Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Church librarians sharpen skills

Participants in the annual KNCSB Church Library Ministry Conference honed their skills to enhance their ministries. The event was held Sept. 28-29 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.
Fay Hudnall, who directs the KNCSB church library program, told conference participants about the “incredible opportunity” for ministry that church libraries offer. “You have God’s message on your shelves. Do you accept that challenge?”

The conference’s purpose was to “help us become more prepared for the task Jesus has for us,” she said.

Breakout sessions focused on administration, cataloging and classification and using the computer in the church library.

Bill Jones, founder of Book Systems Inc. in Huntsville, Ala., led the session on using Concourse library automation software.
“Concourse was designed for churches initially,” Jones said. However, it is now used in a variety of settings ranging from schools and law offices to prison libraries.

Book Systems’ other products include:

• WebOPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) This is a Concourse supplement that allows patrons to view a library’s collection on line.
 
• eZcat which works with the Internet to assist in cataloging materials. It searches multiple library databases simultaneously and downloads records directly into Concourse.
 
• Atriuum is a centralized library automation system.

LifeWay Christian Resources offers numerous resources for church libraries:

• The church library section on the LifeWay Web site.
 
• On-line classes including church library administration; classifying and cataloging media; developing the church library collection; and promoting the church library.
 
• Courses offered through Christian Growth Study Plan

Upcoming training events for church librarians include:

• Kingdom Builders Library Conference, April 16-18, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. (sponsored by Nashville Baptist Association).
 
• Missouri Church Library Conference, Aug. 15-16, 2008, at Blue River-Kansas City Mission Center in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
 
• KNCSB Library Ministry Conference, Sept. 26-27, 2008, at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.

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