Online Library
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Religious and Theological Internet Resources Don L. Meredith, Librarian for the Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee
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General Tools |
Hock, Randolph. The Extreme Searcher’s Internet Handbook: A Guide for the Serious Searcher. 2nd ed. Medford, NJ: CyberAge Books, 2007. “A guide for researchers, writers, librarians, teachers, and others, covering what serious users need to know to fully take advantage of Internet tools and resources.” The first chapter is a basic introduction to the Internet, Web directories, search engines, search strategies, and assessing content quality. Other chapters treat in detail the following: Web directories; search engines; groups & mailing lists; reference tools; images, audio & video; news resources; and finding products online. The Extreme Searcher’s Web Page provides links to all the resources in the book and updates regarding changes to the search engines discussed in chapter 4. |
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Wikipedia |
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WorldCat is a database containing over 202 million records (over 90% of these are books) representing the holdings of over 11,000 libraries. Indicates libraries that hold the book. It also includes article citations with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. |
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Specialized Internet Search Tools |
Google Book Search
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Google probably has access to the largest searchable image collection. Click on images on the main page and enter term in search field or click on images and move to the Advanced Image Search screen. You can also directly to http://images.google.com. |
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The texts collection of over 2,000,000 titles includes digitized books from libraries around the world. Includes almost 900,000 Google-digitized books. Can select to read book online or download a PDF file. Search from box near top of screen with “texts” entered in the media type field. There is an advanced search option to narrow searches. |
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Specialized Theological Web Directories |
Harding University Graduate School of Religion Web site In the drop-down menu under “library” is a link to Quest, the HUGSR online library catalog, and instructions for its use. There is also a link to 30 “Research Guides,” which are annotated subject bibliographies distributed to students in Advanced Theological Research. These are revised every summer. Many contain hotlinks to Web sites or Internet resources (e.g., on the “Commentaries” guide is a hotlink to “Commentary Recommendations for Ministers”). |
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This “Guide to Internet Resources for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion” was set up “with the specific intention of locating and organizing Internet resources for the benefit of students and teachers in religious studies.” Has over 2,000 annotated links (arranged by subject) to the following resources on the Internet: syllabi, electronic texts, electronic journals, Web sites, bibliographies, liturgies, reference resources, software, etc. Identifies highest quality sites as Top Site. This best Web directory in this subject field is maintained by Charles K. Bellinger, theological librarian and assistant professor of theology and ethics at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. |
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“Analyzes and highlights important content of religion-related websites.” Arranged under 18 general headings with multiple subheadings, it provides links to homepages, directories, and documents. Maintained by the religion department at Rutgers University. Information may be dated. |
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William Fore created this site in the late 1990s. Contains over 5,700 full-text sources by recognized religious scholars organized by subject. Among these are about 200 books. |
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John L. Gresham’s guide to religious studies resources on the Internet. Dr. Gresham, a professor of Catholic theology in St. Louis, “provides a selective listing of the best Internet resources of interest to religious studies scholars and students of religion. Rather than attempt a comprehensive listing of religious information on the Internet, this guide selectively points to the best gateways to specific types of religious information.” Links are arranged under 8 categories. The links under Digital Resources, particularly under the Religious and Theological Text heading, are extremely valuable. |
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This directory maintained by Saundra Lipton (University of Calgary) arranges Internet resources under the following headings: resources arranged by format (bibliographies, images, indexes, texts, etc.), resources organized by religious group/selected topics, and other useful Web sites for the academic study of religion. |
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Christian Web Directories |
One of the top Christian sites. Links are categorized under the following headings: graphics, ecards, bible trivia & games, online community, Christian shopping, church supplies, and search. The drop-down menu under “search” links to verse and word searches from 6 English versions and to “Web Search,” which provides links to top Christian Web sites arranged by subject. |
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Resources are organized by topic. Click on “topics” to get list. |
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Christianity Online Site Directory Maintained by Christianity Today. |
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One of the largest Christian directories with over 80,000 Web sites. |
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Began operation in 1998 with aim to offer “everything for the Christian community.” Now is the leading provider of Christian audio content on the Internet. |
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