May 2007
The Library Committee thankfully acknowledges the service of Elizabeth Conklin, Jack Inman, and Dolores Koenig, who were on the committee last year but have now rotated off. The committee welcomed Stephanie Brandes, Carolyn Byerly, and Leslie Sussan as new members this year. Barbara James, the librarian, serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.
The BFM Library now includes 1,087 books in our general collection, 19 videos, 38 Young Reader books, and 55 catalogued children's books. It also includes audio tapes of personal spiritual journeys recounted by members of BFM. In addition, there are many uncatalogued children's books. During the year the committee acquired 115 books (mostly gifts) for our general collection, and 8 children's books.
In response to suggestions from several people, the committee has established a shelf for books by BFM authors. We invite donations from member and attender authors who believe that their books are appropriate for the meeting library and relevant to the main themes of the library's collection. Response so far has been limited, but we will continue to publicize this opportunity.
Individual committee members continue to provide assistance with the Spring Fling book sale, especially with sorting and displaying the books.
The committee continues to be concerned that the library is an underused resource, and continues to search for ways to increase its use. We have discussed the possibility of conducting a survey, increasing the hours of availability, writing short reviews, creating more links with the Literature Table, placing special stickers on books appropriate for newcomers, etc. During February, when the committee had responsibility for hospitality, we switched the locations of the literature table and the snack table in an attempt to give those at coffee hour greater access to the shelves. Recently, we have set up a small table during coffee hour which displays a few selected books with the hope they will be checked out.
At the April 2007 Meeting for Business, during a discussion of the Spiritual State of the Meeting report, it was agreed that each committee would review the document and look for ways that it could address the strengths and weaknesses noted therein. The Library Committee feels that the library provides a wonderful resource for strengthening individual spirituality, Quaker activism, and gathered meetings, and will continue to promote its use.
