Branches   the e-newsletter for church librarians

  Mar/Apr 2010  ~  National Church Library Association  ~  www.churchlibraries.org 

MARCH/APRIL 2010

Are Church Volunteers Free?  from The Lutheran Witness Online

Are church volunteers "free labor"? Of course they are.

By definition, volunteers perform a task without receiving payment for it. So we think of volunteers as free labor, the opposite of staff who are paid to work.

But volunteers have needs, whether they realize it or not. These needs cost the person we're working for something, a cost that is not measured in dollars and cents. What are these needs? What do they cost? Let's see . . . Read more>>>

New Ideas in Cataloging from American Libraries Magazine

Library catalogs have evolved over time as technology has changed. The last 150 years have seen a progression from book catalogs to cards, and eventually, to online catalogs. Each of these changes has provided new capabilities that can be adopted for improved user services.

The next step in this evolution is on the horizon, and it will make possible some new and powerful capabilities for information seekers. Like the hypertextuality of the web, technology is being developed today that can help library catalogs become a rich web of data. Read more>>> 

1. Yesterday' libraries were all about books.
    Tomorrow's libraries will be all about readers.

2. Yesterday' libraries were all about getting information.
    Tomorrow's libraries will be all about creating and sharing information.

3. Yesterday' libraries were all about silent individuals.
    Tomorrow's libraries will be all about active groups.

Read more>>>

Christianity Today Announces Book Award Winners from ChristianityToday.com

Christianity Today recently announced its 2010 Book Awards. From 472 titles submitted by 72 publishers, Christianity Today's editors selected finalists in each category. Expert judges then went to work selecting the best of the bunch in Christian books published in 2009. Read more>>> 

Software User Groups Offer Valuable Help 

While software companies provide support for their products, it is invaluable to be able to talk with others about the program you are using. "We found this worked," "have you tried this?" or "I didn't know you could do that!" are conversations you can now have with fellow software users . . .  Read more>>>

10 Technology Ideas to Try from American Libraries Magazine

Librarians who are still becoming comfortable with the Web are often reticent to begin using new technologies in their day-to-day work because the learning curve often takes more time than they have at hand. Here are 10 ideas you can use to start creating, collaborating, connecting, and communicating through cutting-edge tools and techniques. Read more>>>

NCLA Board of Directors Wants You

Are you excited about church library ministry? Do you have time and a desire to become more involved and give back to your association? We invite you to serve as a member of NCLA's board of directors.

What's involved? Board members commit to a two-year term. The board meets quarterly via conference call, and communicates between meetings by email. Cross-country travel is not required.

Board members provide invaluable guidance, actively participate in supporting the organization, research new opportunities for growth and set direction for the future. We want you! For more information email NCLA Executive Director Sue Benish

What Church Librarians are Talking About

Check out these (active!) church library discussion groups to find out what your fellow church librarians are talking about:

Seen on Linc-L (Libraries in Churches Discussion List). Click here to read these discussions and more.

• Balancing Fiction and Non-Fiction in your Library
• Circulating Materials In-house
• Weeding Non-Fiction Materials

Seen on the LibraryThing Church Library Group Blog. Click here to read these discussions and more.

• Library Programs for Reading the Bible
• Putting your Catalog on the Church Website
• Stuck in a Rut! 
  

Bookmark this page for quick access to the Branches blog:

You're Invited to the Next Chapter Event!

NCLA chapters invite YOU to join them at their next meeting. Our regional chapters host educational sessions, hands-on workshops, speakers, a forum for exchanging ideas and resources and much more, at minimal cost to you. Best of all, chapter events provide fun opportunities for socializing and networking with other church librarians.

You do not need to live in the immediate vicinity of an NCLA chapter, or be an official chapter member to attend these regional events.

Click here for dates and locations of upcoming chapter events near you. Contact the event organizer listed for more details about specific events and for local travel and lodging recommendations if needed.

We look forward to meeting you at a chapter event this year!

Church Library Virtual Meeting 

Every time you add or improve a skill...you and everyone else in your life benefits. So, we hope you can join a small group of church librarians (with a pioneer spirit) getting together in cyberspace and go to a meeting without ever leaving home! On Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00 am, be one of the first NCLA members to attend a "virtual" get together. To register for this FREE event, email organizer Moe Conley.

U.S.: Falls Church VA, Lynchburg VA, Longs SC, Seneca SC, Palm Harbor FL, Louisville KY, Oak Island NC, Montgomery AL, Talladega AL, Chattanooga TN, Nashville TN, Clinton MS, Lancaster OH, LaGrange IL, Rockford IL, Lee's Summit MO, Hermantown MN, Minneapolis MN, Rochester MN, St. Paul MN, Eau Claire WI, Appleton WI, Sioux Falls SD, Salina KS, Colorado Springs CO, Yakima WA, Conroe TX, Houston TX, Phoenix AZ, Sacramento CA, Upland CA 

 CANADA: Coquitlam BC; Cambridge ON

A special invitation has been extended to NCLA church librarians to attend The Gathering, an annual event hosted by The Church Bookstore Network. This 3-day event offers classes for those working in church bookstores, gift shops, coffee bars  and church libraries. New this year are classes especially geared toward church libraries that also have bookstores. A vendor show will host suppliers of books, music, gifts and cards. The event also includes a popular author/artist autograph party. The Gathering will be held on April 21-23, 2010 at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. More information>>>

Librarians enriching librarians in ministry . . .

members helping members . . .

churches helping churches . . .