Introducing the Association of British Theological and Philosophical Libraries

Abstract

In this brief survey of ABTAPL’s activities, Christine Love-Rodgers, Deputy Chair of ABTAPL introduces herself and her role in ABTAPL, with a reflection on how she ended up in her current position. She outlines the organization and governance of ABTAPL and the current nature of its membership. One of ABTAPL’s most important activities is its annual conference, which includes library visits and conference dinners as well as conferences sessions. ABTAPL members benefit from publications including the ABTAPL Bulletin, co-operative services including an interlibrary loan system, and mentoring, training and grant programs. Christine acknowledged the challenges that ABTAPL members face, including diminishing budgets and reducing student numbers, which may lead to library closures of mergers. But there are opportunities also for ABTAPL to develop and to collaborate with Atla, including online training, open access publishing and potentially ‘twinning’ US and UK libraries to learn from each other.