Discard to Discovery: Empowering Majority World Theological Libraries

Abstract

In an era when information is paramount, ensuring equitable access to information and knowledge remains a significant challenge as information divides persist and even widen across many parts of the world. Through various channels, my roles as the college librarian at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, Chair of ABTAPL (Association of British Theological and Philosophical Libraries) and Vice-president of BETH (Bibliothèques Européennes de Théologie - European Theological Library Association), have provided numerous opportunities to understand diverse situations of theological libraries globally and the unique environments in which they operate. From many conversations with theological librarians over the past few years, I have learned that we all face difficulties and struggles in our rapidly ever-changing world, influenced by technology innovation, political instability and the demographic shifts in Christianity from the Global North to the Global South (i.e., Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania).