Contributed by Sue Berthelot

Organization in the library is important for its efficient operation. How do we keep vital
information easily accessible and up to date? One tool to help accomplish this goal is a Desk
Book. It should contain all policies, procedures, and forms related to the operation of the library
arranged in orderly manner.

The benefits of building a well-organized Desk Book will become apparent as it is assembled
and used. With policies and procedures at your fingertips it will allow for consistency and take
away the guess work. Referring to the Desk Book will also assist with future planning and help
maintain efficient records.

Many of the reproducible forms in the resource Church Library Ministry Information Service can
be copied and placed in the Desk Book for ease of use. On pages 29 – 30 of the manual is a
suggested list of forms and information to include in your customized desk book. Secure the
desired information and organize it in to a workable desk book to suit the needs of your library.
As information becomes outdated remove it from the book. It will be confusing to team members
if there are conflicting copies of a policy.

Other helpful information to add to the Desk Book might be a care and repair manual, a booklet
showing how to prepare media for circulation, services of the library and a map of the church.
The map should include the location of each age level class and be updated each year. As your
Desk Book grows you may choose to move some of the information to separate a procedures
manual, as discussed on Page 31 of the Church Library Ministry Information Service resource, to
make it easier to access the information.

A Desk Book is not a resource that will be quickly put together. It is a tool that will evolve over
time. As it is used team members will suggest other sections that need to be added. Customize
your Desk Book to your specific needs to help your library function in the best possible way. In
time everyone will wonder how the library ever functioned without this valuable tool.
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Sue Berthelot is the library team leader for Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzalez. LA. She also serves as a Lifeway Church Library Ministry Specialist.

Click here to download: BuildingaDeskBook

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Comments

  • Good to know, LeVelle. We need to do the same thing.
  • Thank you. We are working on updating our Desk Book & this was helpful.
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