54  ATL A 2019 PROCEEDINGS

Global Theological 
Librarianship Panel Discussion

ABSTR ACT Three global librarians attending the 2019 Atla Interna-
tional Theological Librarian Leadership Institute described their own 
libraries and challenges. They reflected on their experience at the Insti-
tute and at the Atla Annual Conference.

Global Theological Librarianship was the subject of a panel discus-
sion moderated by Kelly Campbell, Associate Dean of Information 
Services at Columbia Theological Seminary. The panelists, invited to 
the conference as participants in Atla’s first International Theologi-
cal Librarian Leadership Institute, were the Rev. Arnel Z. Faller, theo-
logical librarian at Silliman University Divinity School in Damaguete 
City, Philippines; Nalini Premadish, librarian at Pacific Theological 
College in Suva, Fiji; and Roman Shvets, library director at the Ukrai-
nian Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine. Besides 
attending the conference, the three panelists were participating in the 
invitational Institute which bracketed the conference with instruc-
tional workshop sessions and local theological library tours. The panel 
discussion offered Atla conference attendees the opportunity to learn 
about three theological libraries from widely differing geographical, 
educational, and cultural settings, to understand the challenges faced 
by the librarians, and to appreciate the value of worldwide collegiality.

The panelists each described their libraries’ location, mission, 
organization and staffing, users, and collections. They noted special 
concerns about collection policy, archival preservation, electronic 
resources, and conflict management. “It’s an amazing experience 
learning and growing in a global context and a warm fellowship with 
librarians mostly in theological institutions in North America and 
other parts of the world,” commented Rev. Faller. “My engagement 
in this training and conference opened more doors for possible 
connection and collaboration,” he said. Mr. Shvets commented that, 



Panel Presentation 55

while at the conference, “I could hear many practical approaches to 
challenges with which the library dealt.” He also noted appreciation 
for the Institute’s emphasis on collection policy and archives. Ms. 
Premadish observed that the conference is “a great way to connect with 
new people in the field of Librarianship from different geographical 
areas who share the same discipline. It was a wonderful experience. 
I cannot wait to implement the innovative ideas that were shared.”

The Institute is a project of the International Theological Librarian-
ship Education Task Force, a committee of twelve Atla librarians from 
North America, Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia 
appointed by executive director Brenda Bailey-Hainer to create and 
enhance educational opportunities and resources for theological 
librarians worldwide.