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Book Review: Church Library Handbook

By February 19, 2009July 16th, 2014No Comments

SUSAN BENISH and BARBARA LIVDAHL, EDS. (LINDA BECK, author of original ed.) National Church Library Association, 100 Pages, Paper, $35.00.

A manual such as this is a must for churches. Many churches don’t even have church libraries, and those that do are often handled poorly. The manual takes a person step by step in managing a church library—from planning the library; finding a suitable location; and getting financial backing, supplies, and furnishings; to processing books and materials (classifying, cataloging, accessioning, shelving, circulating, and so forth).

The book covers promotional aspects, equipment, use of the Internet, and planning ahead. Four helpful appendixes round out the tool, including glossary, available resources for librarians, subject headings, and a listing of Dewey Decimal classifications. Also, there is an index.

One weakness of the book is its lack of emphasis on selecting truly sound, Biblical materials for the sound, Biblical church. The manual is, no doubt, intended to help a wide range of denominations, so this last point is understandable. Fundamental churches should have a definite policy, though, on what they include in their libraries, especially in the day we live in. Materials need to be carefully screened and reviewed. Publishers once trusted across the board can no longer be regarded that way.

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