Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is Theodore Sedgwick Wright?
  • Rev. Wright was the first African American to graduate from Princeton Theological Seminary (Class of 1828). He served as the pastor of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church of New York City (formerly First Colored Presbyterian Church of New York City) from 1829 until his death in 1847. Wright was one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society and served as chair of the New York Vigilance Committee, which worked to prevent the kidnapping of free African Americans.

  • Is the library open?
  • Are the Brick Café hours the same as library hours?
  • No; Brick Café hours are Monday–Friday, 8–11am and 2–4pm when spring and fall term classes are in session and the library is open.

    Follow the link below for more information about the Brick Café.

  • How do I...
  • ...find closed captioned screencasts (with transcripts) about self-service features and search tips for library search and discovery tools, an overview of library resources for Princeton Seminary alumni and much more? Follow the link below!

  • What is the campus response to COVID-19?
  • Masking is optional indoors. Face coverings are encouraged for those who feel more comfortable, especially those who are immune compromised or have other health concerns.

  • I am a Princeton Seminary student. Can I reserve a study room?
  • Yes!

  • I am from Princeton University. Do I have access to Wright Library?
  • Yes; Wright Library is open to the general public.

  • I am a visitor. Do I have access to Wright Library?
  • Yes; Wright Library is open to the general public.

  • I am a paid patron. Do I have remote access to electronic resources at Wright Library?
  • Licensing agreements only allow Wright Library to make remote access to subscription or licensed electronic resources available to certain authorized users.

    You can continue to take advantage of the resources offered on the seminary’s Theological Commons digital library or through the fuller list of freely available electronic resources.

  • Who has access to online resources off campus?
  • Wright Library provides Princeton Seminary students and other members of the Seminary community with access to licensed content (library databases, e-books, e-journals, etc.) both inside and outside the campus network.*

    Princeton Seminary Alumni
    who request alum database access have access to a selection of these resources as well.*

    Open access (non-licensed) content is available to everyone; see Resources for Everyone.

    In other words, authorized Wright Library users can connect to licensed (and open access) online resources, including those found in the Research Guides, Summon and the Library Catalog, from any location with internet access. Visit the Library Home Page, Catalogs, About Library Databases, About Online Journals, or Resources for Everyone for more information.

    Feel free to contact the Discovery and Web Services Librarian, if you have any questions.

    Remote Reference Service is available.

    *This is made possible with a single sign-on authentication service.

  • I am an alum of Princeton Seminary. Do I have access to electronic resources at Wright Library?
  • Wright Library has negotiated electronic access to a wide selection of databases for alumni.

  • How do I access my library account (checkouts, contact info) and access other features (lists, saved searches, renew materials)?
  • You can access your library account to view checkouts and due dates in the My Account area of the library catalog, in the Library Card area of Summon, or via the MyLibrary! mobile app** (downloadable from Google Play or Apple’s App Store).

    You can also opt-in to receive automated courtesy notices from Wright Library and renew checkouts via text message.

    If you have an active @ptsem.edu email address*, click on Login / My Account. Click on the Princeton Theological Seminary Borrower link. It may ask you to enter your e-mail address and then give you a place to enter your password. And then you will see your patron record (My Account).

    * If you have trouble logging in, confirm with Circulation Services that the @ptsem.edu address you use for accessing e-resources is entered in your patron record in the library system and is all lowercase. If you don't regularly check your PTS email, you can set up email forwarding.

    If you do not have an @ptsem.edu email address and you're a guest borrower, use the second link on the login options page. Enter your last name, your barcode or username and your PIN that you've selected. If you haven't yet set up a PIN, enter your last name and your username and click Submit and you'll get prompted to create a PIN.

    **The guest borrower login involves a PIN which is also required for logging in via the MyLibrary! library catalog mobile app. Establish your PIN before using the app. For details and instructions, follow the link below.

  • Can you recommend a good place to start my research?
  • Our research guides are useful introductory tools for research. Subject areas include: Biblical Studies, History & Ecumenics, Religion & Society, Practical Theology, and Theology.

