LENDING LIBRARY INITIATIVE

updated 10-02-25 REW

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Library Initiative is to provide an opportunity for all members to stay informed in the activities of the MO conference of United Methodists and to have the availability of faith oriented educational material at minimal cost.

RATIONALE

The MO Methodist magazine is available to all members for no cost, but few members take advantage of this opportunity because they are not familiar with the publication.  Likewise, few members are aware that there is a UMMen’s newsletter published quarterly called “Streams”.  This initiative encourages the placement of past copies of these publications to be placed where they are visible and accessible to members so that they become familiar.  Both publications will distribute to individuals free of charge.

There are also many used books from Sunday School classes that are kept on book shelves once the class has been completed.  Collection of these for use by others provides a beginning for a lending library of faith based materials.

PREREQUISITES

A well lighted location where members can peruse available materials is a special help to this initiative.

OPTIONS

This initiative ranges from a simple viewing location to a full scale lending library dependent on preference.  Making available copies of the “Strength for Service “ books for first responders and members of the military as a devotional reader is a suggested option.

PROGRAM

Initiate a personal subscription to MO Methodist magazine and “Streams” newsletter.  A 4-page newsletter will be delivered electronically and multiple copies may be printed.  A subscription list should be provided for people that would like their own personal copies delivered to them.  Most churches already have at least 6 copies of the MO Methodist magazine presently delivered to church members.  Some of these issues may be available after they have been read.  Members should be encouraged to take copies with them.

ECONOMICS & RISK

A one-year subscription for 10 monthly issues of the MO Methodist magazine is available for $100 if desired.  All costs of this program are optional and benefits are significant.  There is no significant risk involved.

IMPLEMENTATION

Subscribe to MO Methodist Magazine for a printed copy of the magazine monthly and check with the publisher to see who at your church receives a copy.  Ask recipients if they have any available prior issues.  Subscribe to “Streams” for an electronic version of the UMMen’s magazine monthly and print at least one copy for viewing.  Place the publications in a visible location.  You can subscribe on the contact page of the MO Men’s web site, moummen.org.

Obtain books from completed Sunday school classes as a foundation for a lending library.  Invite members to contribute excess books to the library and publicize their availability.