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Mar
1
Written by:
Different Voice
3/1/2010 7:00 AM
 The public library is one of the best resources available to a Christian educator. In fact, there are so many good reasons to use your local library that I think it's worth scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly time to work from there, as I do most weeks. (My wife, though, firmly believes our library needs to have a smaller limit on the number of items one can have checked out!) Here are some of the reasons I hang out there so frequently.
- New releases. This is the section I visit first. The religion books just happen to be the in the first shelf, so it's convenient to check for new items. But I regularly browse the other sections, too, because I often find useful books in other sections that I perhaps otherwise wouldn't discover.
- Purchase requests. Although we'd love it if you'd always buy the books we recommend, review, and link to, we know you have a book budget. Your library, though, probably allows you to submit one or more requests each month for the library to consider when it places orders. So, if you read about a new book in our email that you'd love to read but probably don't need to own, submit a purchase request. And if the library won't purchase the book, there's often the option of using an interlibrary loan system.
- People watching. When was the last time you simply paid attention to the people around you at the library? If you spend a lot of time there, you may discover that many people on the margins of society spend a lot of time in libraries. I know that in my own community, for example, a lot of homeless and unemployed persons spend their mornings and afternoons using the computers, reading magazines, learning job skills, and so on. The time I spend in the library allows me to connect with these individuals from time to time.
- Free stuff. Your library may give away books that have been removed from circulation and magazines that no longer fit on the shelves. The books may fill a hole in your personal library, and the magazines are great to have on hand for art projects, youth ministry activities, and so on.
- Public meeting rooms. Your library may have rooms available where you can hold public meetings, book discussion groups, film screenings, study sessions, and more. These can be great options for reaching out to persons in your community that would be reluctant to enter your church building.
- Magazines galore. I like to scan lots of magazines from time to time to spot trends, find out what other people are interested in, get inspiration for existing and new ministries, and learn new things. Plus, a few of the magazines I depend on don't fit into my budget, and reading them at the library means less waste as well.
- Media. I frequently checking out movies that I can use in curriculum I'm writing, nonfiction books on CD to enjoy during travels out of town, documentaries so that I can learn about social issues, and music that I know is popular among youth and college students. Libraries are increasingly offering downloadable books to read or listen to, so often I don't even have to make the trip to the library.
- Free wireless. I just wish there were more places to plug in my laptop so I could use it longer!
There's no better deal than the public library, even if you do rack up the occasional fine. What other great services does your library provide that you've found useful for your ministry? Post a comment below, please.
~ by Tim Gossett
Copyright ©2010 Different Voice
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