Library Policy

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

Church Library Selection and Donation Policy

Adopted June 8, 2010

Library materials will include books - fiction, non-fiction, references, periodicals, and audio-visual materials. DVDs and CDs are preferred over video recordings (VHS).
Library materials will relate to the interests and concerns of church staff, ministry leaders, church members of all ages, and guests from the community.
Library material should:
1. be of good literary quality and be doctrinally sound
2. support our belief in the development of the individual in the Christian lifestyle
3. be published within the last ten years, except for classics or materials that fill a special need within the collection.
Donated library material is subject to the approval of the Library Committee and/or Church Leadership. No provisional gifts will be accepted.
1. All gifts of donated material must meet the same standards as purchased items and must be in good condition.
2. Donations may be added to the collection, disbursed to mission locations or other non-profits, or discarded.
3. All monetary gifts as memorials or donations are welcome. The Library Committee will choose appropriate media with the monetary gifts, guided by the selection policy.
Our library collection 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 best serve our church community. Records of discarded material will be purged from our computer system, cards and envelopes removed, and all marking obliterated with a "DISCARD" stamp. The discarded items will be donated to other missions or nonprofits.
If a church member deems a particular library item inappropriate, they can make a written challenge to the Library Committee. The Committee will then review the challenge and a decision rendered to the individual bringing the complaint. Ministerial staff will have final authority over the decision.
The Library Committee will review this policy at least every two years or more often as needed.