History of Church Libraries

Great request! You will find the history of church libraries in Southern Baptist life in the book Church Library Ministry Information Service which is now in a digitized format and free. Church Library Ministry Information Service. Since the publication of this book in 2004, Lifeway continued to support church libraries with training events in the state conventions. The number of Southern Baptist churches continued declining for various reasons. In recent years the Annual Church Profile stopped including church library directors so we have no way to track the status of SBC church libraries.

Lifeway reorganized again a few years ago that changed to age group departments replacing program departments since the churches were doing the same thing. The very last program they stopped supporting was Church Library Mnistry when they ended my contract. Most of the state conventions replaced the programs with a focus on church planting. Note that Lifeway supported church librarians for 93 years.

After 2004, the Church Library Ministry National Team lost Rita Kirkland, Beth Andrews, and Eva Nell Hunter when they passed away. We only have 2 states left who support training for church librarians: Alabama and Virginia. Due to limited funding, travel is hindered so Carolyn Walker, Bev League, and myself are the only trainers left. Hope and Sue participate with us on the Church Librarians Network when they are available.

When the Lifeway church library website ended, we started the Church Librarians Network on NING. We did not connect it to Lifeway because we had no clue when church library support would be cut. We have 3 software companies and recently added Overdrive as our sponsors who pay the NING expenses. I am a volunteer just like most librarians both in my church family and the CLN family.

So when I retired in 2008 I continued Church Librarians Network to this day and plan to never stop. Our membership continues to grow and just about all of our new members are starting or revitalizing church libraries. That means that an increasing number churches maybe embracing church libraries as ministries in their churches.

The CLN has a diverse audience of denominations and synagogues although I have no way of confirming that unless our new members share that when they join. Perhaps those of you in other denominations and those in the remaining library interdenominational associations would add your stories to this history request.

Replies

Morlee Maynard May 30, 2025 8:45

Great request! You will find the history of church libraries in Southern Baptist life in the book Church Library Ministry Information Service which is now in a digitized format and free. Church Library Ministry Information Service. Since the publication of this book in 2004, Lifeway continued to support church libraries with training events in the state conventions. The number of Southern Baptist churches continued declining for various reasons. In recent years the Annual Church Profile stopped including church library directors so we have no way to track the status of SBC church libraries.

Lifeway reorganized again a few years ago that changed to age group departments replacing program departments since the churches were doing the same thing. The very last program they stopped supporting was Church Library Mnistry when they ended my contract. Most of the state conventions replaced the programs with a focus on church planting. Note that Lifeway supported church librarians for 93 years.

After 2004, the Church Library Ministry National Team lost Rita Kirkland, Beth Andrews, and Eva Nell Hunter when they passed away. We only have 2 states left who support training for church librarians: Alabama and Virginia. Due to limited funding, travel is hindered so Carolyn Walker, Bev League, and myself are the only trainers left. Hope and Sue participate with us on the Church Librarians Network when they are available.

When the Lifeway church library website ended, we started the Church Librarians Network on NING. We did not connect it to Lifeway because we had no clue when church library support would be cut. We have 3 software companies and recently added Overdrive as our sponsors who pay the NING expenses. I am a volunteer just like most librarians both in my church family and the CLN family.

So when I retired in 2008 I continued Church Librarians Network to this day and plan to never stop. Our membership continues to grow and just about all of our new members are starting or revitalizing church libraries. That means that an increasing number churches maybe embracing church libraries as ministries in their churches.

The CLN has a diverse audience of denominations and synagogues although I have no way of confirming that unless our new members share that when they join. Perhaps those of you in other denominations and those in the remaining library interdenominational associations would add your stories to this history request.
- Sarah > Morlee Maynard May 31, 2025 0:57
  
  Thank You Morlee

This reply was deleted.