Lee Smith and his Virginia Church Library Association is considering a list of books to recommend to new church libraries. Back in the 40s, The Sunday School Board church library specialist put together an annual huge list of book titles for all church librarians to consider for their church's collections. The SBC Archives actually has these lists. With such diversity in library collection policies today, such a lists might be unrealistic. What books would you recommend that Lee and his team include on their list?
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Good News For Little Hearts (10-Book Set) – Westminster Bookstore (... [ I believe they are also available from Amazon.com and Grace and truth. Scripture verses help little ones combat sinful habits and grow in grace].
Good Picture’s Bad Pictures (Jr- 3-5), Jensen, and also for other children 7-11 – pornography prevention (Amazon.com); I second the motion on the God Made series. All are good. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn- too many to list.
Anything by Francine Rivers, Lynette Eason, Davis Bunn, Robert Whitlow, Jody Hedlund, Randy Singer, Angela Hunt, Michael Phillips, DiAnn Mills, Irene Hannon, and many others.
I think one of the best books for any library for understanding people would be The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser.
Another great book, I feel, for helping people to understand and deal with people issues would be Take Charge by Joan K. Cannie
Some of my suggestions (these will be from a general Christian Protestant point of view):
How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth and How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Godon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart are a great place for Christians to start learning how to dive into scripture. I would also include a layperson's systematic theology that alligns with your church's statement of faith.
Classical Christian fiction from the likes of C. S. Lews, Tolkien, and books that have stood the test of time like Pilgrim's Progress are always great. There are many good modern English translations of PP, and I particularly like ones that have the scripture references included within the text of the story. For middle grade there is a beautifully illustrated version of PP here. Also, for even littler readers, this version.
Also for the littles (and the bigs, like myself), I am a huge fan of collecting hymns and well-known bible passages made into picture books. I have found beautfully illustrated picture books of Psalm 23, For the Beauty of the Earth, The Lord's Prayer, Morning Has Broken, Psalm 8, and many more. This is a great way for both parents and children to engage with songs and scriptures we use in worship.
Furthermore, a catechism or doctrinal statement aimed at children is also great for children AND parents. New City Catechism for Kids and The Ology are great examples. On that note, here is another Christian children's series that I have recently gotten into with my kids: the God Made series. If these don't suite, find some within your own tradition.
I would include some Christian apologetics titles (like those by Josh McDowell), since having an answer for our faith is often on the hearts and minds of our church members.
If your church has a denomination or long history, finding biographies of missionaries or well known teachers within your denomination may help connect your congregation to the saints who have gone before them. If you do not have a denomination, general biographies or writings of the likes of Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Jim Elliot, and others can be meaninful inspirational reading.
Bible handbooks, particularly those regarding Bible history, themes, cultures, people, etc, can be useful to those wanting to go deeper into the context of scripture in the time and place it was written.
I'm not an expert in Christian fiction, so I will leave that to others.
Also, if your pastor/priest or anyone within your denomination/tradition has written books, study guides, etc - it would be nice to have them in your collection. You can also ask for copies of group Bible studies that may be leftover to keep on the shelf as a reference. If your church studies books of the bible in small group setting regularly, ask for an extra copy of the leader guide or main text. Over time, this can build your reference collection of commentaries/teachings on particular books and themes.
These two are a good place to start for a reference shelf:
New Bible Dictionary : Third Edition, Leicester, England ; Downers Grove, Ill. : InterVarsity Press, 1996, ISBN 9780830814398.
New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition, Leicester, England ; Downers Grove, Ill. : InterVarsity Press, 1994, ISBN 9780851106489.
Charles Campbell, Grace Pointe Church Library, Montgomery, AL
Thank you for the suggestions.
Lee,
Would you be willing to share the list with us, if it ever gets created?