What do you think of the LIBRARY here at SCBC? Do you think of it as room with a bunch of shelving with books on them? Is it possible that the LIBRARY here is really much more than that? Those of us that are involved in the library know that it is much more than that! The library is a viable Ministry of this church, not only viable but VITAL ministry. This ministry is unique because it is the only ministry that actually supports all other ministries in the church. The “old view” of a library needs to be “DELETED” if you think it is just a room with books. When it comes to the library here at SCBC our TEAM has a heart for ministry. Here are some examples of the support for other ministries here:
Men’s ministry—Wild Game Events- BIG GAME SHOOT for children
Children’s Ministry---Great Eggsit and Light the Night-Bibleman RING TOSS
Die Cuts---Laminating---Craft Ideas
Children’s Bulletins to help children pay attention to Church Services
Sunday School & Discipleship---Teaching Aids, Reference materials and other support materials
Pastoral ministry---Mediagraphies available on request on what ever “Study” Is currently being done
Children’s Church---Bible Stories, DVD’s and Books to support what is being taught In that time frame.
All Ages---Greeting cards for all occasions
Book and Bible Repair
Need IT basket-do you need a needle & thread, Eyeglass repair kit, Fingernail file or Band-Aid. We have those too!
Outreach---Library OPEN to community on Thursday Nights, before and after all services
Letters to all VISITORS inviting them to use our library which will encourage them to return to THIS CHURCH
Adults---Coffee and a gathering place to just sit down and talk with people you don’t get time to talk to very often. (Check us out on Wednesday evenings.)
Homeschoolers---many resources to support the education of the next generation from a Biblical Standpoint and general knowledge
Even provided a class on the Dewey Decimal system and would like to provide additional classes on other aspects of library work in the future
Storage of Homeschool materials.
Youth---We have several “Kits” available that will be excellent material for their study
Missions---Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Collecting Eye Glasses and Eye Drops for Mission Trips
Prayer---National Day of Prayer Event open to the Community and other churches
VBS---Support materials, Craft Ideas, Overhead projectors for background setting
Families---Summer Media Programs that help children maintain their reading levels during the summer vacation and encouraging family time
Media in all formats with good Christian Values
Choir---Accompaniment CD’s for Soloists and ‘coming soon’ many piano music books
Other Libraries---We offer training for others libraries (church, public and private schools, and public libraries) by planning and hosting annual Central Alabama Spring Library Workshop
This list is just a few things we do to provide ministry to our church and community. We are also open to IDEAS for other ways to support this church and ministry for Christ!
In Service to Christ,
Marty
Comments
Your article and a meeting at church have been an inspiration in re-imagining the church library as an active and purposeful ministry.
I am working with another committee to set up a 'free library' box in the parking lot area (we are calling ours the Book Stop: Take-Read-Return) to connect with community members who may not be able to get out or work strange hours or might be homeless. Each book will have a bookmark with an open invitation to visit, use the library etc.
I am planning some community story times, teaching volunteers to read to children, etc.
Thanks again!
Thank you for posting these great ideas!
Thank you! This has given me some wonderful ideas!