Church Libraries

I have just begun volunteering at our church library and it's a good library with lots of great books, but they say no one ever comes in there much. It's a big church and it just amazes me that they say no one comes in there much. We are going to start putting up some little posters etc. and maybe have a blurb in the church bulletin or something. Anyone have any ideas? I am a book person and have volunteered in libraries before and want to make a difference and make this my ministry. I would appreciate any ideas that you have done at your church or have seen done at other churches. Thanks a million! Love, Joni

I know that the church I used to go to had some ancient books, but none of the more modern books available. Making sure you have some of the recent releases would be one suggestion. Another would be to put a blurb in the church bulletin each month featuring a book. I started a children's library at one church I attended. The kids loved it. I got members to donate the books for it. I am also a book person, I am a member of Crossings Book Club, and I just love to read. Good luck with your ministry. Hugs, Trish

Thank you! Putting a blurb in the church bulletin each month or even each week would be a do-able thing. Our church has all the new, modern books. I just don't think anyone realizes it. I have been going crazy reading all the books I've been seeing at the Christian Book Stores, but couldn't afford to buy them, but now I've discovered that I can check them out at our library. I'd like to start a bookstore too at the library and get members to donate books and sell them for like 25 cents for paperbacks and 50 cents for hardbacks and then using the money to purchase even more books for the library. The only problem with that, that I can think of, is that everything that is done at the church, you have to form a committee, people have to vote and there are 3-4 people there who have to complain and boycott everything that is done. You know how that goes. But I'm going to check it out anyway. Thanks for taking the time to write when I know you're feeling bad. I really appreciate it. Love, Joni

Maybe you could fashion it like the popular half-price book stores. Buy good used books for 1/4 of their published price and re-sell them for 1/2 of the published price. Use the profit to purchase new books for the library. Give in-store credit for donated books to be used to buy 1/2 price books so you don't end up putting money out before you start taking money in. Hopefully, advertising this will get more people into the library. Blessings, Annette

I thought about that, but we will have no budget to start off with and I don't think people will spend more than 25-50 cents on most books. So we would just have to start out with only donated books. Thanks for the idea. The more ideas that I get mulling about in my head, the more it will gel together and God will put ideas in my head too. He will be the brains in this venture. Blessings to you, Joni