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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Well,
Three weeks after I started my campaign, I received a "cease and desist" order. I had quadrupled the circulation to 16 (as opposed to two or three per month). Supposedly, people don't like the inserts in the bulletin and don't like seeing an extra table of books in the church. I had set up a special display in the back near the door to the fellowship hall for Memorial Day.
Pastor wants me to start a Book Club beginning with What's So Amazing About Grace? by Yancey. I'm all for it, but he wants everyone to read the same book. Supposedly, this will draw people into the library once a month. He is not interested in my doing a children's reading program... they don't want to read books, anyway ????? Wish I could get him and the deacons to visit our public library and see the fabulous changes and multi-programs they have going for this community that supposedly doesn't read. Interesting point - we are a town of around 1,000 people, but in the entire library system, our town's circulation is higher than towns three to four times our size.
OK, so now it's up to God.
This is to agree with In Spirit and to add what we are doing in our library. We have set up a Men's area with two bookshelves that are a direct walk from the door to the library. We realized that men do not like to browse the general shelves to find a book. This has improved the flow of men who hardly ever visited the library. We have one bookshelf for men's non-fiction and one for men's fiction for them that seems to make it easier for them to choose. There is another bookshelf in another part of the library for women's special interest like Patsy Clairmont and others like her besides any thing that pertains to the feminine person. We have also re-numbered non fiction with a general Dewey number on the outside label such as Bible ans subjects pertaining to that area as 220, 247 as Parenting, 246 as Marriage, 248 as Christian Living 237 as prophecy, 240 as Ideologies, 242 encouragement, 266 Missions(including missionary biographies) , 267 Biographies. We have set it up as a bookstore would do it but the Dewey Decimal number is still on the book card. It has made it easier for people to find what they want and the books within that number are in alphabetical order. This way might entice people into the library along with a summer reading program for both children and adults. This is how we are making our library, which is not in a large room, more easily used. P.S. Also, their numbers are preceded by the letter M for men and the women's by W. General area has no designated letter preceding the number,
Thanks for the suggestions. I really like these ideas. Will see what I can do to implement them. I especially like your addition to the Dewey Numbers. It will be an easy matter to print an additional spine label (maybe in color) and add to the spine.
Wow, that's hard. Could you ask them for six months to try to generate more traffic, and then work hard during that time to increase your library's exposure and bring people in?
I can understand the desire for a multi-purpose room, but can the library be set up to be that and still have books available? that might actually bring in more library traffic. I wish our library was big enough to include some tables and chairs so it could be used for meetings, but it's not that big a space and we have 7000+ books etc, so it's pretty much just a library.
Out of curiosity, how big is your church?
Hi Debbi,
7,000 books... wow! What is your attendance at church? Any idea of your circulation of books and materials? It might be helpful for me to know.
Our church nearly fell apart a few years ago, so membership dropped to about 30 to 40 regulars. Over the past two years we have built a huge building that can seat over 300 people. Our sanctuary has basketball hoops, an indoor archery range (for the Center Shot program) and markings on the floor for AWANA. Since our little town is a gateway for Yellowstone National Park, we are planning on using the facility as a retreat for pastors and Christian families. So far, we have had several groups camping on the floor in the sanctuary.
We have a new, enthusiastic pastor who has some fantastic ideas. We are now up to about 75 to 90 regular attendees. Pastor Geoff wants me to start a book club, which will begin in a few weeks. (still recovering from a few cancer issues)
I'm all for a multi-purpose room in the Library, as long as it doesn't interfere with the Library Ministry. The deacons and pastor can't seem to understand (or don't want to understand) that if you remove the circulation desk and the on-line card catalog, the program is dead. People can't access the materials they need.
For two weeks now I've been promoting the library with a half-sheet bulletin insert. One side is "Notes from the Librarian's Desk" with a little promo of some sort on a specific issue and the other side is a short list of new books I've just finished processing. "For the Grownups"; For the Youth"; "For the Kids". I list two or three titles each with a brief summary. Plus, I've been allowed to keep a table exhibiting new books in the foyer next to the coffee machine.
I must say, circulation has picked up a bit. (14 titles checked out as of last Sunday) as opposed to 2-3 titles per month.
I'm thinking maybe I just need some prayer and a bit of gumption.
We have 500+ people, so it's quite a different situation! I don't really know what our circulation is but at a guess, I'd say we have about 50+ items going out every week. NO idea how accurate that is - it's not something we've tracked (and our borrowing items is not recorded on-line, we just have cards in pockets in the books, and a box where we keep the cards of borrowed items.
It sounds like you're doing the right things, with the insert and publicizing some of your materials. I hope the leadership comes around!
If you don't mind saying, in which town is your church? My husband and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone this fall! I'm very excited; I've never been there and he hasn't been there since he was a kid.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
What direction are you coming from? We are in Dubois, Wyoming, one of the most remote towns in the lower 48 states. We have about 1,000 people.
We're on Highway 26 / 287.
Our three nearest towns are Lander and Riverton to the east and Jackson Hole to the west. We are roughly 80 miles in any direction to all three towns. We're about 85 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. I would be thrilled to meet you and hope you have a chance to visit our lovely little town.
Dubois is a beautiful little town. We have all sorts of things going on. Starting in June there will be rodeos every Friday night. Plus depending on when you get here, we have chariot races, packhorse races, and even a buffalo BBQ which brings in people from all over the state. This place is a photographer's dream. Oh, and we have the most scenic landfill on the planet.
Many local artists, silversmiths, leather smiths, etc. in town. Several amazing restaurants, but no franchises! We have an outstanding Senior Center where you can get a great lunch Mon. - Fri. at noon for $3.00 (non-seniors are $7.00)
Dubois is about 7,000 feet elevation, situated in a protective bowl surrounded by mountains. We are surrounded by wilderness which is the home to grizzly bear, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and mule deer. Oh, and the Wind River runs through town as well as several fantastic trout streams. (Our pastor is planning on teaching a class in fly-fishing this summer)
Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a Christian Librarian's Convention here one year? Here's a link to our church's website.
http://www.duboischurch.com/WBC/Welcome.html
So what is the weather like right now??
That all sounds very interesting! We haven't totally planned our trip yet but it seems the best place to fly into is probably Helena, and we'll figure it out from there. We are thinking about September (shortly after Labor Day, most likely).
Thanks for the information! If we have any questions, it's nice to know I have a source!!
Linda
You are so right that the library is a ministry that supports every other ministry in the church. It provides resources to support family needs, Bible study and even Christ centered family oriented entertainment. It seems to be a problem in many churches where some of the leaders somehow can't catch the vision. I had a Deacon tell me about 10 to 12 years ago that we needed to cut back on our space because with the internet book shelving would be drastically reduced. Even though we do now check out eBooks our demand for printed books is as healthy as ever. Printed books will not die. We had to add new shelving just two years ago.
Keep on promoting your library. Try to obtain some of the latest most popular titles and I feel certain your ministry will prosper and grow. And, yes, you do need to keep your catalog on-line. Many of the younger generation don't know how to use a card catalog any more which is a shame. I still have my card catalog shelf list which I keep up to date.
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