Christian Librarian's Network

Strengthening Libraries in Christian Institutions in Developing Countries

A network of volunteer Christian professional librarians is being formed to support the development of libraries in Christian educational institutions supported by, or connected to, evangelical mission organizations in developing countries. It is envisioned that the networked members will provide practical library assistance to mission colleges, seminaries and Christian schools. The primary purpose of the network is to provide “hands on” library support, assistance and expertise as requested by the institutions seeking help. The amount of time one makes available is up to the individual and can be based on a variety of factors including areas of interest, expertise and other commitments. A Network Coordinator will be responsible to organize and manage the network by matching needs with individuals who would be willing to either work directly with an institution that requests help, or provide support to others who do so.

The Library Support Network is an especially exciting development because it is a cooperative mission effort by Christian Reformed World Missions and Reformed Church of America World Missions. Other evangelical missions and support organizations have also indicated an interest in joining this endeavor. This is a great opportunity for evangelical Christians to work together to help improve the institutions throughout the world that produce the pastors, teachers, and others who have made Christ the Lord of their lives!

Library Support Network

Mission: To advance the educational endeavor of Christian institutions in developing countries by establishing viable 21st century library /information resource centers and services.

Vision: Numerous Bible Colleges, seminaries and Christian day schools have been established in developing countries. Oftentimes, due to economic priorities and other factors, these institutions have paid scant attention to developing adequate libraries and information resources needed to support their educational programs. Some of these institutions have only a minimal understanding of the value of a quality library/information center and do not know where to begin to improve it. Others need to develop a quality library/information center to get institutional accreditation. Those institutions that have an understanding of the value and need for library and information resources will be provided an opportunity to receive the assistance and support of Christian professional librarians to enable their libraries to become an accessible, organized and information based component of their educational program.

What are some of the library needs of the Mission educational institutions in developing countries?

In many situations, the institution’s library is not much more than a storeroom for a small collection of donated books. Generally, the books and other library materials are not organized at all, or an attempt has been made to organize the materials by a well meaning person with minimal library knowledge. Oftentimes, the collections are old, in poor physical condition, not very helpful to support the curriculum, and seldom used.

Institutional and staff development:

Areas of potential assistance include:

1. Making an assessment the institution’s library.
2. Providing basic information regarding how to develop a viable library/information resource center using up-to-date library technology and information systems.
3. Helping the administration and faculty to understand that a well organized library of sufficient size, breadth and composition is an essential component of the institution’s instructional program.
4. Providing suggestions to the faculty regarding how to incorporate the use of the library in their instruction.
5. Developing an understanding of the increasing role of information technology in libraries.
6. Providing appropriate criteria and procedures for library personnel selection, training, continuing education and evaluation.
7. Providing assistance in the hiring of librarians and/or library support staff.
8. Teaching the librarian (who oftentimes has minimal library knowledge) basic library skills and knowledge necessary to provide adequate services.
9. Teaching students library research skills.
10. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Collection Development:

Areas of potential assistance include:

1. Developing a book collection which is of sufficient quantity and quality to support the curriculum as well as the interests of the students, staff and accreditation agency.
2. Developing selection policy guidelines.
3. Suggesting reference materials which are generally understandable to students and staff who speak English as a second language.
4. Implementing a computerized cataloging/circulation system for the library holdings.
5. Establishing a non-book collection, including CD-ROMs, DVDs, video cassettes, audio cassettes, etc.
6. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Information Resources Development:

Most mission educational institutions are located in areas where the Internet is available. In many situations the potential value of the Internet as an information resource is not fully understood by the institution. Computers are available in most institutions, but oftentimes are donated older models.

Areas of potential assistance include:

1. Acquainting the staff and students with the educational resources available on CD-ROMs.
2. Obtaining Internet access (if available) and incorporating it into the library/Information Resource Center.
3. Demonstrating the educational value of the Internet to the administration and faculty.
4. Acquainting faculty and students with the free public domain books and periodicals available on the Internet.
5. Helping faculty and students become more discerning in the use of the Internet in regard to the value and credibility of the information.
6. Teaching computer skills—especially word processing.
7. Arranging for the necessary expertise needed to develop Internet based distance education. (Yes, many of the institutions of higher learning in the developing world are interested in this!)
8. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Who are invited to participate in the Library Support Network?

Any Christian librarian who has a heart for missions is invited to participate.

Following are a few suggestions of areas of possible involvement. There could be many more.

Retired librarians:

Retirees who are willing to share some of their knowledge, expertise and time would be most helpful. Assistance would be welcome in a variety of areas of need. Network volunteers could help out while remaining at home or by providing in-depth, on-site assistance at an institution in a developing country. Retired librarians who generally have more flexible schedules and a huge amount of accumulated knowledge and expertise can be of great help in building up libraries in developing countries. Those who are willing to do short term volunteer mission work (6 to 8 weeks) at a mission institution in a developing country are especially needed. If going on a short mission trip is not possible, there are many other ways to support the libraries. For example, some librarian retirees look for good quality library materials and arrange to send them to needy institutions. In another situation a retired librarian catalogs books at home, sends the cataloging information electronically, and arranges for the books to be sent to the institution she is assisting.

