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Methodist
Lynn Berg, Interim Secretary

PRESENT

• Brian Shetler, Drew University, Convener
• Christopher Anderson, Yale University
• Katie Benjamin, Duke University
• Lynn Berg, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Interim 

Secretary
• Matthew Davis, Roberts Wesleyan College / Northeastern Semi-

nary
• Jane Elder, Southern Methodist University
• Ellen Frost, Southern Methodist University
• Andy Keck, Southern Methodist University
• Amy Limpitlaw, Boston University
• Seth Miskimins, Southern Methodist University
• Steve Perisho, Seattle Pacific University
• Tom Phillips, Claremont School of Theology
• David Schmersal, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
• Helen Stocker, Nazarene Theological College (UK)
• Jay Wise, Indiana Wesleyan University

The Methodist Librarians’ Fellowship met at Atla Annual 2019 in 
Vancouver, BC on Thursday, June 13, 2019, from 5:00 to 5:50 pm.

AGENDA

Approval of 2018 Minutes
Special Session of the General Conference (February 23–26, 2019)
United Methodist Conference Journal Collection
Round Robin Reports

APPROVAL OF 2018 MINUTES

The minutes of the 2018 meeting of the Methodist Librarians’ Fellow-
ship were approved with no changes.



Denominational Group Meetings  29

SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE  
(FEBRUARY 23–26, 2019 – ST. LOUIS, MO)

The group briefly shared local reactions to the decisions made by the 
special session that was called to act on a report of the Commission 
on a Way Forward regarding issues of human sexuality in The Book of 
Discipline. Some expressed anxiety and uncertainty, and we are wait-
ing to see what will happen at the General Conference scheduled for 
May 5–15, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN.

UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE JOURNAL COLLECTION

In response to an inquiry about which conference journals our insti-
tutions collect, a couple of libraries indicated that they only keep 
the conference journals for their own jurisdictions. Drew University 
keeps a running list of which journals they have on their website. It 
was noted that some of the journals come on flash drives, and PDFs 
have been made (some have been printed out, but not all). None are 
digitized. The Book of Discipline specifies that two copies of the confer-
ence reports are to be sent to the Methodist Archives and one to Drew 
Methodist Library.

ROUND ROBIN REPORTS

Brian Shetler, Drew University
The library is still without a cataloger. The backlog is growing. They 
have more interaction with classes. They are branching out into pop 
culture.

Andy Keck, Southern Methodist University
Andy expressed sadness at the loss of the Methodists who have passed 
away, mentioning John Baker-Batsel and Don Haymes.

Katie Benjamin, Duke University
They have a new Dean. They are replacing a circulation staff person 
and losing a reference person. But they are keeping things afloat. The 
Wesley Works project is ongoing.

Jay Wise, Indiana Wesleyan University
Their director is retiring. He noted the importance of having tech 
people who are also project managers. He stressed the importance 



30  ANNUAL YEARBOOK

of knowing your institutional culture. They are dealing with copy-
right issues.

Matthew Davis, Northeastern Seminary
They will be down to four librarians.

Tom Phillips, Claremont School of Theology
They have sold their campus. The director reports directly to the 
Board of Trustees. They are moving 50,000 books; the rest they are 
not sure what they will do with yet. They have lots of e-books. What 
will the faculty do? The faculty will move, embed, relocate. Student 
numbers have doubled. The digital library will be their main library.

Amy Limpitlaw, Boston University
They are the recipients of stained-glass windows that celebrate the 
Women’s Foreign Missionary Society. The staff made an online exhibit 
of them. They have hired some new faculty.

Helen Stocker, Nazarene Theological College (UK) 
She is a solo librarian. She shared information with the group about 
their Visiting Fellows program. Church of the Nazarene is funding the 
library management system.

Chris Anderson, Yale University 
He spoke about their Methodist Studies program. They are working 
on a United Methodist studies bibliography, which they hope to finish 
soon. Predecessors digitized magazines and journal annual reports.

Steve Perisho, Seattle Pacific University 
No news to report.

Jane Elder, Southern Methodist University 
They are entering phase two of the building renovation. There is 
demolition and reconstruction in the library, but they will eventually 
be ADA-compliant

Lynn Berg, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary 
The seminary passed its ATS accreditation and is good for another ten 
years. The library has two new staff members, Daniel Smith (Research, 
Instruction, & Digital Services Librarian) and Edzen Lebita (Acquisi-
tions & Serials Specialist).


