Library Assessment

The Library at the school Drew attends has been non functional for almost two years now. After the professional librarian resigned, they had a part time temporary librarian who was promised a permanent position. But the position never materialized due to the sour budget and turn over in the administration. I tried to volunteer last year, however my offer feel on deaf ears and uncomprehending minds. Fine. I can wait. Library, after all, is what I do these days.



This year, at open house, I cornered the new elementary principal and reiterated my offer. I can't come during the week but I can restore order on the weekends if only you will find a way to let me in the building (it seems so simple to me!). OK. He will look into it. Months later, I got a quick email asking if I were still interested. I am. The arrangements are made. (We have to do 10 hours of volunteer work, and this is my preference for serving).



I walk up two flights of stairs, down a long hall and around the corner through a double door. The room is filled with Macs and old furniture. The walls are lined with shelves of books. Several tables overflow with returns. He is just looking to get the books back on the shelf so people can find things. I ask if they need to be checked back in on their circulation system. He has no idea. Then he is gone.



I survey the situation, sizing up what needs attention the most. The room itself is in need of a thorough cleaning. Gum and candy wrappers lie strewn about. The books are dusty and there is schmuck here and there. First I sort the returns, trying to figure out their shelving system. Dewey. Most college libraries are Library of Congress classification, but I can deal with Dewey. They have separated out many small collections - the series here, elementary fiction there, high school non-fiction across the room, picture books on the short shelves, first readers on the back side.



I manage to get the books all back on the shelves. Apparently there is no longer an online system for checking materials in or out. There was also no manual card system for that either. Then I vacuum and straighten the best I can. I make a long list of things that need to be done, not the least of which is cleaning! I ask for another time to be set up, and to talk with anyone who had anything to do with running the library in the past, volunteers included.



Suddenly I find myself chatting with a committee I am chairing. The list of things to do grows longer. We are underway. Not ready to open the doors yet, but taking baby steps to restoring what has been lost. It feels good - really good - to use the knowledge and training the good Lord has provided for a worthy cause. I think I am going to enjoy this!