I'm looking for the previous CLN articles describing how an enrichment center varies from our traditional church libray. Seems like there were suggested classes, discussions and activities. How does our traditional library need to change to draw today's church goers?
Leslie Kenley
Replies
Marlee's rebranding of her library shows that it is important to align with the church's mission and vision. The church must see the library as relevant and that is not your grandmother's library. Young people today need to also see it as convenient. For example, our library's integrated system allows them to go into an app, search the library, and reserve the materials. I can have it ready for them for pick up. Many do everything on their phone now and if we can respond to that, it is a good thing. I also deliver books to the child development center. The teacher has a written list that she drops off at the library for me to check out for her.
Rhonda Rolen
My church is definately a "non-trad" church, but is growing like crazy. One of the missions is to provider home schooling as well as a church university on campus. The library is right in the middle of the "education floor." It is hard to get the word out to the rest of the church that we have a library upstairs, but I am using our students to invite their parents. So, I have emphasized kids in the decor of the library, with a wall of serious Bible study and minimum adult fiction [space restrictions]. I still have a no due date policy.
After attending Morlee's training re: her new approach, I tried theming the library "Fishers of Men," which was modestly successful, but them we had a church split and then a merger. So I have kept the theme, but downplayed it for the time being.
You will find in the articles about Enrichment Center titles, that various titles are used these days. Early in my tenure as leader of our library team, I met with our church staff. I introduced the concept of a Disciple Making Center that the Lifeway Church Library team was developing with churches. It was our approach to use the “social” library approach. During that meeting, the church staff asked that we not call the new library a “library” because it did not align with our new church focus on discipleship. They talked about several titles then settled on Enrichment Center because it captures what the library would be doing, who we are, and why we exist. During our 6 years so far, the title Enrichment Center has been very valuable for drawing attention and people to use the library. We continue to use the title “library” because the collection of books is a strategic aspect of the Enrichment Center. Each of our churches are unique. No one way for all churches to do and be these days works anymore. I am attaching a description of a Disciple Making Center for our discussion. Yes, all of us are already doing these things but are they valued by our church staff and leaders? What is the Disciple Making Center?