GGLF Library - A short history
1999 The first idea for a Library, June 1999. Set
up by 2 volunteers Deb Dutschke and Alison Ahrens. Neither with library
experience, just a passion for Christian books.
2 people working together made the job easier.
Already around 400 books on shelves in the
photocopying room, which, (according to the borrowing book) 3 people had used
in the previous 5 years. Culled 100 books
printed before 1975. Theology, true life stories and bible study and resource
books we didn’t cull, because there were hardly had any, so we kept them all!
The effect of culling the books was to lift the whole look of the books—the collection straight away looked more modern and inviting. Bought & scrounged books from garage sales and book sales—mostly children’s books
Decided from the outset to put only Christian material in the library – other material readily accessible from local libraries – whereas Christian material sometimes harder to find in local libraries.
We put an article in our Golden Grove Lutheran Magazine inviting GGLF members to donate, and received at least 500 donated books over the next 12 months.
Ark built by Roderick Schild (Andrea Rathjen’s dad) to occupy the little ones, while mum & dad browse
Successfully applied for a grant of $1000 from the TTG Council. Used to buy 35 books and videos mainly with a family / parenting / social issues
We had a catering fundraiser jointly with our playgroup which raised $300 and we used that to purchase 17 children’s videos for pre-schoolers to pre-teens.
2000 We had the advantage of going to ACLA meetings and also to the National ACLA Conference in Brisbane in 2000 —before we opened. Also received lots of good advice from Ruth Zimmermann with 20 years teacher / librarian experience!
2001 It took altogether 22 months before Library opened. We were naive now about how much work there is in a library. Library opened on September 16th with approx. 700 items - books, videos, magazines, CD’s, cassettes & LP’s. Majority of the books donated and under 20 years old. Books shelved by author’s surname and colour coded to make it easy for anyone to locate books.
Our location has both good and not so good features – looks good through the glass. Attracts readers ! Not so good – away from the coffee area where people mill around. Because the worship centre is open all day, and the school and community use it – we have all of the books behind Perspex – less because we expect things to go missing, more because of the pre-schoolers often loose in the foyer unsupervised.
2002 Had a first birthday party in September
2003 purchased Mobile Library Unit to display books easily and make them more easily available for borrowing from the Fellowship Centre during “coffee time”
Generous GGLF budget allowance of $500 annually (x 3 years). To date this has been almost entirely used for the costs of purchasing the shelves, the perspex doors and a mobile unit.
2005 Because we had run out of space we culled approx 250 books– back to print date of 1985 – with exceptions at our discretion. Currently over 1400 items in the library, not including un-catalogued Bible study booklets, for use by individuals at any time
2006 Currently over 1600 items in the library, not including un-catalogued Bible study booklets, for use by individuals at any time. This collection includes 85 books which are ‘on loan’ from 4 families. Ran out of space again, so purchased 3 extra book shelves from IKEA to fill in the alcove in July 2006. Borrowings for the last 2 years have been between 500 – 600 per year.
9 volunteers open the library, cover and catalogue books and help with promotion, and are always on the lookout for book sales.. We currently have around 60 families that have used the library.
Most popular sections —Children’s videos and Christian fiction with Christian living becoming more popular. More interest in small group Bible Study material since the 40 days of purpose was run at GGLF.
We have supplemented the budget money over the years with various fundraising activities – selling newspapers, hand made cards, soup days, Koorong and Word card, which the congregation use, and we receive vouchers, Word book stall and book sales.
We have always tried to do displays and labelling etc, on the cheap – Dorothy made and covered up the kids book boxes. Shelf labelling was free from ‘That’s Not Garbage’.
For a time reviewed 2 books each week on powerpoint at church, and also in the bulletin. A few weeks ago for the first time – both books reviewed were borrowed.
Borrowing system computerised (using FILMS), books are barcoded with a bar code reader – this system would never have been affordable by us, but we have been generously tapped into the School Server, and into the School Library system of the joint campus (Wynn Vale Primary school, Golden Grove Primary School and Golden Grove Fellowship) Computer system up and running since last year – prior to that we borrowed manually
Current purchase focus in on DVDs and current material for small group study (particularly DVD based material)
ACLA National Conference visited GGLF Library in October
2007 GGLF library holdings increase from 1673 to 2001
Pastor Leon brought with him an extensive library – of which over 200 books he has ‘loaned’ to the library. These have now been incorporated into the library – and are available for loan. We have also had many other generous donations. This comprehensive ministry resource continues to build.
Due to need for space, we have added new shelving again this year. A new 2-door unit was purchased and installed adjacent to the library alcove. However even including this new shelving we have once again reached capacity.
A new ‘self-help’ borrowing system was introduced early this year. This enables anyone to be able to borrow, whether or not a volunteer has opened the library. Although it is still early days – this system seems to be increasing the number of books being borrowed.
