Q&A

Replies

  • 387vkuoqodhax November 3, 2012 8:33

    Janet,

        Our children's library expanded after a re-start about 6 years ago with 625 items that were there. When I got involved in the library I asked to automate it, and I wanted it to be able to meet the needs of our entire church family--nursery to senior citizen. Since the budget was quite small, we put the word out to the church family that we were accepting contributions of used items. To date, our church family has been very generous, plus I have been the recipient of additional donations from my childhood church that they were unable to use.  We are currently at 3500+ items in our small space, with approximately 2/3 of this amount being those donations.  There are another 650+ items in boxes awaiting when we can expand. Anything that comes in and is a duplication or of lesser quality or content than we desire, we pass on to another church library to use.  Should it be something we wouldn't put in our own church library, we take it to the Salvation Army.

        Donations are a wonderful thing, but there can be some drawbacks if you don't have a policy in place to qualify what you will accept. I believe suggestions on these 'qualifiers' have been listed already. Another possibility is that you will receive a book in a series and it won't be the first of the series, or perhaps the next one you would want to fill out the series.  That is where used books at Amazon come is so handy.  I have been able to fill out a series by purchasing the missing ones through Amazon at a very reasonable price.  Again, mention has been made of being mindful of the history of the seller, but I have had only experience where one item was less desirable than advertised. 

        I suggest a bulletin ad mentioning that you will accept donations (pending approval by anyone necessary on your church staff), that your donation policy will be on display in the library, and then where they can put the donations.  Pray for the Lord to spur your church family to give items they have at home and may never use again. They can bless others with their donations. Then sit back and watch the blessings pour in. You will be as amazed as I have been. 

    Best,

    MaryLou

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    • Janet Estridge October 18, 2012 23:46

      Dear Melissa,

      Thanks for some very good ideas. Thanks also for taking the time to help me with this.

      Janet.

  • Bev Etzelmueller October 16, 2012 8:47

    Excellent thoughts by Eva Nell Hunter.  I have heard of this being done at a few churches.  Keep in mind that not all bookstores are willing to work this out, but be persistent.

     

    I should have mentioned this sooner.  At our church, we have a binder at the Welcome Center that gives members the opportunity to sign up for flowers on the altar on a designated Sunday in honor of a special event or in memory of loved ones.  On the alternative page of the binder listed by months, the members have the opportunity to sign up for a library book or DVD given in honor or memory of loved ones.  I charge $15 for each book chosen.  Yes hardcover books cost more than $15, but I cover that balance cost through my yearly library budget.  If a book is requested for a child, I aim to be sensitive to the age of the child to try to match the age of the character or reading level of the book with the donor.  I gain 70-90 books each year in this manner.  I have a supply of books in my closet if the family wants to select their own book.  I shy away from letting the donor purchase the book as there tends to be duplicates if using this method.

     

    You have lots of ideas to work towards.  Let us know how it goes.  Peace

    • Janet Estridge > Bev Etzelmueller October 18, 2012 14:05

      Dear Eva Nell and Bev,

      Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

      I can' wait to get started on yours and every one else's ideas and suggestions.

      Sorry for not getting back with you sooner but have been out of town.

       

  • Bev Etzelmueller October 14, 2012 12:41

    If you look at a specific book title on Amazon, there is the title author, etc at the top along with the price.  Then Amazon tells you the shipping options.  Under that it says the # of NEW books available from Amazon and the right of that, the # of used.  Not all books have the options of used books.  I hope this answers your used book questions.

     

    Chapter Librarian meetings are regional meeting through a larger church librarians association.  Examples are National Church Librarians Association (NCLA), Church & Synagouge Librarians Association, ECLA is Evangelical church Librarians Association.  There are chapters regional meetings usually twice a year.  Our SE Wisconsin has a chapter through CSLA.  Also, CSLA has a national conference once a year.  In 2013 members will be meeting in western NC.  Association fees are usually $40-50 a year and receive newsletters and resources.  You can look on the Internet at the various websites for more details on these associations.  NCLA will no longer be a national organization after the first of 2013, but the chapters continue.  If you tell me where you are located geographically, I can see if there is a local chapter that you can connect to.  If none, then this Q&A format is a good way to communicate with other librarians. 

    • Janet Estridge > Bev Etzelmueller October 14, 2012 15:58

      Dear Bev,

      I'll have to check out Amazon's website when I get a chance. I'm sorry to hear that NCLA will no longer be a national organization.

      I live in the Sunshine State, central Florida. I'm not looking forward to cooler weather either.

      Thanks again !

      Janet Estridge.

       

  • Bev Etzelmueller October 13, 2012 8:16

    I was at a chapter librarians meeting last Saturday and it was suggested that purchased gently used books from Amazon can be a great savings.  The librarian bought 8 books for $38.  Just watch the postage that these purchases can accumulate.  Alse Abe Books website is a good, but again there is postage involved.  Pay attention to the details of the descriptions.  You'll get to know certain vendors that you can trust.  Good luck.

    • Janet Estridge > Bev Etzelmueller October 14, 2012 6:23

      Dear Bev,

      Do any of these vendors offer free shipping ? As I told Annie I wasn't aware that Amazon had a used book section. What is a chapter librarian ?

      Thanks for answering my question.

      Janet Estridge.

  • Sandra Fitts June 5, 2012 23:30

    Another thought is to create a list of authors and/or titles that you want to add and ask your church members to donate their copies "when they are finished reading" -- some folks just can't wait to buy that just released book!  I've had several offered or brought in to the library as a gift very soon after I bought the item!  

    When you make the list, be very specific with instructions that any donated items must meet the same criteria as purchased items as stated in your selection policy.

    • Janet Estridge > Sandra Fitts October 14, 2012 6:20

      Dear Sandra,

      I never thought about asking members to donate their books.

      Thanks again for helping me with this.

      Janet Estridge.

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