Orientation Guide for Pilgrim Theological College and Trinity College Theological School Students

By Andrew Hateley-Browne | February 18, 2026

The Dalton McCaughey Library is an ecumenical collaboration between the Australian Jesuits (Society of Jesus), the Uniting Church in Australia (VicTas), and Trinity College (Anglican) with particular strengths in biblical studies, systematic and practical theology, church history, and philosophy. The library holds 143,038 physical monograph volumes, 3,548 eBooks (discounting Open Access [OA] titles), or, in excess of 20,000 eBooks (including OA titles, but excluding UD-licensed titles), along with other resources.

Library Hours—the library is normally open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for reading, writing, and research. Extended evening and Saturday hours are offered from time-to-time and published on the library’s website, Facebook page, and within the library.

Extended Hours—Semester 1 2026:

Saturdays (9 a.m. to Noon): 7 March, 6 JuneAdditional, extended hours may be added.

Writing Retreat (9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): Thursday, 26 March with guest speaker, Dr. Paula Gooder

Library Staffing—the library is staffed by librarians, professionals, and volunteers who can be reached by phone: +61 3 9340 8888. Outside of operating hours, contact staff by email: library@dml.vic.edu.au.

DML Website: dml.vic.edu.au brings you directly to the library catalogue for the greatest access to collections, services, and events. When searching the catalogue, you can locate the call numbers for the DML’s print collection (including Course Reserves) and access eBooks and full text journal articles. Explanatory guides to help you get started with your research can be found by scrolling below the new books carousel on the homepage.As Pilgrim or Trinity students registered at the University of Divinity, you may access the UD’s extensive library holdings through the DML website using your UD single sign-on credentials. Note that for general searching on the DML’s catalogue, you may limit your search to the DML’s resources and exclude, for example, Camden and the UD.

UD Library Hub: library.divinity.edu.au brings you directly to the Library Hub catalogue.

In the Library (located at 29 College Crescent Parkville, adjacent to the sage + grace café):

  1. New print books and journal issues, as well as reference materials and print (primarily) UD doctoral theses are located on the ground floor of the library. The general print collection is housed on the first and second floors of the library. Lesser-used materials are located in the basement stacks and may be requested at the circulation desk. Retrieval may take up to 30 minutes.
  2. Arrangement of library books: The DML uses the Union Classification system, known as “Pettee.” This system’s alpha-numeric notation, found on the spine label of each book in the general collection and basement stacks, arranges books by what the book is about (subject matter) and also serves as an address for the location of the book in the stacks.
  3. Materials in high demand for particular units are placed on “Course Reserves” (though still shelved in the stacks by call number) with shorter loan periods to ensure fair access.
  4. Students are generally not issued a library card for borrowing purposes. You are encouraged to use your University student card. Thirty loans are allowed at one time with a loan period of four weeks and two renewals. Students can manage their respective library accounts (including renewals) by heading to the library’s homepage, locating “About” in the header and selecting “Member login.”
  5. Book recommendations for your research may be placed electronically at https://dml.vic.edu.au/contact/book-recommendation. Please note that not all requests can be actioned. For those that are approved, we cannot guarantee timely receipt of the materials. Another option is to request the material through interlibrary loan, lodging a request with the DML staff.
  6. Return DML materials in good condition, at your earliest convenience, to the interior return chute at the right-hand side of the circulation desk. Alternatively, there is an exterior chute, near the bike racks outside the library, for returns when the library is closed.
  7. A replacement fee is charged for missing or damaged materials—including water/coffee stains, highlighting or pen/pencil markings, etc.
  8. Note: the library has a bank of lockers near the café that students may use to secure personal belongings when leaving the library for short periods. Please ask for a key at the circulation desk. 

Journals

  1. The DML subscribes to approximately 40 print journal titles. Our current holdings may be found by typing the name of the journal title into the search box on the catalogue homepage and are located on the ground floor of the library. Our retrospective print journal holdings are located on the second level and in the basement stacks.
  2. You have access to the premier religion database, ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials Plus through the UD Library Hub. This database provides full text access to hundreds of theological and religious journals and is highly recommended.

Library Research—Getting Started

  1. When you have an upcoming assignment, get to the library well in advance. Try a search on the library catalogue, peruse the collection, and speak to library staff to ensure you are employing the best possible search terms and efficiently accessing the key texts on your topic. If you are floundering, initiate a conversation with your unit professor.
  2. Library staff provide research and academic support in-person and for students-at-a-distance, through Zoom. Please contact the DML, library@dml.vic.edu.au, to set up an appointment.
  3. Again, please note the various guides to accessing and using the resources available through the library’s homepage: dml.vic.edu.au.
  4. Member login is necessary to access the DML’s online materials. Look for “About” found in the header of the library’s home page and select “Member Login.” Select “University of Divinity SSO account (Pilgrim and Trinity Colleges) and sign in to your account. Note that when using your email address it must match what was initially used for enrolment at Pilgrim or Trinity.

Reading & Writing

  1. There is a strong connection between reading and writing. Generally, the more one reads, the better one writes. Being an “active” reader can positively impact the writing process. Refer to the article entitled, “Reading to Write,” under the heading “Read Better” found through the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s Learning Center—Tips & Tools: learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/. The full range of tips and tools found through the Learning Center are recommended.
  2. Join our free, all-day writing retreats in the library. Semester 1, a writing retreat is planned for Thursday, 26 March, with Trinity College Theological School’s Visiting Scholar, Dr. Paula Gooder.

Citation Style 

The University of Divinity publishes a Style Guide found on the UD Library Hub’s site. The Style Guide isbased on The Chicago Manual of Style (18th ed.), a reference resource held at the DML. The Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide is an abbreviated online guide for citation: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Make sure to use the notes and bibliography system!

Scanning & Public Printing

The photocopier may be used for scanning and printing by theologs. Please comply with Australian Copyright Council’s interpretive guides located near the photocopier. Printing issues should be directed to library staff.