Church Library News

The library is here to serve the members of ARBC and to ensure that the finest materials are available. With that in mind, we have established the following Selection and Gift Policies for the library. While we will accept gifts of used materials we must ask that they follow the same guidelines as in the selection policy. If you have more than 5 items you wish to donate, please make an appointment with Edna or Starr to review the materials. We will no longer accept VHS tapes as we must make room for DVDs. Monetary gifts are always welcomed and encouraged.

Selection Policy
The Library Ministry of Arapaho Road Baptist Church of Garland, Texas affirms these guidelines to insure that the highest quality materials are available to church members and guests.

All materials are subject to approval by the library staff and church leadership with the library director carrying the major responsibility of selection.

1. The collection of materials includes printed media such as books and periodicals. It also includes audiovisual media such as audiocassettes, videocassettes, multimedia kits and electronic resources such as compact discs, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.

2. Media will be selected which relates to the interests and needs of church staff, ministry leaders, church members of all ages and guests of our church fellowship.

3. All materials will be of sound doctrine and scriptural interpretation. Materials should nurture the believer, proclaim the gospel and call us to minister and to worship the Lord.

4. Media must be in good physical condition including:

   • New or like-new condition

   • Not worn, yellowed or brittle

   • Not dirty, stained or with markings

   • No sign of mold or mildew

   • No sign of infestation (termites, roaches, etc)

   • Not odorous

   • Not broken or damaged

   • Not dangerous

5. A primary focus of the collection will support the various church programs. Valuable additions to the collection may include Bibles in a variety of translations, Bible study helps, and materials on doctrine, Biblical ethics, Christian life, spiritual development, evangelism, witnessing, prayer, stewardship, worship, church membership, church music, church administration, special ministries, missions, church history, information about Baptist and other religious persuasions, leisure materials on recreation, sports, cooking, health, travel, gardening, hobbies, and other special interests such as fiction, poetry and the arts.

6. Gifts should be in accordance with the official gift policy.

Library users are encouraged to communicate with the Library Ministry Team regarding media ministry needs to assist the team in making informed selections for the collection

Gifts to the Library Ministry
Gifts to the library are welcomed and encouraged and are subject to approval by the library team and other church leaders. All designated funds are credited through the church financial office. A gift letter is given upon acceptance of gift items.

1. The most common and preferred gifts are monies for the purchase of new media or furnishings.

2. Tributes in the form of Memorial and Honor gifts are encouraged.

3. The donor and library team considers specific needs of the library regarding the choice of gift. For convenience, gifts may be selected from a needs list.

4. Gifts of equipment and furnishings are subject to approval by the library team and church leadership.

5. Gifts of pre-owned materials must meet the same standards as purchased items. Donations, such as used books and other media, may be added to our collection, or disbursed to other ministries. Unless specified, these donations will not be returned to the donor. Conditional gifts cannot be accepted.

The collection of Arapaho Road Baptist Church is continually reviewed, and each item is evaluated as to its current value in meeting the needs of users. Space must always be available to house quality media that will benefit our church ministries, members and guests.