Home » Ralph B. Gehring Library

The collection of the Ralph B. Gehring Library is owned by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus and administered by the Loyola School of Theology. The LST library is intended primarily for the use of its faculty and students. Limited access is provided for non-LST researchers.

The LST Library has one of the best theological library collections in Southeast Asia. The library was created from the merging of materials from two Jesuit institutions, the San Jose Major Seminary and Berchman’s College, in 1955. Presently, it houses in three floor levels an approximate 113,000 volumes of books and periodicals that complement the LST program of instruction and the Jesuit character of the institution.

The Ground Floor contains general circulation books; the Second Floor holds journals and periodicals as well as individual study rooms; the Third Floor hosts the reference books section, newly-processed journals and books, class reserved books, LST theses and dissertations, card catalogs, the circulation counter, common study rooms, computer work stations, photocopying and scanning facilities, bag storage area, and staff offices.

Library Hours and Service
The library is open from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, throughout most of the year. It is closed on Sundays, school or legal holidays, and announced days for inventory or other purposes. Upon entering the library, a client must present a validated ID card with his/her photo on it and register in the library users’ logbook. Bags, brief cases, knapsacks, umbrellas, etc. must be left in the depository area found near the entrance.

The library main door is equipped with a sensing device that detects library books that have not been properly checked out at the circulation counter. If the device sounds an alarm, the exiting client must return to the counter and allow his/her bag, briefcase, etc. to be inspected.

Library Materials
Periodicals (bound or unbound), reference books, theses and dissertations, and reserved books are not loaned out of the library. They may be used only inside the library. Only books in the general circulation section may be loaned out of the library. After use, all library materials should not be returned to the shelves, but should be left on the reading tables for re-shelving by the library staff.

Fines
Fines are imposed on overdue book loans (P5.00 per book per day). The due date for a book loan is the latest date stamped on the due date slip at the inside back cover of the book. For books lost by the borrower, the damages charged to the borrower include the cost of replacing and processing the book as well as any overdue fines related to the book.

Clearances
Students who have not returned overdue books or who have overdue fines and/or unpaid reimbursement charges are not allowed to register in the next term. Delinquent cross-registrants are not given clearances for the release of their grades and/or transcripts. Offenders who are about to finish their studies in LST cannot not be given clearance for graduation as well as for the release of their grades, transcripts, and diplomas.

Library Computer Room
Computers linked to the Internet are available to library users. Special guidelines govern the use of these computers. Computer printing can be arranged with the circulation desk for a fee. The library makes available to clients bibliographical as well as theological resource materials on the LST website (OPAC and EBSCO).

Library Online Public Access Catalogue
On every floor of the library building special computers are available for searching the library online public access catalogue (OPAC). The OPAC is also accessible through the Internet.

Photocopying and Scanning
A self-service photo-copying machine is available for a fee. Scanning is available for free with the assistance of a library staff member. Fragile materials can only be scanned, not photocopied. Students and faculty who are not able to come to the library may request for scans of books or journals through an email sent to the Library Director (egenilo@lst.edu).

Library Decorum
The library is a silent study area. Loud conversations and other disturbances must be avoided. Cell phones must be turned off or placed on silent mode at all times.

opac

Web OPAC

mikado

mikado OPAC

ebsco logo

EBSCOHOST LST

( off – campus )

ebsco logo

EBSCOHOST Ateneo

( on-campus )

The Ralph B. Gehring Library serves as the information arm of the Loyola School of Theology (LST). It is committed to the acquisition, organization, dissemination, and preservation of theological resources in all formats.

the collection

Ground Floor

General Circulation (CIRC)

These include books on various subjects on various fields of theology, philosophy, pastoral ministry, and psychology. These books can be loaned out for a maximum of two (2) weeks, and a possibility of renewal. It has two special sections: Oversize (OVE) and Pamphlets (PAM).

Pamphlets (PAM)

These are books and other reading materials that have 50 pages and below. These materials are housed in separate shelves for easy retrieval and access.

Oversize (OVE)

These are books that are taller than regular books. A separate shelf is given to these books for proper organization, easy retrieval, and access. These materials can be loaned out as general circulation books.

Second Floor

Periodicals

These are bound professional and popular journals and magazines that cover various fields of study related to the academic and pastoral programs of LST. These materials cannot be loaned out but may be scanned or photocopied in the premises. There is a separate oversize section for periodicals that are taller than regular journals. A list of periodical titles is available at the circulation counter on the third floor. Online access to journals is available through the EBSCO services of LST Library (off-campus) and the Ateneo Rizal Library (on-campus).

Maps

These are large-size maps used by students, faculty and lecturers for classroom discussions. These can be borrowed by faculty but must be returned within the day.

third Floor

General References (REF)

These includes reference materials for common use such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, church documents, biblical commentaries, directories, etc. These books are for room use only.

Non-prints Media

These are materials in old Beta and VHS formats. These materials can be loaned out for a maximum of 2 weeks with a possibility of renewal.

Theses (THE)

This section contains theses and dissertations from the Berchman’s College collection and the degree programs of LST and the Ateneo de Manila University. These materials are for room use only.

