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Collections & Resources
Books
The library houses a collection of more than 130,000 volumes including extensive holdings in theology, biblical studies, missions, pastoral theology, history, Islamics, music, English literature, behavioural science, and business.
The library also has access to over 350,000 e-books to support our courses and physical collections. Both physical books and e-books can be accessed by searching the library's catalogue.
Special Collections and Archives
The library has a specialized research collection in the history of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the Church of the Nazarene.
The Ambrose Archives document the history of Ambrose University and its predecessors. The Archives also serves as the official archives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and the Church of the Nazarene in Canada.
Periodicals & Journals
The library subscribes to more than 97,600 e-journals and 112 paper magazines and journals. In the latter case, back issues are either bound or in microform. The physical periodical collection is available for in-library use only, but students may copy ($0.10/page) or scan (no charge) articles using the library’s photocopier or, in the case of microforms, reader-printer (copying only, $0.15/page). The bulk of the library's journals (e-journals) can be accessed either through the catalogue search, or through databases by subject through the link below.
Chinese Resources
The library houses a collection of theological books in Chinese (catalogued).
Newspapers
Access back issues of prominent British and North American newspapers. Coverage extends mostly from the 19th to the 21st centuries.
19th Century North American Newspapers
Associated Press Collections Online
Burney Collection of 17th/18th Century Newspapers
Daily Mail Historical Archive 1896-2004
Financial Times Historical Archives 1888-2010
Illustrated London News Historical Archive 1842-2003
Independent Digital Archive 1986-2012
New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993)
Sunday Times Digital Archive 1822-2006
Telegraph Historical Archive 1855-2000
Oversize Collection
To facilitate reshelving the library places any book taller than 28.5 cm. in a special oversize collection. Such volumes are designated “oversize” in the catalogue. The oversize collection is housed adjacent to the reference collection. Oversize items may be borrowed on two-week loan.
Reference Collection
The library’s extensive reference collection of more than 4,000 volumes includes dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias, atlases, and duplicate copies of the major biblical commentary series. Reference volumes do not circulate.
Audiovisual Media
The collection includes more than 500 videos and DVDs and more than 1,600 sound recordings. These media are available for two-week loan.
Other Recommended Libraries
Wanting to search for resources in other libraries? We recommend the following libraries to find other resources outside of the Ambrose holdings:
UofC Library
The Alberta Library Online
WorldCat
Calgary Public Library
St. Mary's Library