Because circulation is low (I've not done much the past year due to cancer treatments) the deacons want to get rid of the library computer and desk and put in easy chairs and sofas so folks can sit and relax. It's a new library in a new church building (two years in the making). I've already processed nearly 1,000 books.
Their argument is that they don't want to spend any more money on the library for shelving (or whatever)since very few people use it and turn it into a multi purpose room. I really haven't had much of an opportunity to promote it.
I've told them that I don't mind the room being multi purpose, but we have a MINISTRY designed to support all other ministries in the church. They can't seem to understand that without a card catalog (on the internet), the library is pretty much dead in the water.
They can't wrap their brains around that...Not sure how to convince them. Been praying a LOT lately about this.
Any suggestions?
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Hi Folks,
I want to thank you all for your support, encouragement, and prayers. And especially for the wonderful ideas you have suggested. I have already implemented some of them.
However, at this point, I need to make an apology. I met Monday evening with our pastor and deacons. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. It is not their intent to shut down the library, but simply to utilize the room in a different way. The books will stay and be available for check-out, but that room will be turned into a classroom/social room of some sort.
As of Tuesday morning, everything except the book shelves and cataloged books have been removed. It will be refurnished with whatever the deacons need to make it whatever they want it to be.
Unless I misunderstood, eventually a computer will be provided for access to the card catalog and for me to continue processing books. At this point in time, I am not sure how they plan on working this out, as there will be no place in the room for me to process books.
As I understand it, my supplies will be stored somewhere else in the building. When I need to work on cataloging, someone will have to pull the supplies out for me to use (I am disabled and cannot lug boxes around). Although the decision has not been finalized, the deacons suggested that we set up a table in the sanctuary for me to use. Of course, everything will have to be put away before services on Sunday or whenever some other group need to use the room.
I had a private talk with our pastor on Tuesday. He helped me understand that my emotions over the situation indicates that I have become too personally involved. It has become “my” library and not God's library. I am much calmer about this now and am sure that no matter what happens, God will prevail.
There is a silver lining in every cloud.
First put ego aside. I do not have “sweat equity” in your library, but you do. So it is easy for me to suggest they ego be dismissed. It’s much harder for you.
With sweat equity there is an increased worth of the library (over and above the money invested) created by the unpaid mental and physical hard work of the very dedicated librarian. There is an increased value of a library (over and above its purchase price) created by the hard work of the librarian in enhancing its amenities and looks.
Low circulation is not good, and this adds to the justification for getting rid of the library computer and desk. I do not know how Internet literate you are, but this situation could be the best thing that ever happened to your church library.
It should not matter where the books are located, as long as your patrons (church members) can access them. Here is a picture of me with my dual Panosonic headset on. Various companies sell these. They have volume controls, etc.
You could have the setup I have and help more people than you are helping now. If a patron has a library card, you can help that patron find a book, find reviews of the book, locate it at the local library, and place it on hold. The person will receive an email when he can go there and pick it up. If you local library does not have it, you can use interlibrary loan and have it shipped to your local library.
The “card catalog (on the internet)” that you refer to is miniscule compared to that of a public library, and certainly WorldCat. I believe you have a great opportunity that you have not seen.
Email me or call me if you want to.
I will be praying for and your church staff and deacons that their eyes may be opened to the great ministry of having a Media Center and a person who has felt called of God to be that person in their midst. You may not have the circulation they might wish, but it is a starting point. We all start somewhere and God takes over and does the rest. We are not a huge church (305 in Sunday School yesterday) but our circulation in the summer is great. Yesterday it was 186 books. We have a very simple Summer Reading Program for all ages and give small prizes for attaining certain goals. If a person reads 20 books during the summer they get a certificate for ice cream from a local store.
Perhaps if you would print a Mediagraphy for the deacons showing them the materials you have for their use they might see some value in maintaining the Media Center.
You are in my prayers.
How rude! Sometimes people are so uninformed. This touched a nerve with me because I see it coming in our church. The deacons and staff are on the young side now and I'm not sure they realize that about 1/3 of our congregation does not have internet. Because they read e-books they think everyone does. Although our pastor does still buy actual books now and then. I confess, I'm not a good promoter. I'm the church secretary and I put the inserts in the bulletin when we add new items and I put things on the table outside the Library door, but that's about it. It does generate some interest but not a lot. Our church has about 200-225 on Sunday Morning but I only have about 20? users. That's why I came here, I need ideas. I am constantly trying to ward off putting this class or that class in the Library. I've come to the point that if they want to do that they may need a new Librarian. We've been down that road before and it's a struggle every time the Library is open, moving chairs. Praying with you, Linda.
I'm glad Paul said what he did about the card catalog. When I started putting our books on software, I stopped doing the cards. While I'm in transition, I'm adding everything to an excel program so if anyone is looking for anything, I can find it. The software will print the cards, I just haven't got to that point yet.
Debbie, I am hopeful that if I can keep our library going, that I can implement some of the promotional activities our public library uses.
They have three book clubs going for kids and adults,
There is a weekly movie with popcorn and lemonade.
There is arts and crafts for the kids and special activities for adults.
Fizz - Boom- Read! Experiments and Scavenger Hunt for the kids.
Tweens and Teens summer reading program
Learn about Mules (guest speaker)
Learn about Weather (guest speaker)
Book Fair
Right now for their summer reading program for adults, every time someone attends one of their activities (including weekly movies) they earn "points". At the end of the summer, whoever has the most points will win a $100 gift certificate for groceries!
One of the things I want to do... should I be allowed... is to start a Puppetry Guild. Puppets are magic and kids of all ages love them. I can teach the kids how to make and use puppets. We can build sets of puppets to perform a number of Christian skits. I had thought that performing for our congregation, our Senior Center, and our Assisted Living Center would be a great way to get the kids into the public and our church into the public eye. ... Plus, having a chance to spread the gospel message.
