Skip to Main Content

About the Library

 

Our Mission: Jenks Library provides information resources, research assistance, and a welcoming environment for individuals and collaborative learning in support of the curriculum and mission of Gordon College.

Jenks at a Glance: Alt Text below

Jenks at a Glance

  • 190,000 items, including books, journals, DVDs, music scores, rare books, and more.
  • The Library is open over 100+ hours a week.
  • 103,000 print and online journals.
  • 212,000 eBooks.
  • Member of 2 library systems: NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange) and MLS (Massachusetts Library System)
  • 90 online library databases and journal collections.

Named for James and Evelyn Jenks, generous supporters of Gordon College, Jenks Library is the campus gateway to information resources and services. The library's website is the starting point for library research at Gordon. The NOBLE catalog, electronic resources, course reserves and interlibrary loan services are all available on the library's website.

These resources and services, combined with a strong service program, make Jenks Library an essential part of teaching and learning at Gordon College. In addition to resources, librarians are also available six days a week to assist students in the use of library resources and in the development of strong analytical and information-seeking skills. Jenks's mission, to support the mission and curriculum of Gordon College, is achieved in part by the purchasing of new materials that support the curriculum. Jenks also seeks to provide a welcoming environment to all by providing study space of all kinds, quiet study as well as group collaborative learning.

Access Library Databases Off-Campus


You can access library databases, journals, and most e-books by logging in with your Gordon email and password. Have questions about your password? Go to https://www.gordon.edu/password.

Circulation Policies


Loan Periods & Fines

  Student Faculty Public Patrons
Books

21 days

No fines!

4 months

No fines!

21 days

No fines!

New Books

21 days

No fines!

21 days

No fines!

21 days

No fines!

CDs/ DVDs

7 days

No fines!

7 days

No fines!

7 days

No fines!

Children's Books

7 days

No fines!

7 days

No fines!

7 days

No fines!

Curriculum Library Materials (manipulatives, textbooks, etc.)

7 days

No fines!

7 days

No fines!

N/A

Course Reserves

Varies

Fines: $.50 per hour (including overnight hours)

N/A N/A
Circulation Desk Items (chargers, Costco cards, etc.)

Varies

Fines: $.50 per hour (including overnight hours)

Varies

N/A Public patrons can only use circ desk items in the library

Fines: $.50 per hour

Curriculum Tests

7 days- no renewals

Fines: $.50 per day

7 days- no renewals

Fines: $.50 per day

N/A

Other Fines

Books borrowed from other libraries through NOBLE or ILL may still accrue fines.

Replacement Costs

Materials that aren’t returned for 42 days (6 weeks) past the due date will incur a replacement cost, which is the cost of the item + a $15 processing fee. These items will automatically be changed to “long overdue” at 42 days. Students, staff, faculty, and public patrons who have lost items must pay the replacement cost + a $15 processing fee.

General Policies


 

Advertising and poster policy

  • Students, faculty, and staff may post advertisements on the 3rd floor bulletin board (near CTS). This is the only approved advertising location for outside departments within Jenks Library; posters will be removed if found elsewhere.
  • Please contact library@gordon.edu before placing table tents, flyers, and cards for prior approval. 
  • You may also post advertisements in the front entrance of the building by the 2nd floor stairwell, and down the stairs between the 2nd and 1st floor.
  • If you have questions, please ask at the Circulation Desk or email library@gordon.edu.
  • All signs, flyers, and table tents must be approved by Student Life.

For more information on events and advertising at Gordon College, review this information from Student Life.

snow day policy

In the event that the college closes due to inclement weather, Jenks Library will be open 10:00am to 9:00pm. If the building is experiencing a power outage, a decision to remain open will be made on that day. 

Donation policy beneath an empty boxThank you for thinking of Jenks Library! Fill out this form to schedule a donation appointment! We cannot accept donations without an appointment.

We do accept:

• Donations of all types of books that align with our collection and mission.

We cannot accept:

• CDs, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, computer software, textbooks more than 10 years old, magazines, encyclopedias, or outdated reference materials.
• Books with mold, mildew, excessive dust or dirt, water damage, excessive marks or highlights, or missing pages.

 

Set up your Library Account


 

Winn Library, 1954

One of the first buildings on the campus, the Winn Library was constructed in the early 1950s. It is now the main location for Jenks's general circulating collection, also known as the stacks. 

Winn Library Groundbreaking

Featured in this picture are Lawrence Anderson breaking ground for the Winn Library, while Gordon's third president T. Leonard Lewis looks on along with William T. Sheppard.

Winn Library, 1960

The original entrance into the library. Now students can enjoy this space in the outdoor patio study space. 

Jenks Library Groundbreaking, 1986

The Jenks Learning Resource Center (now known as Jenks Library) wing was added onto the Winn Library building in Spring 1986. Named for James and Evelyn Jenks, Evelyn is featured here at the groundbreaking with Gordon sixth president Richard Gross. 

Jenks Library Groundbreaking

Featured left to right: John Beauregard, Jenks Library's former director, R. Judson Carlberg, Dean of Faculty and Gordon's seventh President, Marjorie Davis, Wenham selectman, Kai Williams, Student Body President, and Nathan Goff, Director of Alumni Affairs & Church Relations. 

Jenks Library Construction, Summer 1986

The Jenks Library wing became the new main entrance into the library and now houses circulation, the reference room, alumni reading room, Beauregard mezzanine, Bistro 255, and the Academic Success Center.