Trinity UMC Library

The Library Committee of Trinity United Methodist Church has established the following guidelines for the Church Library Ministry to ensure quality materials are provided to church members.

“Our library ministry supports the mission of Trinity United Methodist Church by providing resources for the nurturing of individuals in their walk with Christ."

Trinity Library Book Reviews

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken: A World War 11 Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is the true story of Louis Zamperini. It is a best seller and many readers would describe it as a story of an Olympic athlete, or of a POW, some say it is a story of survival. All of these are true....but it is also a story of how Christ can change our lives. Check it out....you will love it!
By Sam Sears Kinard

New books for the young reader: Happy Day Books are filled with fun-to-read stories that teach Christian values. There are books for the pre-readers with familiar words and simple sentences. Level two books are for the beginning readers with longer sentences and level three is for the independent readers with greater vocabulary and paragraphs.

Lending Policies

The Library Committee has established the following lending policies:

What is the loan period?
- Two weeks
Can items be renewed?
- Yes
Are there limits to the number of items one can borrow?
- 2 books, until we build up our inventory.
When can books be checked out?
- Anytime the church is open. Self-service checkout is allowed when the library is not staffed. Always use the Check Out procedure.
Who may borrow books from the library?
- Our Church members and the community that meets in the church may check out books. Example: preschool and Spanish group
Must borrowers register?
- All non-members of the church will need to provide the following information on Library Member Cards: name, address, phone number, email address. A Trinity Library Card will be sent to the new library member.
What is the interval for overdue books?
- A month
Will there be fines for overdue books?
- No, yet borrowers are encouraged to pay replacement costs for items lost or damaged.
Check out and check in procedures:
- To check out a book or other library items, the patron writes the date and his/her name on the borrowers’ card found in the pocket. The card is placed in the attached check out holder.
- First time patrons to the library will need to fill out the Library Member Card located by the collection box. Place it in the check-out pocket.
- Return all books by placing them in the collection basket. (Please do not put the item back on the shelf

Please refer to the Library Policies, located on the bulletin board, for donation policy and our library Wish List.

Concerns or questions: contact Sandi Sears. See the sidebar at the right-side of this page for contact information.

Selection Policy

All materials are subject to approval by the Church Library Committee and a Ministerial Staff member.
The collection of materials includes books, periodicals, audiovisual material such as audio tapes, CD’s and DVDs.
Content should be in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Reflect Christian standards of conduct and not promote unchristian attitudes and actions.
- Be of high literary or technical quality.
All books and media must be in good, new or like-new condition.
Books or media should be current, as far as technology and other information is concerned.
Books and media may be removed from the library collection per the Removal Policy.
Selection will be based on the number of books or media of same title or subject.
Classics and other historical books will be separately evaluated.

Donation / Gift Policy

All donations will be evaluated using the same criteria as items the library purchases.
All donations will be evaluated by at least three members of the Library Committee.
If the donation is not accepted, the Library Committee will see that it is disposed of in an appropriate manner.
If the donation is in good condition, but not suitable for the church library, it may be donated to a shelter, a jail ministry, or other organization.
Monetary gifts may be in honor of birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or for any other recognition of individual(s).
- The donor and Library Committee may determine specific needs of the library regarding the choice of gifts. Gifts may be selected from the library’s wish list.
- All gifts of pre-owned materials to the library must meet the standards indicated in the Selection Policy.

Removal Policy

Every three years (or sooner if necessary) a total inventory of books and other material will be completed by the Library Committee.
The following criteria will be followed to determine if an item will be removed or returned:
- What is the physical condition of the material?
- How often or recently has it been read or used?
- Is it a classic that needs to be repaired and kept?
- Is the subject information, photos or illustrations out of date?
- Should it be replaced by an updated issue?
- Are there multiple copies?
- Does the material have historical significance to the congregation?

Challenged Material Policy

All challenges of literature, books, and other material in the church library must be submitted on the Library Challenge Form and submitted to the Ministerial Staff.
A Library Ministerial Staff representative and three members of the Library Committee will discuss the challenge.
The decision will be based on the library, Selection Policy, and the specifics of the challenge.
The final decision is by the Pastor who will discuss the decision with the person making the challenge. If the challenge is upheld, the item will be removed from the library collection and church.
The Library Challenge Form will include the following information:
- Title, author and publisher of the material.
- Name, address, email address and phone number of the challenger.
- Church member or not?
- Acknowledge you have read the entire book or viewed the media in question.
- Do you represent others than yourself? If so, who? What do you object to in the material?
- For what age group would you recommend this work?
- Are you aware of why this material was added to the library?
- What do you think is the theme or purpose of this material?
- What would you like the Library Committee to do with this material?
- The form must be signed, dated and an agreement to the following statement will be made: “I have read, listened to or viewed the entire material in question.”