What Are We Doing with the Church Library?

One of the issues that we've considered with the new building is what to do about the library. We are planning on a bookstore - so should we have both a bookstore and a library or abandon the library altogether? We decided to have both a bookstore and a library (they will share space in the new bookstore) but to severely reduce the amount of books in the library. Here are some thoughts/reasons:

• We want to encourage people to read, but getting people to read IS NOT OUR GOAL at Northridge. We want to get people to read the right books... the best books... the books that will help us become more like Christ.
• We are taking a "less is more" philosophy. We (pastors) hand-picked all the books that will be carried in the bookstore and we anticipate more people reading by emphasizing the bookstore.
• The location of the library wasn't very conducive to getting people to read. The library has been hard to find (especially for those newer to the church). Having the library inside the new bookstore will be a better location.
• We don't want to take away the option to check out books for those who can't afford to or don't want to buy a copy of a particular book - so we don't want to just get rid of the library completely.
• We have space problems at church. Even with all the new square footage we are adding to the church, we are only adding two classrooms. When we move into the new building, we will be using every classroom in the building. A library makes a room difficult to use as a classroom because it makes the library inaccessible during some church hours.

An extensive study that was done on our library, and here are some surprising things that we learned:

• Out of over 1000 non-fiction books - 70% haven't been checked out ONCE in the last ten years.
• And 82% haven't been checked out in the last five years.
• Fiction, by far, has been the primary use of the library. Only 20% of the fiction books haven't been checked out in the last five years.

Now what?

• We need to get all the library materials back that are currently checked out.
• We are in the process of narrowing down our library to about 25% to 33% of its present size.

So - please drop off the resources this Sunday that you have at home so we can separate them into resources that will be carried in the new library and those that will be given away.

Thanks for your interest in good books!

Comments

[Melissa VH]

What are the plans for the video collection? We have recently been enjoying the Adventures in Odyssey series and the McGee and Me now that our kids are old enough and those are hard to find elsewhere. I know space is an issue, but I have to say I would be sad to see those go!

[David Whiting]

Melissa -

If they are DVDs - we are keeping them. If they are VHS tapes - we will be giving them away (listen for the announcement in the future).

[Josh Horn]

We have a library? Of good Christian books? That I can check out? That's great.

My church growing up had a library full of old books detailing the history of the United Methodist and United evangelical denominations. That was hardly useful for really growing my faith (I can appreciate history... But really?). The room quickly became the scary place to hide during games of hide-and-seek at church lock-ins.

I love to read great non-fiction. I can't wait to take advantage of the church library and bookstore!

[Josh Horn]

I guess I should clarify. I did know we had a library, I have seen it. But it just never clicked that some of those books might be useful and might be accessible to me. My experience has taught me that libraries in churches have old books that I may not find particularly useful or interesting.

70% haven't been checked out in the last 10 years? After everything is reorganized, we'll have to remedy that!

[Mark H]

Your church is far above the international norm for reading non-fiction. Only 5% of the entire North American continent reads non fiction according to the book, The Northbound Train. The 30% who are reading are the one's who probably are growing significantly in Christ. A.W. Tozer believed that second to the Bible were biographies that was the greatest catalyst to spiritual growth. For what it's worth.

[David Whiting]

Mark -

It is 30% of the books - not 30% of the congregation. My guess is that 10% of the congregation checks out 90% of the books - so we are probably closer to the national average, but maybe not... I hope not.

David

[David Whiting]

Josh -
Great comments! Love it!!