LIBRARY HOURS Wednesdays, 4:00-7:15 Sundays, 8:30-12:15 & 4:30- 5:45   Read Library News Contents Presently there are over 19,000 books, 2,068 audio tapes, 91 kits, 15 DCs and 2 DVDs in our library. How to Borrow Media Media may be loaned to all church members and individuals who complete a library membership card (available a the circulation desk). Media can be checked out for either a two-week or four-week period. Also, there is a limit to the number of items that an individual can check out. A traditional card catalog is available for all books purchased before 2000. A computer database is available for books purchased since that time. Books are arranged on the shelves using the Dewey Decimal System. Cassette tapes, video tapes, kits, CDs and DVDs are arranged in numerial order as they have been purchased. How to Return Media Media must be returned to the library. A fine of ten cents per week, with a maximun of $1.00, will be charged on each item that is overdue. Borrowers are responsible for the list price of a lost item and a fine determined by the director for severely damaged materials. April is National Library Month and no fines are charged during that month. Fine money is used to purchase stamps to send overdue notices.

 

Selection and Gift Policy

In order for the library to support the total program and mission of the church, all memorials must be of the best quality and benefit for members. All printed, audiovisual titles, and other materials are subject to approval by the media library staff and church leadership as necessary. Content of printed and audiovisual titles should be accurate in facts, scripture interpretation, and doctrine. Titles related to religious groups and their beliefs should be objective in content. Titles should be constructive in influence, morally sound and free from racial and religious prejudice, political bias, social injustice, and other evidences of unchristian attitudes and actions. Titles should be of high literary and technical quality and reflect sound educational methods. Gifts of equipment and furnishings are subject to approval by the library staff and church leadership as necessary. Gifts to the media library are encouraged, with money preferred. When money is given, the giver, with the staff, may determine specifics regarding the choice of the gift. All gifts, other than money, must meet the same standards and no provisional gifts will be accepted.

How To Give a Gift

Checks made out to First Baptist Church of Jackson may be mailed to the church to the attention of the library or to the business manager at P.O. Box 250 Jackson, MS 39205. Please include who the gift is being given for and whether the gift is a memorial or given in honor. Also include who the library should notify of the gift. We will also send an acknowledgement to the giver. Or bring your gift to the library.

The Mission of FBCJ Library

* to assist the members and leaders of our church in enhancing the quality of worship, learning, witnessing, and ministry in obedience to the Great Commission
* to provide resources and services which advance learning about God, stimulate Christian growth, enrich worship experiences, and enable the ministry of the members of our church
* to be a provider of information and services to implement the present and planned mission of our church and to share these resources with those outside the membership.

History

After attending a meeting at Ridgecrest, the idea for a library for our church was conceived by Ralph Hester and Henry Love. The first book was accessioned on February 8, 1943 (A History of the Baptist of the United States). When Myrtice Foster resigned as church librarian to enter graduate school in 1963, Mrs. Ed Lewis was given this responsibility. She served in the library until 2003. Mrs. Barbara Westerfield has been serving as church librarian since 1996. Even though the library is a memorial library, it does receive a budgeted amount to be used to process the media.

Staff

There are ten volunteers presently working in the library. But there is plenty of room for anyone looking for a place of service in the church. If volunteers become available, the library will open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Barbara Westerfield at 601-949-1914 or by e-mail.