Learn About us.

The West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) library occupies a major part of the first floor of WATS main building.  The library is a major focal place in the academic community, and houses more than 50,000 volumes, including 3,000 bound and non-bound periodicals, as well as the largest display of ancient Bibles and Christian books in the sub-Sahara Africa.

West Africa Theological Seminary Library exists as a major educational and cultural resource of the seminary.  It has five units: the Collection Development unit, IT unit, Readers’ Services/Circulation and Reserve unit, Serial unit, and Post Graduate Commons.

The Readers Service/Circulation has a large comfortable, quiet, well ventilated, and acclimatized study area with a sitting capacity for 80 persons.

Mission

To select, interpret, organize and equip staff and students with relevant and quality tools necessary to achieve WATS goals. To achieve this, we engage in the continuous upgrade of the physical facility, add to the holdings and develop policies, upgrade equipment, technology and services, maintain a conducive reading and studying environment, and provide daily services to library users to enhance teaching, learning and research.

Our Core Values

• Integrity, fairness, timeliness, access, diversity, quality education and lifelong learning, biblical intellectual freedom, preservation, professionalism, service, social responsibility, and sustainability.

How Can We Help You?

Currently, WATS library is undergoing thorough changes – from traditional modes of operation to an automated system, from using Dewey Decimal Classification system to Library of Congress Classification system. The library bibliographic holdings (including digital books, journals, etc.) are fully accessible online.

Our Research Center is reserved for Staff and Post Graduate Students. Computers are available to all users on a first-come, first-served basis. Personal laptops are allowed, but must be registered with the library security officer. Users are to take all belongings with them when finished. Internet Access: Wireless hotspot is available in the library.

Library Resources

Reference Books– Including dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, annuals, gazettes, biographies. These are essential for basic background information to all subjects available in the REFERENCE section.

Books on the open shelves include a vast array of materials. Use these materials to supplement your required reading and to write papers and assignments.

Journals, magazines and periodicals are on the shelves to complement the electronic resources available.

Rare Materials. Rare or ancient materials are on display.

Electronic Resource

Thousands of electronic journals can be accessed through our various databases. The list of titles to which the library provides access can be found via the library homepage. These databases provide access to full text journals on students’ computers.

Online:  West Africa Theological Seminary Library and Global Digital Theological Seminary.

Library Hours

Library physical space is open to WATS staff and students and registered guests, with proper ID.

Monday – Thursday (8am – 10pm)

Friday (8am – 5pm)

Saturday (10am – 4pm)

Sunday (6pm – 10pm)