Linda, I think your idea of puppetry for children would work once you've got the library functioning, but concentrating on the children is the best way to spark interest in having a library. A kids' summer reading program is a good way to start. We use a pirate's chest to keep little prizes in so they can choose what they want. Depending on how long it runs, DVDs are a great prize for the most books read. If you don't have children's books in your library, encourage them to get books from the public library this year just to jump start the program.
Once you create interest, a good way to attract the men is to start getting cowboy, sportsmen and athletes' biographies ( there are a lot of Christian men who have written their biographies that are these types, It has increased the use of our library quite a lot. Most men do not like to browse through general shelves, but they like their own section. Our room is 12'11" x 15'8" with a door on one wall and another on the wall perpendicular, it has two inside windows which cuts down on wall space but we have over 2000 books, a number of games and toys, approximately 200 DVDs, children's and family, and a children's area all in that space. We have a congregation of about 250 so we are not a large church! Try to let them know that having a Christian library is a good way to help our people in every way they need. God's perspective is not readily available in a public library! My e-mail is pnpatriciadee2@gmail.com if you need someone to help figure out things about the library.
Well, I got an email to meet with the deacons this coming Monday night.
Pray that God speaks through me and that His will be done. Especially pray that I take whatever happens gracefully. My husband says it's pretty much a done deal and we're only going through the motions.
One of the things I was told is that since this town is a town of non-readers (mostly cowboys, sportsmen, and athletes) that there is no point in spending any more money on the library, that the room can better serve the church as a sitting room and place for social activity. ...she rolls her eyes....
Got some interesting info from our public library. Although our town population is only about 1,000 people, the public library checks out around 2,000 books per MONTH! On a yearly basis, they serve 22,000 people. (they have a thingie that counts people every time they come into the building.) Some folks come in several times a week, that's why the numbers are so high.
My point will be that their information is wrong, We are a town of readers. In fact, the other two towns in our library district have 4,000 to 5,000 people. We still check out more material than towns four times larger than us.
A few weeks ago our pastor spoke about serving the needs of the community. He used 1 Corinthians 9:22 in which Paul said he would be all things to all people. In other words he would meet them where they are.
I'm in agreement that we need to draw more men, more cowboys, and more athletes into the church, but not at the cost of shutting off the significant number of readers in our community. Not everyone in this town is a competitive jock.
Recently, I've been helping a woman find material to share with her little six-year-old son to help him deal with the death of his eight-year-old brother.
And I'm searching now for books to help a young widow cope with the loss of her husband. There is very little in the line of Christian material in this town, so where can they find what they need if not at our church library?
This town is filled with wounded and hurting people. They are facing all sorts of heartache ranging from 3 suicides in eight years to drug addiction, to alcoholism, and worse. Through the church library ministry they can be helped. For those of you who don't know, it's called bibliotherapy.
Another church in town has heard about our library. They have some 300 books and have asked me to help catalog them. Funny thing, they recognize they need for a church library. ...surprise, surprise....
If only our deacons could understand that the Church Library Ministry is not about recreational reading or the occasional scholar combing the stacks, but in helping those in need.
Well, please pray for me and our church library.
Calling everyone to pray fro LINDA ANDERSON and the Church Library Ministry in her church in Wyoming. TONIGHT she will meet with deacons to present a convincing reason to continue the library ministry in the church.
Yes, the library ministry is a support ministry for each of the other church ministries -- but have you thought that it is the only ministry which can meet a need at the time of need? Who is available in the middle of the night when a grieving person can't sleep? The library can provide a book to help fill those lonely hours.
What child likes to cuddle up in Mommy or Daddy's lap with a Kindle or Nook reader? Not very fun if you can't turn the pages back and forth to see the pictures!
I pray that God, through Linda, will be able to gently lead those deacons and others to memories of times that books have helped someone in their daily lives.
I don't know what time the meeting is, but let's set a reminder to pray this evening between 6 pm and 8 pm . . . whatever time zone we are in.
Thinking of you today, Linda, as you prepare! God bless you!
Thanks Sandra,
The prayers are so important. I think I was fairly calm during the meeting. My husband was there to lend support, although he didn't have much to say. It seems they were aware that I had been discussing this here on CLN and felt I had given a wrong impression.
I explained that based on the small amount of information I had been given, it was inevitable that the Library Ministry would die out. They helped me understand that shutting down the library was not their intent.
I was given an opportunity to explain that the ministry goes far beyond recreational reading and the occasional scholar who wants to browse through the stacks. I explained how I was already using bibliotherapy to help several people in dealing with the death of a child and the needs of a young widow.
I explained that a library must be like a flowing river with fresh material coming in regularly. Otherwise it becomes a stagnant pool, a dead thing that no one will use. I think they understood because they assured me that I would still be able to process books, but that there was no budget (or room) for more bookshelves.
Their consensus was that my vision for the library was far too grand and that I need to keep it in proportion to the size of our congregation.
THis actually seems contrary to the purpose of the deacons role - at least from my church background - of reporting on the needs of the world around to the church as a whole...
Your updates on efforts sounds excellent - bringing the books into the church setting + promo - I'm wondering about Morlee's latest bulletin on Summer Reading Clubs. Is it possible to initiate + promo that option?
Even & especially into the community - getting good books into more hands.
The sofa convo area sounds like a great addition to the library - bringing people into the library space -
but not as replacement for desk/pc.
And re- your health concerns - any other church members who'd be good staff to lighten your load? gets them participating and involved which always increases commitment and support... blessings as you open heart and mind to leading of H Sp wisdom and counsel in next steps. Remembering God is a Creator filled with new and inventive ideas =)) !
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