Insights: The Faculty Journal of Austin Seminary

Pastors’ Panel personal discipleship; but its location on the edges kept it out of the presence of church life, resulting in little practical use. We have recently begun plans to return the library to the heart of activity; just off the parlor once again. It has caused us to evaluate if books are a mere backdrop for other activities or functioning tools for personal growth.

Rita Sims In my current setting, the church library does not have a prominent role. Occasionally, Sunday school teachers or Bible study leaders consult the commentaries, Bible dictionaries, concordances, or video series as they prepare their lessons.

Blair Monie Our library was named the best church library in the nation last year by the Church and Synagogue Library Association. It is large, comfortable, and well-stocked with all kinds of resources, including periodicals. Located just off our atrium gathering place, the library is a popular spot for browsing and visiting on Sunday mornings, as well as other times of the week. An interesting feature is a “vacation paperback” section that gets a lot of use, and serves to draw the saints in for more substantive theological and biblical material—from Robert Ludlum to Karl Barth, you might say!

How has that role changed during your pastoral tenure?

Rita Sims Organizational work has been done on the current church library. A number of contributions were made from the previous pastor that included some books on biblical studies as well some inspirational readings and self-help from a Christian perspective. In addition, a few other inspirational books have been added. A number of books that were not related to Christian studies were discarded. It has become more user-friendly.

Blair Monie When I first came to Preston Hollow, the library was in a small former classroom space. Since moving it to its new location near the flow of busy traffic to and from the Sanctuary, it has grown, both in use and in size. We also developed a children’s library with wall murals from The Chronicles of Narnia and other children’s stories, complete with big pillows conducive to lounging. Finally, we have computerized our catalogue, which is available online. Our long-time librarian, Shirley Rollins, and her successor, Barbara Rhodes, have been highly instrumental in these improvements.

Douglas Shaffer As I became the lead pastor of the church, my personal library expanded significantly, and the Pastor Study became a place of sermon preparation, small group 29