Alumni Resources

This guide brings together information on library services and resources available to alumni, including borrowing, eResources, and lectionary commentaries. Use the menu to navigate between pages.

Alumni may continue to use selected library services and resources after graduation. VTS alumni automatically remain in the library system. GTS alumni who would like borrowing privileges should complete the GTS alumni account registration form. If you have misplaced your library barcode, which is required for eResource authentication, please contact the library.

Visit the Library

Alumni are welcome to use the library for personal study and research. Bishop Payne Library offers a variety of study spaces across all three floors, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. Limited parking is available outside the library on Wilmer Lane. No parking pass is required for day visits. Check library hours before visiting.

Questions? Use the Ask-A-Librarian form

This page lists borrowing privileges and policies for alumni. Alumni access is more limited than student access and does not include all licensed resources or services. If you have misplaced your library barcode, which is used for online account access and eResource authentication, please use the Ask-a-Librarian form.

Physical Books

Alumni may borrow up to 5 books at a time for 4 weeks.

Shipping Books

Alumni in the United States may request that physical books be shipped to a home or work address. Bishop Payne Library pays outgoing shipping costs via USPS; borrowers are responsible for return shipping costs. Please note that materials may be recalled for use by another member of the VTS community and may need to be returned promptly.

To request shipping, use the Ask-a-Librarian form and include your name, mailing address, and the call number for the item you would like to borrow.

Please return materials to:

Virginia Theological Seminary
Bishop Payne Library
3737 Seminary Rd, PMB#159
Alexandria, VA 22304

Renewing Books

Books may be renewed through your library account using your last name and library barcode. You may also request a renewal through the Ask-a-Librarian form or by calling the library at (703) 461-1733.

The Bishop Payne Library provides limited eResource access to alumni in accordance with license agreements with publishers and vendors. Please use Alumni OneSearch on the main alumni library page to access eResources available to alumni. These databases are available remotely, away from the VTS Campus.

Key alumni eResources include:

• Atla Religion Database: A core database for religion and theology, useful for finding journal articles, book reviews, and essays.
• Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries: A major scholarly commentary series covering books of the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Apocrypha.
• Project MUSE: A large collection of scholarly eBooks in religion and related fields, including history, literature, and philosophy.

Only selected eResources are available to alumni. Other databases and collections are available only to current students, faculty, and staff. If you have trouble accessing a resource or have questions about alumni access, please use the Ask-a-Librarian form.

The library is pleased to make available popular lectionary commentaries to alumni. These series are available in eBook format for alumni through Proquest. These resources are organized by the liturgical year and correspond to each week's lectionary readings (e.g. Year B, Second Week of Lent). See the descriptions below.

Access to these commentaries is through the links below, and you will need your VTS library barcode for authentication. Email paynelib@vts.edu if you need a new one.

Feasting on the Word (12 vols)

This ecumenical series provides commentary based on the lectionary readings each week. Commentary is provided from theological, pastoral, exegetical, and homiletical perspectives.

• Year A, Volume 1: Advent through Transfiguration
• Year A, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide
• Year A, Volume 3: Pentecost and Season After Pentecost (Propers 3-16)
• Year A, Volume 4: Season After Pentecost (Propers 17 - Reign of Christ)
• Year B, Volume 1: Advent through Transfiguration
• Year B, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide
• Year B, Volume 3: Pentecost and Season After Pentecost (Propers 3-16)
• Year B, Volume 4: Season After Pentecost (Propers 17 - Reign of Christ)
• Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Transfiguration
• Year C, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide
• Year C, Volume 3: Pentecost and Season after Pentecost (Propers 3-16)
• Year C, Volume 4: Season after Pentecost (Propers 17 - Reign of Christ)

Feasting on the Gospels (7 vols)

This series is related to Feasting on the Word, but goes much more in-depth with each week's gospel readings. Again, each reading is considered from theological, pastoral, exegetical, and homiletical perspectives.

• Luke 1-11
• Luke 12-24
• John 1-9
• John 10-21

Connections: A Lectionary Commentary (7 vols)

The Connections series is another ecumenical lectionary commentary published as an update to the Feasting on the Word series. This series aims to provide practical commentary by "connecting" each week's texts both to the rest of scripture and to contemporary life (e.g. via fiction, film, ethics, or cultural issues).

• Year A, Volume 1: Advent through Epiphany
• Year A, Volume 3: Season after Pentecost
• Year B, Volume 1: Advent through Epiphany
• Year B, Volume 2: Lent through Pentecost
• Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Epiphany
• Year C, Volume 2: Lent through Pentecost
• Year C, Volume 3: Season after Pentecost

GTS Alumni have access to all of the same resources as VTS alumni. However, first-time users must register for a GTS alumni library account. Please use this form:

GTS Alumni: Register for a Library Account