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Mar
17
Written by:
host
3/17/2009 7:00 AM
 Computerizing your church library is easier than you might think, and several software solutions exist for doing so (a review of a few of them is coming soon.) The process basically involves adding books to a database and adding barcodes to the books. The result is a library that has greater search capabilities, can process books more quickly, and feels more "up to date" overall. But is it worth it in your congregation? Take time to consider these questions...
- How many books do you have? If you have several hundred or several thousand books, computerizing your library can add additional search capabilities, making it more easy for individuals to find books of interest.
- Are your local public and school libraries computerized? Many children and youth have never used a card catalog or filled out a checkout card and simply don't understand that system very well; others have never used a computerized library system.
- Who will do the initial work? Plan on 3-5 minutes of time per item (or even more with some less expensive software) to enter the resource into the database and affix the barcode to the item. Congregation members or youth can easily be trained to do these tasks, and as long as there is a good team leader with moderate to strong computer skills, these team members do not need any special knowledge or abilities.
- How much usage does your library currently receive? If you are not regularly adding new books to the collection or continually promoting your library, then computerizing a bunch of old books makes little sense.
- How much money do you have for the project? A computer, bar code reader, software, labels, label covers, and a bar code printer will be necessary. It is possible to get all of this for around $700 or even less with donations, but you will more likely spend $1000 or more in your first year.
- Do you want your church library to be searchable via the Internet? Doing so will add some additional cost and complexity to the project, but will make your library available to more people. (Here's an example.)
- When is your library available, and are there security concerns? The more your library is available, the more likely it will be used. Some congregations may feel the need to purchase locks to secure the hardware.
- Does the library need to be staffed for individuals to check items out? Initially, there will be a learning curve for some church members as they get to know the new system. Also, some less robust software programs work best if there is one primary person handling the check-ins.
- Is your library in multiple locations? If you have a children's library, a youth CD library, and a general library, you'll need to decide how to handle each of these separate collections.
- What do you envision the future will bring? Many congregations have found that a small bookstore is more appropriate than a library. Others have organized book swap rooms or events. What makes sense in the long term where you are in ministry?
~ Tim Gossett
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