Reserve Shelf

These shelves hold the reading materials of faculty in their respective subject areas to be used by their students as references. These includes materials from the LST library collection and the personal collection of faculty. These materials are for room use only.

online database

Web OPAC

The online public access catalog (OPAC) is an online database of the Ralph B. Gehring Library. The OPAC provides the bibliographical information and call numbers of books in General Circulation (Including OVE and PAM) and General References. The OPAC book search results will indicate if the book is available for check-out or not.

Mikado OPAC

This is a database composed of mission-related materials from the library collections of the Missionary Association of St. Francis Xavier in Aachen, the mission library of the Jesuits in Bonn, part of the library of the Comboni Missionary Institute in Ellwange, and other personal collections.

EBSCOHost Ateneo Library (On-Campus Use)

The Ateneo Rizal Library EBSCO collection of databases includes the AtlaSerials PLUS® database, which is the premier index to journal articles, book reviews, and collections of essays in all fields of religion. It also includes the ATLA Historical Monographs Collections 1 and 2, the Christian Periodical Index, New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, OMNIFILE Full Text Select, and the Religion and Philosophy Index.

EBSCOHost LST (Off-Campus Use)

LST EBSCOhost collection contains AtlaSerials PLUS, Religion Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. It is open for faculty and currently enrolled students. Access is found in the LST Integrated Student Information System.

New Book Acquisition / Processed

Buying the Field: Catholic Religious Life in Mission to the World


(Schneiders, Sandra M., 2014) In this third and final volume of the Religious Life in a New Millennium series, Sandra Schneiders continues her rethinking of the traditional religious vows in the context of postmodernism. She reaches back into the gospels for the meaning of “world” in order to discern the meaning of renunciation of the “world” by religious, and how that tradition needs to be rethought for our times while keeping in mind the prophetic character of religious life that enables witness and ministry. The vow of poverty is examined, both in its economic and spiritual sense (that is, religious life as an alternate economy and the poverty of spirit needed in the quest for God). Finally―and this is the part that made this so difficult to write, Sandra examines the vow of obedience, taking into account the role that blind obedience played in the Holocaust and other wrongs committed by misuse of power and authority. She concludes by synthesizing all three volumes. †


The Priesthood in a Church Renewed: Priestly Ministry and Spirituality Based on Vatican II and PCP II Vision


(Picardal, Amado L., 2016)


Shepherds and Fishermen: Spiritual Exercises for Bishops, Priests, and Religious


(Cantalamessa, Raniero, 2020) Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, preacher to the papal household for over forty years, graciously accepted Pope Francis’s invitation to lead a six-day retreat for the bishops of the United States in January 2019. Shepherds and Fishermen contains the reflections and meditations that guided this gathering, presented in an accessible format for groups and individuals seeking spiritual and ministerial inspiration.


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Library Hours & Contact Info

Library Hours

Monday to Saturday
7:45am to 5:00pm
Closed on Sundays & holidays

Contact Info

Tel: (63) 8426-6430 to 35 local 3631
email: egenilo@lst.edu; library@lst.edu

The Library is primarily intended for the use of the faculty and students of LST. It is not a general-service library, and access to its premises, books, and other materials is strictly in accordance with the norms given in the Statement of Library Policies.

Categories of Clients

The library fee, paid to the cashier during registration, entitles various categories of clients to the following privileges:

Enrolled LST Students

LST Students Enrolled in Degree or Diploma Programs. LST students enrolled in degree or diploma programs may borrow up to ten (10) books for two weeks, with a possibility of renewal if the books are not otherwise needed. Students writing STD/PhD dissertations may borrow up to twenty (20) books for one month, with the possibility of renewal if the books are not otherwise needed.

Cross Registrants

Cross-Registrants. Cross-registrants with endorsement letters and validated ID from the Ateneo de Manila University have the same privileges as regular LST students. Cross-registrants from other schools may borrow books, up to three at one time, for a period of two weeks, with the possibility of renewal.

Auditors

Auditors. Auditors may use the library but may not borrow books, except upon deposit of an amount per book determined by the LST Administration. This deposit is refunded at the end of each semester.

Doctoral Students of Consortium of Theological Schools

Doctoral Students of the Consortium of Theological Studies: By virtue of the agreement on the mutual sharing of resources and facilities by member schools, doctoral students of other schools belonging to the Consortium are granted the privilege of using the LST library. They may use the materials and facilities inside the library, but the books may not be lent out to them. They must bring an endorsement letter with their school’s letterhead and a valid ID.

Researchers from Other Schools and Institutions

Researchers from Other Schools or Institutions: Researchers from other schools or institutions may be granted permission by the President or VPAA to do research work in the LST library, provided they present an endorsement letter from their Department Chairperson and pay either a semestral or a daily spot fee. They may use the materials and facilities inside the library, but books may not be lent out to them.

Faculty and Students of Ateneo de Manila University

Faculty and students of Ateneo de Manila University: Ateneo students and faculty with endorsement letters and validated ID are allowed to use the library as guided by agreements between LST and AdMU.

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