After a break of over a year - books and videos will once again be available for families attending Playgroup on Tuesdays and Coffee Club on Wednesdays and Fridays. A selection of books and videos are now housed in the ‘card cabinet’ in the fellowship centre – and will be refreshed each term from the main library. We are thankful for the school counsellors - Anna Watson and James Ziersch – who make this outreach possible, by both being keen to promote these resources. As parenting books in particular, are requested by school families, we pray that this outreach will be a valuable benefit to school families.
After many attempts to find a practical and easy way to have books on display for the church services – this year we were blessed to come across a display cupboard which is ‘just right’. It enables displays to be easily created and changed. It will also be used to display new books, books that Pastor has recommended and much more.
The Newspaper Drive has again been a successful fundraiser, raising funds over the past 12 months. Thanks to all those who continue to support us in this way.
2008 Number of books continues to grow but the number of borrowers has decreased this year, particularly the younger borrowers. Borrowers outside the GGL community are also using the library.
The self-borrowing system has meant that the library can be open without volunteers, but processing all new and donated resources before they can go into the library is time consuming and, at present, months behind. There is also a myriad of other tasks, which could be done to enhance the library’s usage (e.g. displays, reviews etc etc). If there is anybody keen to get involved in the library, we’d love to hear from you!
To be able to shelve the expanding library resources, and we are looking at purchasing extra ‘free standing’ shelving.
IT issues have inconvenienced the administration of the library for quite a number of years now. Whilst currently the situation has been resolved, possible alternative systems will be researched to try and achieve the situation where the computer records are accessible at times when volunteer time is available.
The Newspaper Drive has again been a successful fundraiser, raising funds over the past 12 months. Thanks to all those who continue to support us in this way.
In late 2008, a small range of Australian Christian books were offered for sale as a service to the church and school. Over $1300 worth of books were sold, with the profits purchasing a children’s “Lost sheep” DVD pack.
The Australian Church Library Association (ACLA) Bi-ennial conference held in Adelaide in September 2008. Encouragement and equipping for the volunteers.
2009 culled 131 books – sent to PNG for Asaroka Primary and High schools. Donated free standing shelving used for the picture books and primary fiction.
2011 Received a Parenting SA Grant and used it to purchase parenting and children’s resources for ‘Mainly Music group’
2012 Culled 90 Christian Fiction books which were donated to Salisbury Lutheran Library. Mainly Music group enjoys and used parenting and children’s books on a spinner in the Fellowship Centre. New cataloguing software donated ‘Rescourcemate’. Collection currently being manually entered onto this software.
2013 Purchased children’s book display boxes, spinners and Raco shelving at auction. Re-vamped the children’s, primary and young adult sections. Cataloguing onto ‘Resourcemate’ continues. Website published in May – with the aim of having a catalogue on the website.
The effect of culling the books was to lift the whole look of the books—the collection straight away looked more modern and inviting. Bought & scrounged books from garage sales and book sales—mostly children’s books
Decided from the outset to put only Christian material in the library – other material readily accessible from local libraries – whereas Christian material sometimes harder to find in local libraries.
We put an article in our Golden Grove Lutheran Magazine inviting GGLF members to donate, and received at least 500 donated books over the next 12 months.
Ark built by Roderick Schild (Andrea Rathjen’s dad) to occupy the little ones, while mum & dad browse
Successfully applied for a grant of $1000 from the TTG Council. Used to buy 35 books and videos mainly with a family / parenting / social issues
We had a catering fundraiser jointly with our playgroup which raised $300 and we used that to purchase 17 children’s videos for pre-schoolers to pre-teens.
2000 We had the advantage of going to ACLA meetings and also to the National ACLA Conference in Brisbane in 2000 —before we opened. Also received lots of good advice from Ruth Zimmermann with 20 years teacher / librarian experience!
2001 It took altogether 22 months before Library opened. We were naive now about how much work there is in a library. Library opened on September 16th with approx. 700 items - books, videos, magazines, CD’s, cassettes & LP’s. Majority of the books donated and under 20 years old. Books shelved by author’s surname and colour coded to make it easy for anyone to locate books.
Our location has both good and not so good features – looks good through the glass. Attracts readers ! Not so good – away from the coffee area where people mill around. Because the worship centre is open all day, and the school and community use it – we have all of the books behind Perspex – less because we expect things to go missing, more because of the pre-schoolers often loose in the foyer unsupervised.
2002 Had a first birthday party in September
2003 purchased Mobile Library Unit to display books easily and make them more easily available for borrowing from the Fellowship Centre during “coffee time”
Generous GGLF budget allowance of $500 annually (x 3 years). To date this has been almost entirely used for the costs of purchasing the shelves, the perspex doors and a mobile unit.
2005 Because we had run out of space we culled approx 250 books– back to print date of 1985 – with exceptions at our discretion. Currently over 1400 items in the library, not including un-catalogued Bible study booklets, for use by individuals at any time
2006 Currently over 1600 items in the library, not including un-catalogued Bible study booklets, for use by individuals at any time. This collection includes 85 books which are ‘on loan’ from 4 families. Ran out of space again, so purchased 3 extra book shelves from IKEA to fill in the alcove in July 2006. Borrowings for the last 2 years have been between 500 – 600 per year.
