Hi Ann, I've just been to our Meeting House library. The first book of borrowing records started in 1972 and took until 2016 to fill up. We're now a few pages into our second book. Looking through this year's records, I could see that so far, since the beginning of this year, 10 Friends (including myself) borrowed around a dozen different books. This seems to be a fairly typical level of use, if not even higher than average. Most months, our librarian puts a 'new to the library' notice into our Local Meeting newsletter, and the library is occasionally given other plugs too (for example by myself, when I was speaking about the peace testimony at a Meeting for Learning, I was, at a suitable moment, waving about Sergei Nikitin's book on Quaker relief work in Russia 1916-1920s and pointing out that it can be borrowed from our library). I'm not sure that much can be done to further promote a Quaker library. Altogether, I find that it's still good having one, because over the years, several newcomers have read their way through quite a few books, to learn more about Quakers. And it's good to be able to point out relevant books to anyone interested in a particular topic. Talking of libraries and borrowing books, it may be about time for me to return the copy of Quaker Faith & Practice I borrowed from Streatham library in London 22 years ago. Best wishes, Klaus Huber Resident Warden, Bradford on Avon On Tue, May 16, 2023 at 11:14 AM Ann Turner < warden.scarborough@pandhquakers.org.uk> wrote:
Friends, Possibly not the most important query in the grand scheme of things, but I'm just wondering, for those meetings who have a Quaker Library, how much it is valued as a resource?
Covid seems to have had a long lasting effect (we think?) on our Library but we've also wondered if younger people are perhaps used to reading on kindles and online, and older Friends who struggle to read smaller print are perhaps discouraged, that way?
At Scarborough our Library now receives very little use despite recent acquisitions being reviewed and detailed in our monthly newsletter, and we are keen to promote our Library. How do other Meetings encourage Friends to make use of their Library?
Thank you In peace and friendship, Ann
Ann Turner
Warden, and Bookings
Scarborough Friends (Quakers) Meeting House
m: 07763 763 792
t: 01723 362 756 (mostly answerphone)
Please note I work part-time hours and will respond as soon as I can
www.pandhquakers.org.uk
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-- Klaus Huber Warden Bradford on Avon Quaker Meeting House 1 Whiteheads Lane, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JU Tel. 01225 865393 bradfordonavonquakers.weebly.com
There is a parallel group of Quaker librarians you might like to write to: quaker-meeting-librarians@googlegroups.com Nic Wright Bury St Edmunds LM
Sorry folks. I think that quaker-meeting-librarians@googlegroups.com is for people who've already joined the group. To join the group I suggest you contact library@quaker.org.uk I think there is a more direct way but for some reason Google won't give me the full email address of the "owner" even though I am a member! Nic Wright Bury St Edmunds LM On Wed, 17 May 2023 at 10:52, Nic and Sara Wright < nicandsarawright@gmail.com> wrote:
There is a parallel group of Quaker librarians you might like to write to:
quaker-meeting-librarians@googlegroups.com
Nic Wright Bury St Edmunds LM
Dear Friends, In Devizes we have a small library and I checked last week to see how many books have been taken out since the beginning of the year. The total was 6. We still only have a few of our members returning in person after the pandemic so that will affect borrowing though we do have new books being added. It's a good idea to put reviews in the newsletter : we ahven't done that for a while. Jacky Thomas Devizes
On 16/05/2023 11:03 BST Ann Turner <warden.scarborough@pandhquakers.org.uk> wrote:
Friends, Possibly not the most important query in the grand scheme of things, but I'm just wondering, for those meetings who have a Quaker Library, how much it is valued as a resource?
Covid seems to have had a long lasting effect (we think?) on our Library but we've also wondered if younger people are perhaps used to reading on kindles and online, and older Friends who struggle to read smaller print are perhaps discouraged, that way?
At Scarborough our Library now receives very little use despite recent acquisitions being reviewed and detailed in our monthly newsletter, and we are keen to promote our Library. How do other Meetings encourage Friends to make use of their Library?
Thank you In peace and friendship, Ann
Ann Turner Warden, and Bookings Scarborough Friends (Quakers) Meeting House m: 07763 763 792 t: 01723 362 756 (mostly answerphone) Please note I work part-time hours and will respond as soon as I can www.pandhquakers.org.uk
_______________________________________________ wardenship mailing list -- wardenship@lists.quaker.eu.org To unsubscribe send an email to wardenship-leave@lists.quaker.eu.org
participants (4)
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Ann Turner -
jackythomas jackythomas -
Klaus Huber -
Nic and Sara Wright