Dearborn First UMC Library: A Novel Ministry
Dearborn First UMC’s library, located adjacent to the sanctuary’s Welcome Center, is open to everybody and offers 3,000 books for all ages. Photo credit: Kirstin Karoub
From The Good Book to good reads, Dearborn First UMC’s library has got you covered - in hard and paperback, no less! After being out of circulation for the past nearly two years because of the pandemic, the library has initiated a return that was long overdue.
Check it out!
Dearborn First UMC’s Library Ministry has been operating for at least 40 years and boasts more than 3,000 books. The library team’s mission is “to provide books that are meaningful for people’s spiritual and secular lives. We want people to find things here that help them learn new things, do new things, and enjoy themselves,” said Diane Schuler, Library Team chairperson.
The term “church library” often conjures up images of bibles, theology reference books, and Christian magazines. But Dearborn First UMC’s library, located adjacent to the sanctuary’s Welcome Center, offers a little of that and so much more!
“When I first heard about the library, I would’ve thought it had strictly religious books - books about the Bible, theology… but when I came for the first time I said, ‘they’ve got good books - novels! - and a great section for kids!’” said Jan Houston, long-time Library Team member.
The library’s catalog contains fiction and non-fiction works, ranging from read-aloud children’s books to adult novels. Titles are both donated and purchased, but the team works hard to provide the latest best-sellers, in either case. In addition to books, a limited selection of audio books, CDs, and DVDs are available to check out, too.
Who can use the library and when?
One notable item that makes this library truly a ministry is how open and inviting it strives to be. Anybody can use the library, which is available whenever the church is open. The most reliable schedule is during Sunday morning worship (9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) and weekday office hours (Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.). The library is self-serve and operates on the honor system. People are encouraged to keep items out no longer than a month so that everybody may enjoy the selection. “There are no library police, but we will send a gentle reminder from time-to-time,” explained Diane.
Library Team often creates special groups by theme to display the variety of books available.
How to find and choose a book?!
Finding a book among 3,000 titles may seem daunting, but the Library Team has that covered, as well. DFUMC’s Library Ministry offers an online card catalog system on the website, LibraryThing. The link to the library’s book catalog can be found at www.librarything.com/profile/fumcod. Complete instructions on how to use the system can be found here to read, download and print.
For those who come in to browse, the library shelves themselves are labeled and divided into sections: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biography, Diversity, Young Adults, Junior Reading, Bible Stories - Kids, Easy Reading, and Read Aloud - Picture books. The books are all organized on the shelves alphabetically by author, except the Read Aloud books, which are stored in kid-height bins labeled by letter, in the cozy children’s reading corner. Often, the team will group books into themed displays on the “end caps” of the book shelves. Special displays may be used to promote new titles, or may represent a particular special occasion, current event, or social issue.
The Book Return Bin is the receptacle for both check-out cards, and returning books. Photo Credit: Kirstin Karoub
Checking out a book is easy if you follow these steps:
Choose a book (described above)
Inside the book cover, locate the check-out card pocket
Remove the card
Write your name and phone number on the card
Locate the Book Return Bin, a wooden closed cabinet with 2 slots, located near the entrance to the library from the sanctuary
Drop the card into the “check-out card” slot in the top left corner of the bin
Enjoy for the next month!
When you’re done with the book, please return it to the same Book Return Bin and slide it through the large slot in front.
The library is always looking for new titles to add - donations welcome!
If you find yourself with extra books, please consider donating them to the DFUMC Library Ministry!
The Library Team accepts:
Any new fiction (2010 and newer preferred)
Both large-print and regular-print books
Complete works preferred - please avoid donating abridged versions
Please leave donations in the library, on the table under the windows on the north wall.
Please label the donation box or bag with the words: Save for library, attn: Diane Schuler.
Financial donations are always accepted. Checks can be made payable to Dearborn First UMC with the words “library” written on the memo line, and sent to the church office at 22124 Garrison St, Dearborn, MI 48124.
Diane Schuler, DFUMC Library Team chairperson, looks on from her work station, having finished another full Tuesday morning of library tasks. Photo Credit: Kirstin Karoub
Volunteers are also welcome!
The Library Team meets every Tuesday after morning breakfast, typically starting about 11 a.m., and works for an average of 2 - 2.5 hours each time.
Volunteer duties include:
Covering books in plastic wraps or contact paper, depending on the book. Some are also in pre-made book covers. Good folding and taping skills come in handy!
Inventory books - take note of what books are shelved and which are checked out
Reshelving and organizing books
Everybody is welcome to volunteer on the Library Team. “It’s a good social time,” Diane added, cheerily.
For more information about the library, to donate, or to volunteer, contact Diane Schuler: library@dearbornfirstumc.org.
About the Author: Kirstin Karoub is Dearborn First UMC’s Director of Communications, a life-long United Methodist, wife of a wordsmith and chord jester, and mother of three nearly-grown daughters. Kirstin uses her corporate mind and servant heart to help ministry teams realize their vision and mission at Dearborn First UMC and beyond.
