 |
| Nixa's "See You at the Library" event |
By Deborah Spindle
In the aftermath of the "See You at the Library" event on Saturday, Aug. 5 I am deeply encouraged, and my resolve to impact change has been strengthened. Over 100 children and adults attended the event in Christian County. There are SO MANY parents in our county that are thirsting for faith-filled books in our libraries, yet are hesitant to allow their children to browse the bookshelves out of concern for their mental/emotional well-being.
The work to improve our libraries is being done--book challenges are in process, library board of trustee members have been newly appointed, and Secretary of State John Ashcroft has admonished the American Library Association. And just last weekend, the Brave Books event happened at all four of our library branches.
In order to aid parents who are rightly concerned about sexually explicit and agenda-driven books in the children and teen sections of the library, we have decided to compile an easily-searchable database of good books available in the Christian County Library, along with those books patrons would like to see there. We're reaching out to our community for help in creating a list of inspiring Christian and classic children's books, all with the aim of fostering strong values and enriching the young minds of our children.
Our goal is to advocate for the inclusion of these faith-based gems in our local public library, which we can only do if there is an active DEMAND for them, which means the books have to be checked out--and often. Christian values are not being represented in the collections because many parents have been avoiding the library. That is understandable! But by avoiding the public library, citizens are inadvertently giving the library license to cater to ideologies and agendas that do not reflect the values of the community. Taxpayers are essentially paying for the agenda-driven indoctrination of children and teens.
A database of available Christian and Classic books will make it easy for parents to locate and then place a hold without children being exposed to inappropriate materials in the library itself.
Why a Christian Children's Book List?
In a world that constantly presents confusing and chaotic messaging, it's essential to equip our children with stories that instill moral character, and provide avenues to faith and its needed expression in our public arena. A robust collection of Christian and Classic children's books in our public library will provide families with easy access to literature that supports their spiritual journey and helps children understand the importance of a strong moral foundation.
As we embark on this wonderful venture, we ask you to share your favorite Christian and Classic children's book titles. Whether you're a parent, teacher, librarian, or simply an avid reader, your contributions are invaluable in building a book database that resonates with different age groups and interests.
What to Look For:
When suggesting titles, consider books that are not only rooted in our traditional Judeo-Christian teachings but also weave captivating narratives, engaging characters, and delightful illustrations. The list should appeal to young readers while also catering to various sub-genres, such as Bible stories, parables, inspirational biographies, fiction with strong moral themes, history, and more.
Here is a video on how to search the current catalog to see if your favorite titles are available:
If a searched-for book is not present in the library, it can be entered in the database list as a Book-in-Demand. Cardholders can request up to three books a month to be added to the library's collection. Requests will be compiled in the database so we know how much demand there is for a certain title.
Join hands with us as we begin to build this custom resource for families. Share your favorite Christian children's book titles. You can leave your recommendations in the comments section below or reach out to us via email or social media. Since there will likely be many wonderful books missing from the library's collection the database will also serve as a focus for collection requests. Again, DEMAND for these books is key.
Together, we can make a difference in the literary offerings available to families in our community. By building a comprehensive list of Christian children's books, we hope to enrich young hearts with tales that resonate deeply, inspire, and, above all, celebrate the goodness found in our faith traditions. Thank you for being a part of this uplifting journey, and let's sow the seeds of faith, one book at a time!
No comments:
Post a Comment