Library

Library Improvements Underway

Library’s Most-Wanted List

New Magazines Coming To Church Library

Our library is undergoing big improvements.  In summer 2011, a dedicated group of church members got together to see what could be done to better share and organize the thousands of items and resources available in our library.

In July 2011, a library board was formed consisting of Diane Bodalski, Ginger Campion, Jennifer Klett, Ann Lang, and Tracy Meser, all of whom have either professional or volunteer library experience.  In November, Nancy Wagner replaced board member Ginger Campion, as Ginger moved to Florida.  According to church records, the church library began in 1968 by Trudy Adams, Nancy Prosser and Ida Hauter.  Education Coordinators have historically been involved in our library.  Sue Kindberg was instrumental in the  1980s and ‘90s.  Recently, Ann Lang has been overseeing the library. 

The library board has been meeting monthly to establish policies and goals.  Some of the goals include:

 

  • Modernize the library to become completely automated with a computerized catalog, bar codes, and a scanner to better utilize and keep track of the approximately 2,000 volumes worth thousands of dollars.

 

  • Offer well-defined areas such as Christian fiction, large print, audio books, music CDs, DVDs, United Methodist Women, and periodicals in an attractive, organized fashion with clear signage and comfortable chairs.  Many thanks to Kathleen Blake who professionally designed a new library layout.

 

  • Develop a Teen area for teens and older ‘tweens, an age group that was previously underserved by the church library. 

 

  • Designate a Children’s area with board books, picture books, Christian fiction, juvenile nonfiction, audio books, CDs, DVDs and software.

 

  • Switch to a “bookstore” model instead of the Dewey Decimal System for nonfiction in Children, Teen and Adult areas for easier browsing and more appealing displays.  New areas in adult nonfiction include “Men”, “Marriage/Family/Home Life”, “Bible Study”, and “Health/Fitness”.

 

  • Recruit a volunteer library staff to offer tours, help issue library cards, and assist in self-check out during established library hours.  Library hours will begin with Sunday mornings in 2012 and possibly expand to include other regular hours such as during Mothers Day Out times, etc. 

 

  • Maintain an ongoing book sale to raise funds to help purchase new items.  The adult book sale is in the library.  The children’s book sale is in the east corridor near the Mothers Day Out exit.  Please check out our bargains.

 

  • Purchase new, comfortable matching chairs and tables for studying, reading, and meetings that are held in the library.

 

If you would like to help the church library ministry, please contact a library board member.  Each volunteer serves 3 to 4 Sunday mornings a year while helping to serve others.  New or gently-used Christian-based books and media donations are greatly appreciated. 

 

Library’s Most-Wanted List

 

Do you have any Christian-based books, CDs, or DVDs that you’ve enjoyed but now wish to share?  Doing any downsizing, de-cluttering or housecleaning?  Please consider donating items in good to excellent condition to our church library.  A labeled donation box is now available in the library for your convenience.  In particular, we are expanding certain areas and need:

 

  • TEEN CHRISTIAN BOOKS AND MEDIA

 

  • MUSIC CDs
  1. Contemporary Christian CDs by artists such as Brandon Heath, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, TobyMac, Newsboys, Third Day, etc. 

 

  1. Traditional Christian CDs including hymns, classical and chorus. 

 

  1. Holiday CDs, especially religious Christmas music.

 

  • DVDs

Hollywood releases with a Christian message. 

Part of an effort to improve your church library and spread the Good News.

New Magazines Coming To Church Library

 

Watch for new magazines available for check out in our “new and improved” church library.  They include:

  • Christianity Today – a popular magazine on Christianity.
  • Clubhouse – published monthly by Focus on the Family for 8 to 12 year-old children (located in our children’s area).
  • Decision – published monthly by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
  • Guideposts – monthly inspirational interfaith magazine to help readers reach their spiritual potential.
  • Relevant – bimonthly magazine for Christians in their 20s published by Focus on the Family.
  • Susie – published monthly for Christian teen girls (located in our teen area).

Don’t forget our current magazines:

  • Good News – bimonthly magazine for United Methodist renewal.
  • New World Outlook – bimonthly magazine published by the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC.
  • Response – official magazine of the United Methodist Women published by the Women’s Division of the UMC.

Thanks to donations from Mel Johnson, Diane Bodalski, Jennifer Klett, and the United Methodist Women.