The STM Library has been described on various occasions over the years as "one of [STM’s] most valuable resources", "a treasure trove", and "a very fine asset to the Seminary and for the Malaysian churches". Indeed, the Library is an integral part of the ministry of STM, providing the necessary support facilities for theological education and research. Assessment of the growth and development of STM has often been linked with the expansion and growth of the Library.
As STM turns 40, our Library holdings stand at over 56,000 books, approximately 680 print titles of journals and periodicals (of which 100 are active subscriptions), and more than 1,000 items in our audiovisual and multimedia collection. Of special value to us are our holdings of historical resources on Christianity in Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo. The Library has certainly come a long way from the mere 2,000 books in 1979.
In 2010, STM was appointed as a Centre for Theological Excellence under the ATU (ATESEA Theological Union) in offering the Doctor of Theology. In line with that appointment, apart from procuring more scholarly print resources, we have made substantial improvements in terms of investment in technology. Even prior to our appointment, a computerised library system was introduced in 2000, internet facilities in 2003, and online reference resources via the ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials in 2008. In 2010, a Library website and an Online Public Access Catalogue were set up to provide more information about our Library and to enable patrons to access our full catalogue online. More recently, we have subscribed to online journals via the JSTOR Religion & Theology Collection and the Brill Religious Studies Journal Collection, while exploring online resources with the Global Digital Theological Library as well.
STM embarked on the new Bahasa Malaysia programme in 2018 and it is our desire that the Library will be able to acquire more Bahasa Malaysia resources to support this new programme. Other developments in recent years include the addition of a new discussion room in the Library, as well as the allocation of a section of the Library to archaeological artefact replicas in order to enhance the learning experience of our students.
The Library’s ongoing expansion and development over the past four decades would not have been at all possible without the support and generosity of various individuals, churches, organisations and institutions like the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (VELKD), the Evangelisches Missionwerk in Deutschland (EMW), the Lutheran Church in Australia, the Chen Su Lan Trust (Singapore) and the Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia (FTESEA), to name but a few. The support, resources and funds received are very much appreciated and valued.
We are very thankful to the many dedicated staff, faculty, students and volunteers for their service in the Library. From 1979 till 1992, the Library was under the charge of faculty members: Rev. Bert Breiner (1979), Dr. J. Andrew Fowler (1980-1983), Mr Tan Boon Kean (1983), Dr. John Roxborogh (1984-1990), and Dr Robert Hunt (1991-1992). Dr. Voon Choon Khing was the first trained librarian (1992–2001), succeeded by Miss Christabel Wong, a non-faculty member, from 2001-2010. From May 2010, the Library was again headed by faculty members: Rev. Dr. Lim Kar Yong (2010), Rev. Dr. Ong Meng Chai (2011-2018) and Rev. Dr. Joseph Komar (2019-).
As STM continues to develop and expand its community and programmes, the Library plans to work together with the Faculty and Council to fulfill STM’s mission "to help both full-time workers and lay people to grow in Christian maturity and to train them for ministry and service in and through the Church." In the years to come, we hope to continue to grow, improve and expand our holdings, facilities, staffing and infrastructure in order to provide up-to-date resources and services, as well as a conducive environment for research. We truly value your ongoing support and participation as we seek to serve the Lord together.
(February 2020)
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Sources:
STM Catalogue & Prospectus
STM Graduation Magazines
Berita STM
Principal’s reports
STM self-study document, 1984
STM 40th Anniversary Magazine.