8

International Theological Librarian 
Education Task Force (ITLET)
Kelly Campbell, Columbia Theological Seminary

TASK FORCE MEMBERS

• Kelly Campbell, Columbia Theological Seminary, Chair
• Yasmine Abou-El-Kheir, Chicago Theological Seminary
• Carisse Berryhill, Abilene Christian University
• Kerrie Burn, University of Divinity
• Matina Ćurić, Missio International
• Seoyoung Kim, World Mission University
• Griselda Lartey, Columbia Theological Seminary
• Ephraim Muldave, Africa International University
• Cynthia Pelena, Central Philippine University
• Álvaro Pérez, Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana
• Yesan Sellan, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies
• Brenda Bailey-Hainer, Atla Staff Liaison

YEAR IN REVIEW

During its third year, the International Theological Librarian Educa-
tion Task Force (ITLET) worked on several initiatives to achieve our 
charge. The ITLET’s charge is “to strengthen and connect theological 
and religious studies librarians worldwide by identifying resources, 
creating educational opportunities, and developing skill enhance-
ment materials through collaboration efforts.”  

In March 2020, the introductory volume of the Theological Librar-
ian’s Handbook:  Introduction to Theological Libraries was published 
open access. After its release, this volume was the second-most down-
loaded book from Books@Atla Open Press. The editor for the second 
volume of the series, focusing on library administration, was chosen 
and various global writers answered the call for writing various 
chapters.  

Plans were made and participants selected for the Second Inter-
national Theological Librarian Leadership Institute, to be held in 

https://doi.org/10.31046/atlaopenpress.34
https://doi.org/10.31046/atlaopenpress.34


Committee & Task Force Reports  9

Detroit, Michigan. However, due to COVID-19, the Institution was 
cancelled.  Participants were coming from Indonesia, Uganda, Roma-
nia, Ukraine, and Malawi.

Task Force members continued working on a compilation of 
worldwide theological librarianship training and education oppor-
tunities and a list of theological library associations.

Finally, through Brenda’s work and membership in an Interna-
tional Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) work group, prog-
ress was achieved on developing international base competencies 
for professional librarians. Once the base competencies are finalized, 
Brenda recommended Atla to help with developing the specialty 
competencies for theological librarians.

2019–20 COMMITTEE: [front, left to right] Cynthia Pelena, Seoyoung Kim, Yasmine 
Abou-El-Kheir, Griselda Lartey, Yesan Sellan; [rear, left to right] Ephraim Muldave, 
Matina Ćurić, Kerrie Burn, Kelly Campbell, Brenda Bailey-Hainer, Carisse Berryhill; 
Álvaro Pérez