  • Where can I find reserve materials for my classes?
  • Course Reserves

  • Where can I find tutorials and support?
  • Where can I learn about on-campus, off-campus, mobile, and wireless access to library resources?
  • Can I print from my laptop while I am in the library?
  • Yes

  • What is OpenAthens?
  • OpenAthens® is a single sign-on authentication service that enables access to subscription-based electronic resources both on and off campus.

  • How can I obtain borrowing privileges?
  • Visit the Circulation Desk and be sure to bring your ID card; use the link below for details.

  • How do I borrow library materials (including reserves)?
  • How many books can I borrow?
  • How do I renew books?
  • You may renew items yourself online, via text (SMS), or with a mobile app through your Wright Library Catalog account, but they must be renewed before the actual due date.

  • How do I recall a book?
  • If Princeton Theological Seminary faculty, students or staff want or need a book that is checked out to someone else, they may recall it. Follow the link below for details.

  • If I cannot locate a book that should be on the shelf, what should I do?
  • Alert library staff at the Circulation Desk (609-497-7940), giving them as much information as possible. A trace will be put on the book and you will be notified when it is located.

  • As a Princeton Seminary student, may I borrow materials from Princeton University?
  • Yes; as a Princeton Seminary student, you have the privilege of obtaining a Princeton University library card. Go to the access office in Firestone Library, the main library, with your Princeton Seminary ID card and another form of identification in hand. For more information, follow the link below.

  • Is it possible for Princeton Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff to request items in remote storage like ReCap or the Annex?
  • Yes; click on the request button in the Princeton University catalog record for the item, choose “Log in with Alma Account (affiliates)” and then enter your “Alma User ID” and “Password.”

    If you do not have an Alma Affiliate User ID or password, contact access@princeton.libanswers.com or fstcirc@princeton.edu for assistance.

  • As a Princeton Seminary student, do I have remote access to electronic resources owned by Princeton University?
  • No, nor do our faculty. However, you have access to those resources from within PU libraries.*

    Follow the link below for more about using Princeton University Libraries.

    *The primary way to access these resources is through the public access computers located throughout Firestone Library by searching the catalog (https://catalog.princeton.edu/).

  • May I borrow materials not available at Wright Library or the Princeton University Libraries?
  • Princeton Seminary students, faculty and staff, as well as CTI scholars, Visiting Scholars and OMSC Global Partners may use Wright Library's Interlibrary Loan, or ILL, service; follow the link below for more information and to access the request form.

  • Does Wright Library lend to other libraries?
  • Yes; Wright Library participates in interlibrary loan through OCLC and also offers direct borrowing with Southeastern Pennsylvania Theological Library Association (SEPTLA) member libraries. Contact your institution's library to initiate a request.

    Interlibrary loan service also allows Princeton Seminary students to borrow materials from other libraries. Look for May I borrow materials not available at Wright Library or the Princeton University Libraries? in this FAQ list.

  • System not working?
  • If you encounter a system (e-mail, BrightSpace, a library database, etc.) that is not working, please check the IT Status page to see if it is a known issue. You can subscribe to the whole page or to specific incidents to receive automatic updates.

    If you do not see the issue you are experiencing listed on the IT Status page, please alert the Help Desk to the problem with as much detail as possible.

  • Can I carry my drink with me into the library?
  • Yes; beverages in closed/sealed containers are permitted in the library except for near the Microform Equipment, in the Copy Center or in the Special Collections Reading Room.

    Please read the policy linked below.

  • Approximately, how many volumes does Wright Library currently have?
  • Over 600,000 print books in the general collection, plus access to millions of e-books

  • Is Wright Library accepting book donations?
  • At this time, we are not accepting donations of books, archival collections, or artifacts.

    Please check this FAQ for future updates.

  • What is the shuttle schedule?
  • Begins Monday, January 8, 2024, Ends Monday, May 13th, 2024