Library

The library contains around 42,000 volumes and receives about 80 periodicals regularly. Most of the collection is in English, but there is an important Arabic section, both Islamic and Christian, together with a good collection of manuscripts in Syriac, Arabic and Armenian.

The library is used not only by faculty and students of the School but also by outsiders engaged in research or study. Library privileges are available to guests by special permission from the Librarian, upon provision of adequate identification and payment of a non-refundable deposit. Books may not be taken out of the country.

Library Catalog

Search library catalog to find books and other library  materials

Library objectives

The Library of the Near East School of Theology (N.E.S.T.) exists to support N.E.S.T. in its aims by providing learning, information and research resource services to:

• The students and staff of N.E.S.T.
• Pastors and church workers in active service
• Ordinary Christians undergoing theological training at an appropriate educational level
• Persons seeking to learn about Protestant theology and faith

The Library's chief priority is to support the curriculum of N.E.S.T.'s taught courses, the research and background reading of the teaching staff, and the needs of N.E.S.T.'s research students.

Beyond that, the Library seeks to maintain a broader theological collection relevant to its context as the major Protestant theological library in the Middle East, including historical material relevant to the Protestant heritage in the Middle East .

Library opening hours

Winter (mid-September – June)

Monday-Friday	08.00-12.30, 13.00-18.45, 19.45-22.30
Saturday	08.30-12.30, 19.45-22.30
Sunday	19.45-22.30

Weekend opening is usually suspended during vacations.

Summer (July – mid-September)

Monday-Friday

08.00-14.00

Some evening opening may take place in July and September.

The library will be closed for at least half of August.

The library is closed on the following holidays :

New Year (two days around 1 Jan.), Armenian Christmas (6 Jan.), St. Maroun's Day (9 Feb.), Armenian Martyr's Day (24 April), Labour Day (1 May), Martyr's Day (6 May), Assumption Day (15 August), All Saints' Day (1 November), Independence Day (22 November), Western Christmas (3-4 days around 25 December), St. Vartan's Day, Good Friday to Easter Monday (both Western and Eastern calendars), Al-Fitr (one day), Al-Adha (one day)

Membership

N.E.S.T. students, faculty, staff and board members are automatically members of the library.

External membership, with limited borrowing rights, is available for a fee:

L.L. 15,000 (or $10) for N.E.S.T alumni, and ministers in the four supporting denominations;

L.L. 50,000 (or $34) for others (L.L. 30,000 or $20), at the librarian's discretion, for some users with a close relationship with the N.E.S.T.)