College Library’s Biblical Studies collection has recently received a significant boost

With a grant of approximately £1000 from the Rebecca Hussey Book Charity, we have been able to acquire over 30 recent titles that introduce fresh voices into our collection and help our shelves reflect the richness of Old Testament scholarship.

An important part of this story is that the idea of applying for the grant was first raised by one of our Student Library Committee Representatives, who heard about the programme. Andy’s initiative set the wheels in motion and is a fantastic example of how impactful student contributions can be. Many of the improvements we make in the library start with something as simple as a student comment on our graffiti board—our latest example being the new docking stations that have been ordered for the computer room! If you’re a student reading this, please know that your ideas are always welcome. Whether it’s a recommendation for a new book, a piece of equipment, or a suggestion for how we do things, your voice matters and can lead to real change.

The new additions include commentaries from series such as Earth Bible, Wisdom Commentary, NICOT (New International Commentary on the Old Testament), and the Asia Bible Commentary. These works bring a wide range of theological, cultural, and interpretive perspectives to our collection, enriching the resources available to our students. Many of the new commentaries relate to books of the Bible that are taught on less frequently, meaning that our existing resources were more limited. We hope the new books will highlight the relevance and significance of these books of the Bible and stimulate student engagement with them. We’re also particularly excited to add titles by scholars such as Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar, Elizabeth Boase and Rhiannon Graybill, whose work brings critical and contemporary insights to biblical texts, often engaging with themes of gender, race, and social justice. These books are now available to borrow from the College Library, and it is wonderful to be able to support the research and learning of our students with a newly strengthened Biblical Studies collection. The Rebecca Hussey Book Charity has a long history of resourcing institutions that support religious study and development and we are incredibly grateful to have benefitted from their work. This grant has not only enhanced our holdings but also helped us move closer to our goal of building a collection that reflects the diversity of voices and approaches within biblical scholarship today.

The new books are currently on display in the College Library, so please do come and have a browse!