Q&A

Trying to restart an old library

Posted by Sarah Parkman on June 13, 2010 at 19:40

We are trying to restart an old library at Prentiss Baptist Church. We have a room used jointly with a Sunday School class and some committee meetings. The room is in a good location for a library and has old but usable shelving.

The problem......Most books are copyrighted no later than the late seventies and are not in very attractive condition. What to do with all these hundreds of old books, is the main problem. We have boxed them up and are going through them gradually weeding them but it is a very slow job and there are so many books that just do not come up to the standards we need for an attractive, appealing collection.

Any suggestions, guidance, encouragement, would be appreciated.

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Replies

  • Rita Kirkland June 15, 2010 17:49
    Wow! I'm boxing up my over 26,000 items as I am reading this. We are remodeling - new carpet, new paint, some added shelving. I am weeding as I go, and I understand what you are doing! You know, books that old really are out dated. I'm sure your membership will not use them because the information will not be helpful. Of course the Bible doesn't change and great volumes with this type of information are always used. Why not just get rid of all of those and begin with a few great books and go from there. Have a media fair and make a list of books you would like to have. Ask people to donate new, gently used media that isn't marked up. The building of the collection is something the church membership should do with pride and conviction. Encourage yourself and don't use media that is unattractive, dirty, moldy and yellowed. Use your selection policy and have a great time. Don't you love what we do?!!!

    I do want to encourage you. I am so excited for you. I love to hear of new libraries and resurected ones. I always call them Lazarus Libraries. Do post a picture when you get this all done. I love seeing what the different libraries are doing.

    Rita Kirkland
    • Sarah Parkman > Rita Kirkland June 15, 2010 21:12
      Thank you for your reply. I realize now, I should have weeded when I was boxing. Sorta did it backwards. I'm a little out of practice, it's been a few years since I was a church librarian.
      You gave some very good and workable suggestions and we look forward to getting started with some of them. A Lazarus Library, I like that.
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