent a small
portion of the history of the literature in the field; the
scholarly value of the content has not necessarily diminished.
Why books instead of electronic media?
Why send books? That is a question we are frequently asked.
In the West, much has been made about the disappearance of
books in the coming years. We are told that computers will
soon replace books. Moreover, the global advance of technology
is presented as a given, a force with a life of its own that
is unstoppable. Perhaps. We don’t deny the important
role technology has and will play in society, both ours and
around the world. But we are conscious of both the limits
of technology and the fact that technology’s growth
does not happen in a vacuum, but depends upon a range of issues
and services. Currently, political instability, corruption,
and a poor infrastructure all limit the role of technology
in many parts of the Majority World. Someday the situation
will likely change, but that day is not tomorrow. (For more
information about the need for books, click
here.)
So why books? Because one does not need electricity to read
a book. Moreover, the printed text is portable in a way computers
are not. Books can be taken into rural areas where electricity
is virtually non-existent. They can be dropped, kicked around,
become covered with dust, and yet they can still be read and
easily shared with others. Compared with computers and electricity,
books are relatively cheap and the accessibility they offer
will continue to be important for decades to come
Why are most of the books in English
English is the new Latin.
In earlier periods Latin was the universal language for theological
education; now nearly half of all church related colleges and
universities in the world use English as at least one of the
languages of classroom instruction. One Eastern European seminary
has students from fifteen distinctively different countries.
English is the only language common to all the students. Because
it is the language of commerce it has also become the language
of scholarship. The Theological Book Network recognizes that
vast theological and historical resources of the church are
currently available to much of the world only through Western
languages (principally English) and Western publishers. Until
the church can develop literature in vernaculars to serve
all of the church it is important to do our best to give leaders
and educators everywhere access to the resources that do exist.
Just because it is in English, however, does not mean that
a book has value or usefulness in other parts of the world;
books which have only North American relevance are not included
in Theological Book Network shipments.
How can a Western institution help?
The Theological Book Network invites libraries and universities
to join us in collecting theological books and print journals
to distribute around the world. Learn more about supporting
the network as an institution.
What are the advantages to Western theological libraries?
For theological libraries the Theological Book Network is
an inexpensive way to re-distribute excess books and can help
maintain good donor relations by accepting gifts they might
otherwise have to turn down.
How can an individual help?
The Theological Book Network needs good quality hardcover
and soft cover books and journals in the humanities and social
sciences, particularly in the fields of theology, history,
philosophy and literature. Shipping Instructions. We also need your financial support.
What are advantages to individuals?
Donations and shipping costs of books and cash contributions
are tax deductible.
What happens to the books I donate?
Every donation we receive is sorted for condition, content and suitability in a global theological context. The large majority of all donations are distributed overseas. Inevitably, TBN receives some books that, for any number of reasons, do not fit the needs of schools we serve. Books in this category include novels, art books, devotional literature, “How-to books” and the like. Most of these books are distributed locally to area thrift shops and non-profits. A few are sold on-line. TBN also sells or trades, on occasion, theological titles, usually esoteric in nature, that we are unable to place overseas. The proceeds from the sale of these books is used to underwrite shipping costs or acquire multiple copies of books we do need. Occasionally donations are made with the stipulation that they be sold for the purpose of raising funds for the Theological Book Network. Finally, TBN also recycles some books, especially those in poor condition. Every book we receive it put to its best possible use.
How are shipments to the Theological Book Network arranged?
Contact Wayne Bornholdt, Director of Acquisitions.
How do we contact the Theological Book Network?
Theological Book Network. Inc.
2900 Wilson Ave., Suite 307
Grandville MI 49418
Individuals can be contacted through our Contact Us page.
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