Librarians currently working:

Currently employed Christian librarians are encouraged to participate in the network. Some possible contributions include gathering books and other library materials that are no longer needed and delivering them to a central distribution center, providing advice and assistance to a Mission educational institution expressing a need for help, and becoming a partner with a Mission educational institution in a developing country.

Library Support workers, i.e., paraprofessional library workers and friends of the library support network:

Paraprofessionals and friends could provide some major support services, including approaching individuals (e.g. retiring pastors), libraries and other organizations that are willing to donate books and other library materials, and preparing them for shipping, etc.

A Personal Note:

As a retired professional librarian, I and my very supportive wife, Barbara, have been privileged to assist a number of Christian institutions in developing countries organize or improve their libraries. During the past ten years, we have worked in ten different libraries and taken eighteen short term mission trips (six weeks to five and a half months). At the current time, we are volunteering at three mission institutions each year in very different areas of the world: Pacific Islands Bible Colleges (PIBC) in Guam and Chuuk, the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT) in Kenya, and the College of Christian Theology Bangladesh (CCTB). We usually spend about two months at each of these colleges each year. We have also helped organize four Christian school libraries (Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh and Rehoboth, NM), as well as two special libraries in Bangladesh (a Christian hospital library and the CRWRC library).

We have firsthand knowledge of the great need to help Mission educational institutions in developing countries gain an understanding of the importance of having viable library/information resource centers. It is our intent to continue to make our services available as long as God blesses us with health and energy. It is our hope that other Christian librarians with a heart for missions will be willing to assist in meeting this great need.

Please contact us if you might be interested in helping out, or if you have any questions. We will arrange to meet with you to determine how we can work together to develop the network.

Ray and Barbara Bouma

Christian Library Support Network

rabobabo@sbcglobal.net

Photo Album

Kenya - Ray and Barbara with
Rev. Ariko Ekitala, RITT's Principal


















Kenya - RITT's New Library Resource Centre (LRC)
















Kenya - Students Moving Furniture into the LRC


















Kenya - Shelving Books in the LRC
















Kenya - Students had Fun Moving
the Books from the Old Library to the LRC























Kenya - One Student is Pleased to Display the Book
He has Selected
















Kenya - Second Year RITT Students with Their Lecturer


















Kenya - Moving from the Old Library to the LRC
















Kenya - Student Carrying Systematic
Theology Books to the LRC



















Kenya - Students and Staff Celebrate the Opening
of the LRC

















Kenya - Ice Cream Social with the RITT Students
















Kenya - Main Road to RITT


















Kenya - Kalenjin Woman


















Kenya - Ray and Ian Mugging for Camera
















Kenya - "The Narrow Gate" - RITT's Only
Amusement Park Ride
















Kenya - Meshach, Son of One of Our RITT Students


















Kenya - Neighbor Children Gathering Wood


















Kenya - Benard, a RITT Student, and Family at Home


















Kenya - Benard's Daughter and Friends Enjoy
Seeing Themselves
















Kenya - Zebra and Wildebeast at
Masai Mara Watering Hole


















Kenya - Lioness at Masai Mara Game Reserve


















Kenya - E. African Superb Starling
















Kenya - E. African Crested Cranes - They Walked
in Our Yard Each Day















Guam - PIBC Library


















Guam - PIBC Student Field Days
















Guam - PIBC Graduates Adorned with Gifts























Guam - PIBC 2006 Graduates
















Guam - Ray and Barbara with Stella, a PIBC Student


















Guam - PIBC Students Returning from Picnic


















Tol - Chuukese Outer Island where PIBC's
Other College is Located


















Burmese/Chin Festival, Frederick MD
L-R: Barbara, Ray, Morris Mang
















Chin Festival - L-R: Ray, Barbara and Burmese Friends
















Burmese Festival - Miss Chin 2006


















Bangladesh - CCTB New Library


















Bangladesh - CCTB New Library


















Kenyan Sunset
















Kenyan Rainbow


















Ray and Barbara

Christmas 2006 - How can it be?

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.
Excerpt from a poem by Joanna Fuchs

Check out our Photo Album Above!

How can it be? Another year is almost history! Yes, we have been blessed again this past year with good health, a wonderfully supportive family, and perhaps most importantly, being given an opportunity to serve God through our mission work. As we get older, each year becomes more precious. We sometimes wonder: “Is this too much? Should we slow down? We’re far too busy. Let’s ‘really’ retire. Maybe we shouldn’t go to developing countries where good quality medical assistance is nearly nonexistent. Time to sit back and let others take over.” However, we always come to the same conclusion—that God still has a purpose for us in our lives. We continue to have a vision to provide our services in a vitally important area in missions today—to help improve and modernize the libraries in theological colleges and other mission institutions in developing countries.

During the past year, we went on three volunteer mission trips of about seven weeks each: From January to March and September to early November we continued our work at the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT) near Eldoret, Kenya. In April and May we took our ninth trip to the Pacific Islands Bible College (PIBC) in Guam and Chuuk. We are under annual appointment by Christian Reformed World Missions as long-term volunteer consultants.