9 volunteers open the library, cover and catalogue books and help with promotion, and are always on the lookout for book sales.. We currently have around 60 families that have used the library.
Most popular sections —Children’s videos and Christian fiction with Christian living becoming more popular. More interest in small group Bible Study material since the 40 days of purpose was run at GGLF.
We have supplemented the budget money over the years with various fundraising activities – selling newspapers, hand made cards, soup days, Koorong and Word card, which the congregation use, and we receive vouchers, Word book stall and book sales.
We have always tried to do displays and labelling etc, on the cheap – Dorothy made and covered up the kids book boxes. Shelf labelling was free from ‘That’s Not Garbage’.
For a time reviewed 2 books each week on powerpoint at church, and also in the bulletin. A few weeks ago for the first time – both books reviewed were borrowed.
Borrowing system computerised (using FILMS), books are barcoded with a bar code reader – this system would never have been affordable by us, but we have been generously tapped into the School Server, and into the School Library system of the joint campus (Wynn Vale Primary school, Golden Grove Primary School and Golden Grove Fellowship) Computer system up and running since last year – prior to that we borrowed manually
Current purchase focus in on DVDs and current material for small group study (particularly DVD based material)
ACLA National Conference visited GGLF Library in October
2007 GGLF library holdings increase from 1673 to 2001
Pastor Leon brought with him an extensive library – of which over 200 books he has ‘loaned’ to the library. These have now been incorporated into the library – and are available for loan. We have also had many other generous donations. This comprehensive ministry resource continues to build.
Due to need for space, we have added new shelving again this year. A new 2-door unit was purchased and installed adjacent to the library alcove. However even including this new shelving we have once again reached capacity.
A new ‘self-help’ borrowing system was introduced early this year. This enables anyone to be able to borrow, whether or not a volunteer has opened the library. Although it is still early days – this system seems to be increasing the number of books being borrowed.
After a break of over a year - books and videos will once again be available for families attending Playgroup on Tuesdays and Coffee Club on Wednesdays and Fridays. A selection of books and videos are now housed in the ‘card cabinet’ in the fellowship centre – and will be refreshed each term from the main library. We are thankful for the school counsellors - Anna Watson and James Ziersch – who make this outreach possible, by both being keen to promote these resources. As parenting books in particular, are requested by school families, we pray that this outreach will be a valuable benefit to school families.
After many attempts to find a practical and easy way to have books on display for the church services – this year we were blessed to come across a display cupboard which is ‘just right’. It enables displays to be easily created and changed. It will also be used to display new books, books that Pastor has recommended and much more.
The Newspaper Drive has again been a successful fundraiser, raising funds over the past 12 months. Thanks to all those who continue to support us in this way.
2008 Number of books continues to grow but the number of borrowers has decreased this year, particularly the younger borrowers. Borrowers outside the GGL community are also using the library.
The self-borrowing system has meant that the library can be open without volunteers, but processing all new and donated resources before they can go into the library is time consuming and, at present, months behind. There is also a myriad of other tasks, which could be done to enhance the library’s usage (e.g. displays, reviews etc etc). If there is anybody keen to get involved in the library, we’d love to hear from you!
To be able to shelve the expanding library resources, and we are looking at purchasing extra ‘free standing’ shelving.
IT issues have inconvenienced the administration of the library for quite a number of years now. Whilst currently the situation has been resolved, possible alternative systems will be researched to try and achieve the situation where the computer records are accessible at times when volunteer time is available.
The Newspaper Drive has again been a successful fundraiser, raising funds over the past 12 months. Thanks to all those who continue to support us in this way.
In late 2008, a small range of Australian Christian books were offered for sale as a service to the church and school. Over $1300 worth of books were sold, with the profits purchasing a children’s “Lost sheep” DVD pack.
The Australian Church Library Association (ACLA) Bi-ennial conference held in Adelaide in September 2008. Encouragement and equipping for the volunteers.
2009 culled 131 books – sent to PNG for Asaroka Primary and High schools. Donated free standing shelving used for the picture books and primary fiction.
2011 Received a Parenting SA Grant and used it to purchase parenting and children’s resources for ‘Mainly Music group’
2012 Culled 90 Christian Fiction books which were donated to Salisbury Lutheran Library. Mainly Music group enjoys and used parenting and children’s books on a spinner in the Fellowship Centre. New cataloguing software donated ‘Rescourcemate’. Collection currently being manually entered onto this software.
2013 Purchased children’s book display boxes, spinners and Raco shelving at auction. Re-vamped the children’s, primary and young adult sections. Cataloguing onto ‘Resourcemate’ continues. Website published in May – with the aim of having a catalogue on the website.