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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