Our work at RITT is progressing nicely. When we arrived in January, thanks to the support and work of Partners Worldwide, the new Library Resource Centre (LRC) building was nearing completion. Therefore, we had to work in the cramped temporary library until it was ready, but were able to make a good start in computerizing the collection. During that time, a work group from the U.S. installed a ceiling in the LRC/administration building. The library was ready for occupancy, but a major obstacle remained. It had no shelving or furniture, and funds were not available to purchase or make them. When we left, the bare library facility could not be used, although it was dedicated in April. Hundreds of Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) people came to the dedication. To many of them, it was a symbol of hope for the resurgence of the RCEA denomination!

From September to early November, we spent another seven weeks at RITT. Some generous U.S. donors had provided money for shelving and furniture, which had been ordered and were expected shortly. Wrong. Half of the shelving arrived—but only about ten days before we were scheduled to leave. e did make good use of our time while we waited by continuing to develop the collection, establishing LRC policies and procedures and working with the faculty and students to make better use of the library. A few days before we left, we were able to move into the new library, even though we hadn’t received the rest of the shelving and most of the furniture. We are planning to return to RITT in October-November next year to continue the development of the LRC.

Developing libraries to their full potential is not an easy task. In April and May we returned to Guam/Chuuk to nurture the development of the five island libraries that are part of the Pacific Islands Bible College where Ray continues to serve as the head librarian. Ray also taught a college level introductory library course. Most of the island students have had little or no exposure to modern libraries, except at PIBC. Therefore, it was quite an eye opener to them. When we first went to PIBC in 1999, the Guam campus had five students. Now that campus has about 60 fulltime and 40 part time students. When the Chuuk campus and island teaching facilities are added in, the College (which now has full U.S. accreditation) has approximately 250 full and part time students currently enrolled! We feel blessed to be able to contribute to its development and witness, and plan to return there March-April of 2007.

We have also undertaken a substantial new mission endeavor. Under the auspices of Christian Reformed World Missions, we are providing leadership to develop a network of Christian librarians to work alongside us to strengthen libraries in mission institutions in developing countries. The formation of the support network is just in its in initial stages and is a formidable challenge and task. It is a collaborative project by CRWM and Reformed Church of America World Missions, but any Christian librarian or library supporter who has a heart to help would be most welcome. (Let us know if you would like to know more about ways you could help—you don’t have to go to a foreign country.)

In addition to all of this, our plans are set to return to Bangladesh from late January to early March to continue to provide leadership and guidance in the development of the library at the Christian College of Bangladesh (CCTB).

A few personal notes:

When Ray went to spend some time at the Chuuk library (600 miles across the Pacific from Guam), Barb decided to go down a waterslide at one of the local tourist hotels with a young Palauan friend. She underestimated the pitch of the slide, as well as the slippery mat that she was on, ascended the wall of the chute and came down with a thud. The result: a cracked rib and collapsed shoulder. It has pained her ever since, and surgery on her shoulder is still an option, but she is slowly getting better. Is she getting too old for this type of activity? What was she thinking?

We celebrated our 45^th wedding anniversary in June. Since we were camping at Holland State Park, all of our children and grandkids came for the weekend, and joined us at a restaurant for dinner in Holland. It was a special occasion for us.

A Burmese friend invited us, to attend the Chin Festival in Frederick, MD. We had a wonderful time reconnecting with some of the Burmese who had fled from Myanmar (Burma) to Guam because of persecution. We have kept in contact with (and visited with some of them at their homes) about 10 of them since they left Guam and received asylum in the US. What a blessing they have been in our lives. You may recall some of the stories several years ago about what they went through.

All of our children and their families are doing well. They, like all young families are “busy busy”, but are able to spend some quality time with us when we return from our trips. We try, as much as possible, to be home for the winter holidays and during the summer months which gives us plenty of opportunities to get together. Two of our grandkids are graduating from high school next June (Brenden and Harmony). They both plan to go off to college, so we probably will see less of them in the future.

Many times, when we write about our volunteer mission work, we feel we are merely conveying information about the projects we are involved in and our day-to-day work. However, our mission objectives go far beyond our daily work and activities. We see our work as a means to an end. Our overriding goal in our mission work is to demonstrate Christ in our lives and to help the students and others we meet along the way walk more closely with Him. It is always our desire to be God’s instruments in making a difference in the lives of those we encounter. We spend as much time as possible developing open and honest friendships and work hard to establish relationships based on trust and equality. Many times spiritual needs and concerns surface. It is at that point that we can begin to be helpful—as trusting friends who really care about the individuals, ethnic groups and institution we are serving.

Blessings to all of you during this Season in which we celebrate God’s Wondrous Love and in the upcoming New Year.

Ray and Barbara

Don't Give Up!

Please don't give up on checking our blog from time to time. We have been really busy with all kinds of activities since we arrived back home.

We plan to post another letter with pictures this coming week.

Blessings to you during this wonderful Christmas Season and remember that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".

R & B