Is Your Church Asking 'Bookstore or Library?'

Written by Bev League

Many churches are abandoning libraries in favor of bookstores. After all, isn’t having both a library and a bookstore redundant? Both ministries provide the church with good Christian books and tapes. So why not replace the library or put the two together and perhaps even save on time and money?

A library and a bookstore are different ministries. While both the bookstore and the library have many similarities, their purposes differ in many ways. One is a free service for the patrons, and the other is a retail business, in a manner of speaking, even if it is a not-for-profit bookstore.

Yes, with a bookstore, books are still provided, along with gifts and other items. But for the people in the church who need books and materials and can’t afford to purchase them, there is a void without a library. After all, the church is here for the people. We want to serve them and provide for as many of their needs as possible. This includes the extensive study materials libraries provide for Sunday School teachers. Most teachers could not normally afford to buy several topical books or multiple commentaries.

In most libraries money is collected only for fines and to purchase resources for others to borrow. How would libraries maintain inventory control in a joint venture? How would workers know whether people were purchasing or borrowing books? How would workers talk with customers about whether they were purchasing or borrowing without risk of offending the customers. How would resources clearly be separated so that customers clearly know what can be bought and what can be borrowed?

Library and bookstore workers have enough to deal with in their own realms. Both can be, and in most cases are, all-consuming jobs, especially if only volunteers staff the ministries. But even if the positions are paid positions, the work is never really done.

What goals do church library and bookstore ministries have in common? Ministering and reaching out to people and providing resources with good moral content that does not need to be censored are some of the common goals. Both ministries support all other ministries of the church.

The Bookstore’s Mission

The bookstore ministry provides a convenience for church and community members, and at the same time helps the church financially. It provides relevant, up-to-date materials for study and self-growth. The bookstore provides church members and the community the convenience of a place to get a quick gift or card for on-the-spot ministry needs such as bereavement, sickness, counseling, encouragement, or accomplishments.

The bookstore also provides a way for church ministries to purchase in quantities to get a group discount. During special events the bookstore provides books, tapes, and CDs for participants. It also provides tapes of services to be purchased.

The bookstore works as a not-for-profit organization. Any extra money goes directly back into the bookstore to pay for operations. It could be considered just another “offering plate” for the church operation. Spending money in the bookstore helps support the church. In some churches the profits are applied directly to the books the library purchases.

Some church bookstores offer a discount on all purchases. That truly does minister to everyone!

A typical bookstore might employ one person full-time, one person part-time for peak periods, and one part-time volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator schedules the volunteer staff so that the bookstore will have a full staff on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. The coordinator also fills in when the manager is gone. Both the manager and the volunteer coordinator share the responsibilities of training volunteers.

The Library’s Mission

The library exists to provide the church members, regular visitors, and, in most cases, the community with good Christian books, audiocassettes, videos, and compact discs.  Materials are chosen to be scripturally sound, without unwholesome language, for use in Bible study, witnessing, Christian growth and ethics, ministry and leisure reading, viewing, and  listening. Many church libraries extend beyond media to provide equipment, supplies, and other services — such as laminating pictures — as well.

The main difference between a library and a bookstore is that library materials are distributed free of charge. While most church libraries are seldom in the role of selling resources, they can accept donations of money and books to be placed in memory or honor of friends and family members. And of course, purchase and preparation of materials is totally different from the processes used by the bookstore.

Libraries do charge nominal fines for overdue materials. This adds to the fund to buy new books. It also encourages patrons to return their materials on time or be prompt about renewing resources they need to keep a little longer.

Libraries involve themselves in programs of ministry. For example, many church libraries offer a summer reading club for children. Prizes for the number of books read and other incentives get the children actively involved. The goal is to bring families together and help individuals grow through reading. Libraries also strive to increase circulation with constant promotion.

A typical staff for a good-sized library might include three part-time employees totaling 35 hours a week, in addition to volunteers who work on cataloging, processing, shelving, weeding, cleaning, and other needs. The number of hours increases when with extra projects like assembling shelves, moving books, or other jobs.

Operating Budgets and Hours

The library and the bookstore should have separate budgets. The operations are too different to combine funds.

Ideally, it would be best to have the same hours of operations to eliminate confusion. However, hours should reflect church need and what works for scheduled workers. A bookstore may need to closed on one day so the manager can talk to sales representatives, process paperwork, handle returns, and perform other duties needed to maintain the bookstore.

Working Together

How can a bookstore and a library work together to benefit each other and the church and community? The two are not intended to be in competition.

• The bookstore may give the library a discount on purchases.
• The library may find it is convenient to order and obtain materials from the bookstore.
• The library can offer patrons the opportunity to preview items that they might consider purchasing from the bookstore, such as a special book or Bible for friends or relatives.
• The bookstore can encourage patrons to use the library if the book isn't available for purchase at that time. This allows time to order the item requested.

Yes, the bookstore and library are both here for the church. Each has its place and is a vital part of the entire church community.

Bev League is director, church media library, Two Rivers Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.

Adapted from "Bookstore or Library" published in the Winter 2002-03 issue of the Christian Media Journal.

 

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