A thirst for knowledge can be expensive unless you have a suitable substitute. If you are like me, there are always books you would like to own personally, but the amount of money you have available to spend on them is limited.
Encyclopedias, dictionaries of all types, reference works, and books by the great masters would be beneficial additions to any minister's library. But on the average minister's salary, who can afford these?
Your ability to attain knowledge need not be impeded, however, by a lack of capital. There is a source where almost any published work can be obtained either free or at a very minimal charge—your public library. Actually, the local library is no longer your only source of information. That day has vanished. Today, if your hometown library does not have what you are looking for, in all probability you can secure it through interlibrary loan services. This capability links the local facility to State, religious, college, public, and institutional libraries across the country.
Perhaps you need a poem for a special subject. Granger's Index to Poetry lists poetry by title and first line, author, and subject. Using this index, you can locate the source or publisher without knowing every word of the poem.
Maybe a special quotation would bolster some truth. A variety of quotation books on practically every conceivable subject will be found in your library's reference section. Biographies? Use the Dictionary of American Biography. Art? The selections are unlimited in the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Art. Authors? Contemporary Authors, a bio-bibliographical guide to current authors and their works, will guide you to what you need. The list of study aids and helps is endless.
For example, I recently preached a two-part sermon on "The Doctrine of Man." In the first part, I wanted to deal with the subject of evolution. From the library I gleaned some humorous quotations, a poem, some information on evolution from the encyclopedia, and background material on experiments with the fruit fly, which has been used supposedly to bolster evolution.
In addition to my own research, several of the library personnel helped me locate material, which saved valuable time for me.
Even the atmosphere has changed at public libraries. The hospital "Be quiet" attitude is gone. Now most libraries are well lighted and have attractive displays of books, art works, and local exhibits. You will probably find the library buzzing with activity.
Here are some suggestions for making the most of your library resources.
1. Get to know your librarian. Ours has unusual charisma. Her interest in helping the public become aware of what the library has to offer and how to use its services is outstanding. She not only can help with the library she heads, but can point you to services available else where. A personal acquaintance with the librarian can be of great benefit to a busy minister.
2. Become acquainted with other library personnel, as well; they, too, will be able to help in countless ways.
3. Learn how to use the card catalogue. It will be divided into three classifications: title, author, and subject. It will be further divided into juvenile and adult. Most libraries classify their books by the Dewey Decimal System. For ex ample: biography, 920-929; history, 900-919, 930-999; philosophy, psychology, 100-199; religion, 200-299.
Often what is needed cannot be located in the card catalogue. By going to the appropriate section, the needed item, or a suitable substitute, may be located.
4. Learn to benefit from the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature, an index to current magazines. More than 160 magazines are indexed by this service. Almost every conceivable subject has been written about at one time or an other and is indexed in this guide.
5. Locate the reference section. Reference works of all kinds are usually placed together for easy access. Here you will find the encyclopedias, dictionaries, books of quotations, histories in encyclopedia form, et cetera.
6. Investigate auxiliary services. Books are not the only items libraries have these days. Most libraries make constant use of microfilm, photocopy machines, magazines, records, cassettes, art reproductions, films, filmstrips, and projectors. Many of these items are loaned free of charge to a cardholder. I have found these services extremely helpful.
All in all, the library can be a valuable asset to a pastor. It has been my "study away from the study." Books and services I am unable to afford have been at my finger tips. I heartily recommend its use to every pastor.
