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