A study identified ten potential areas of cooperation. An early undertaking will be to evaluate the three automated systems currently in place at the three schools to choose the most appropriate approach for unifying data into one catalog and developing a unified system for acquisitions. The libraries will also seek to increase the availability of electronic reference tools and full-text periodicals for the whole East Coast, coordinate their journal holdings in print format, and enhance together their reference and interlibrary loan services. A goal is to eliminate certain unnecessarily duplicated materials and to coordinate the storage of lesser-used but important materials. Technological developments over the past decade have really eliminated many geographic obstacles to library cooperation.
Electronic catalogs are searchable worldwide via the Internet.
We can share resources via FAX and electronic files by computer. Paralleling these developments is the geometric growth of online databases, full-text electronic periodicals and the dispersion of scholarship through such developments as distance education. The three seminaries have primary missions to prepare professional leaders for the Church. Their programs offer a mix of academic and field work and internship preparation. The Seminary features a Lutheran Center for Theology and Public Life in Washington, D.C., a Town and Country Church Institute, the Institute for Luther Studies, and the Stewardship of Life Institute.