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Balanced Libraries Can Exist
One family makes it her personal mission
to grow our public libraries.
by Carmen Rockett
All materials copyrighted
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...and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our co-worker for God and our brother proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We went him to
strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from becoming disturbed by the troubles you were going through.
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3
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“We found these books on dinosaurs. They look OK—this one has great pictures, but they all teach evolution.” I said, after greeting my
friend whom I had run into at the library.
“Do you think you’ll find anything that doesn’t teach evolution?”
“Not likely. I’ll just have to explain the truth. What are your children studying?”
“We’re doing an astronomy unit.”
“Well, you’ll run into the same problem, I’m afraid. The library just doesn’t offer books that teach scientific topics from a creationist
perspective.”
This scene is routine for Christian mothers supporting their children’s studies or teaching their children at home. We want to use the
library, but we’re disappointed by the unbalanced approach presented concerning creation and other topics my children are studying.
I’ve learned that leaving my children to browse through books unsupervised at the library isn’t an option. While searching the shelves,
I’ve noticed the increasing number of books on satanic topics, books that promote homosexuality, and books glorifying teenage rebellion.
I recently noticed the new neon sign in our hometown library that says, “For teens only, no adults allowed,” blaring a silent warning
over a small room set apart for this limited age group—just another subtle trend promoting the breakdown of strong families.
After too many years encountering these same issues, I began to dig a little deeper. Let me see, how many books does this library
have on the subject of creation? I navigated through the computerized catalog and discovered 13 books listed under creation.
OK, that’s not bad. How many cover evolution? I found 30. Why am I not surprised?
I walked along the shelves in the geology section, pulling books at random to skim the first several pages. I could not find one that
approached the topic from a creationist viewpoint—not one. In the children’s section I looked for books on dinosaurs. Again, I couldn’t
find one book that discussed creation as the possible origin of life. I searched also for biographies of godly role models for my
children. I found a few of these available at various libraries, yet each library had tens (and sometimes hundreds) of biographies on
famous, but worldly people such as sports stars, politicians and movie celebrities.
We need to do something about this. Lord, please provide a way. I couldn’t get the idea off my mind.
Libraries are for the public, and the public is mostly Christian, although it won’t stay that way for long at this rate!
After some thought, I realized we could begin making a change ourselves, however small. Because we had chosen to meet for church with a
home fellowship, our tithe had no prior claims. We had no church building to maintain and no programs to support. We supported some
missionaries personally, but that rarely claimed the entire tithe. Why not use some of our tithe to purchase books that share the Good
News for libraries? In that way, we’d be missionaries ourselves to the needy souls in our own city.
After meeting with several mothers who shared my concern, I got the go-ahead from my husband to buy a predetermined number of desirable
books. More eager than wise, I rushed to the library as soon as the books, 12 historical fiction novels by G. A. Henty, arrived. They
were promptly declined. “The library wants books that have flashy covers,” the children’s librarian informed me. “Children don’t pick
them up otherwise, and they won’t get circulated.”
“Ugh!” I felt like I’d been hit in the stomach. We had spent hundreds of dollars on these fine books! “OK, I’ve been looking around the
library, and I can’t seem to find books on scientific topics from a creationist perspective. I’d like to donate some books along those
lines.”
“It’s our goal to maintain a balanced collection.” The librarian’s voice was cold and her eyes showed no expression.
“Excellent, I agree! But right now your collection isn’t balanced. You have very few books that approach science from the creationist
viewpoint. I’d like to help you achieve that balance.”
“Do you have any sample books I can see? Each book should have a balanced approach.”
“Yes I have books you can look through, but are you telling me that each of the books on astronomy or dinosaurs already in your
collection presents both evolution and creation?”
Fumbling for an explanation, she finally responded, “You’ll need to talk with our Acquisitions Librarian and with the Director. They
decide which books we add to our collection.”
Several days later I sat in a brightly painted child-sized chair in the library. I waited while I watched the children’s Acquisitions
Librarian explain the current programs to an energetic boy and his mother. Her face displayed patience while she spoke in cheerful tones
that made her patrons feel welcome. She spotted me, held up her index finger with a smile to acknowledge my presence and asked me to give
her a few minutes.
I spent these minutes organizing my thoughts and rehearsing words I thought would be effective. Remember to thank them for all they do.
The words of one mom interjected themselves among the words I rehearsed. Be courteous.
She turned to me, folded her hands and said, “OK,” with an expectant look.
After my nervous introduction, I stated, “First I just want to say that I appreciate the helpfulness and courtesy of your staff, and I
hear good reports from other mothers as well.”
“Well, thank you!” She glowed under the praise.
“I’ve talked with another children’s librarian who referred me to you. She tells me that the library is interested in maintaining a
balanced collection of books. I like that idea, and I would like to donate some books to help you achieve that goal. I’ve been looking
through the collection and can’t find any books on scientific topics from a creationist perspective. I’m also interested in books that
promote the traditional family and speak about Christianity in a positive light. I’ve been doing some research and have discovered that
according to statistics, 77% of U.S. citizens consider themselves to be Christians, which means that 77% of the taxpayers…”
Waving her hands, she interrupted my dialogue. “You don’t have to fill me in on those statistics. I’m aware of those numbers, and I know
that a lot of Christians and homeschool families use our library. The problem I’ve had is that I haven’t been able to find good quality
books on those subjects. They’re either poorly done or workbook-type books, and those won’t work for our collection.”
“Actually, I know of quite a few excellent hard-back books with beautiful photos and illustrations on these topics, as well as videos and
CDs.”
“Really? I’m willing to consider them if you’ll make me a list of titles. Be sure and note sources for these books on your list.”
“OK! Wonderful, if you’ll give me your contact information, I’ll get a list together for you.”
Now we’re moving in the right direction!
I compiled a list of books about dinosaurs from ICR as well as entertaining books, movies and CDs about various Christian and family
themes from Christian Book (www.christianbook.com).
I e-mailed this list to my new connection at the library, and then endured a suspense-filled wait. After several days I received her
reply. “These books look great. We’ll take all of them. I need to explain, however that I can’t promise they’ll stay in the collection.
We keep them in the collection only if they circulate.”
“Yahoo!” I shouted, after I hung up the phone. “They want the books!” I shared my joy with my family, and then harnessed my excitement
to sit down and order the books on the approved list.
I realized after our discussion that getting these books into libraries didn’t meet the whole need, so I contacted Homeschool Support
Groups and other appropriate organizations to make speaking engagements. I shared my vision with these groups, explaining how they could
help, but most importantly, I stressed the importance of borrowing the new God-honoring materials that would soon be added to their
library’s collection.
Because my husband’s career takes us to new locations frequently, I’ve had the pleasure of repeating at least part of this process in
three different locations during the past several years. Our ministry remains small for now, but if the books we’re placing in the
libraries reach one person or a handful with the Good News, it’s been a worthwhile venture.
Editor's note:
Many public libraries, as well as private libraries, will take used books that are in good or like-new condition. You just need to let the
librarian know that you'd like the book to be placed in the library's collection, and not the "Friends of the Library" book drive. And
book reviewers can get more mileage out of the books they review by donating them to public libraries. As a book reviewer, I have a
stipulation that any books I review may end up in our public library, as a prize for this publication, or in my personal collection.
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About The Author:
Carmen Rockett have served the Lord with her husband, Bill, for 21 years, and has been blessed with six children.
Carmen spends her spare time as a freelance writer. Visit her at My Word Writes
*This article is NOT available for your publication.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
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