Introduction: Before I start, I would like to invite God's presents as you set up your library. "Dear Lord, may the Holy Spirit guide and direct each who will use the sources grow in the graces of our Lord and Savior. Amen." Let me assure you, that you will set up a very good library. The following guidelines are written for those without library training. Everything will be fine.

Physical Appearance: It is important that a library is clean, tidy and inviting This will create respect If it needs paint, have someone take care of this. Make sure that shelves & books be dusted periodically Don't have books and magazines on the floor Shelf them before you leave A library with a dirt floor and bamboo shelves can be clean and attractive!

Technical Aspects: Shelf length is usually 36 inches [ = about 90cm ]; and 7 to 12 inches wide [ = 17cm to 30cm ] Space between the shelves (= height) is usually between 10 to 12 inches [ = 26cm - 31cm ] This depends upon the general size of the books Space between the rows should be no less than 32 inches [ = 80cm ] -- for handicap access There is an average space for 25 books per shelf Provide adequate lighting A lock?! I would have one, since some of us are 'already angels' and some of us are 'almost angels'. Just a thought.

The Patron: Limit your sources to the patron you are serving: church members (children, youth, adults) and / or folks from the community? You cannot provide books for every interest, therefore choose the subjects carefully; e.g, which issues are you as a church facing?! Try to address them Another example: over 10 years ago, members of the Pioneer Memorial Church notices that there is spouse abuse, problems in families on the campus of Andrews University They decided to start a library to provide sources on: family life, parenting, spiritual growth, and personal growth They even formed a special Sabbath School class to address these issues. Sometimes we had standing room only. What a wonderful blessing our leaders provided for many of us! How about a small mobile library (on wheels), which serves the neighborhood every Sabbath, every other week, or once a month?

Define the Goal of Your Collection (our goal) is to: help children / youth love Jesus parent effectively enhance the quality of family life further spiritual and personal growth

Sources: At the beginning, your library will most likely provide only books May I also direct you to a very useful collection of: commentaries, Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, over 200 Bible translations, and much more online?!!! My School Library Scroll down to < Searching Online Bible References >

Classifying the collections: Spirit of Prophecy books are the easiest to classify. E. G. White books would be W. Use the codes the Index uses! Acts of the Apostles = AA     Steps to Christ = SC Desire of Ages = DA the call numbers will look like this: W         W         W AA       SC       DA for books not listed in the Index, of special compilations like devotionals = make up you own code as time becomes available, I will add items to the links below! Classification of other subjects: Bi    for   Bibles C     for   books   about   Children D     for   Devotions and Devotionals F     for   Family Life H     for   Health M     for   Marriage N     for   Nature P     for   Parenting PG  for   Personal Growth S     for   Community Service (Outreach) SG  for   Spiritual Growth Y     for    Youth be creative as you may want to add other subjects here is the call number for another book: Teaching the Faith: an Essential Guide for Building     Faith-Shaped Kids by Donna Habenicht [ Review, 2004 ]   P     = Parenting Hab   = use the first three letters of the author's last name

Processing: Since you need to know, or have a record: of who checked out the book, you need a book card when the patron has to bring it back, you need a date due slip to place the call number on the spine of the book, you need labels

Marketing: The best time for library hours is before Sabbath School and / or right after the Chrch Service If you have a church bulletin, have a place called .Your Church Library. to promote or introduce books to the members on a regular basis. Also introduce them to the links mentioned on this manual; you may also call attention to new books that just arrived.

Conclusion: Have fun. For more information please look at my Web site: My School Library Scroll down to < Establishing a Church Library >

Where to get these resources: New and Used Book Dealers lists dealers that: the ones in blue (6) are run by Adventists those in violet (2) have used Adventist books and the rest of them are the best! I purchase most of my non-Adventist books from abebooks.com