To celebrate the reopening of the St. Mark church library, we will be hosting a reading program called "Water Your Mind" this summer from June 1 to August 15.

The rules are simple: check out any book from the St. Mark library by filling out the pocket card. Read the book, complete an entry form and return it to Julie Humphrey, and you are entered in the prize drawing.
Entry forms are available June 1 on the table by the library, and will be on the library's webpage as well.

There are three prizes of a $25 gift card to the business of your choice. For each book you read you will have another entry in the drawing.

The reading program is open to all ages! Have fun, and Water Your Mind.

Summer Reading Form

This Month’s Featured Book Review

Title: Total Money Makeover

Author: Dave Ramsey

Total Money Makeover is a book that shows people how to get out of debt. Dave Ramsey uses common sense and a Christian viewpoint to explain a good way to be debt-free. Bible verses are in every chapter, and there are forms at the back to get you started.

I would recommend this book to others because it has a good plan that helped our family become debt-free. Dave has a good Christian basis and backs up his statements with biblical quotes.

Submitted by:  Julie Humphrey

Book lists and Recommended Reading

lists forthcoming

Current Library Inventory

list forthcoming

New Additions to the Collection

Added May & June 2010:

God’s People: devotions for Christian schools by William Kramer            268.432 Kramer

Daily Walk with God: Meditations for every day by Herman Gockel         242.2 Gockel

Devotions for Dating Couples by Ben Young                                               248.84 Young

150 Psalms for Teens by Eldon Weisheit                                                      242.83 Weisheit

The History of Prayer in America by Fern Nilson                                        248.32 Nilson

Each Day with Jesus by Rudolph Norden                                                      242.2 Norden

What’s happening to Grandpa? by Maria Shriver                                         Fiction Shriver]

Library Policies

Materials Selection Policy:

St. Mark’s library will provide access to a variety of informational and recreational materials with the goal of providing information, serving the needs of the congregation, and encouraging spiritual growth of the congregation. The focus of our collection is on books and study guides, although alternate formats such as compact discs or videocassettes may be added. The study materials included in our collection are mainly those that are in agreement with our synod’s beliefs. The collection may include books on other religions to be used in an informational manner – to contrast their beliefs with those of St. Mark’s. Currently the majority of our collection is focused on the educational use of the item. Popular works and leisure items are not the main focus of the collection, but may be added if the content is of use or not readily available from the public library.

The library of St. Mark’s is funded through the annually approved budget, and from donations by congregation members. Because of this reason, we restrict from our collection controversial materials, which are readily available from local public libraries.

The Library Coordinator, in conjunction with the Pastor, is responsible for selection and cataloging of library materials. In the event of a formal complaint about an item, the ultimate decision rests with the Church Council after a full review of the item.

Most library materials are selected through various synod-approved publishing houses. The library will also respond to patron requests if it is determined that the material fits the above-mentioned criteria and would be of use to the collection. If a member wishes to donate items, please contact the Library Coordinator.

Circulation Policy:

Members of St. Mark’s, pending transfers, or persons in the Bible Information Class are permitted to borrow items from the library. To borrow an item, simply remove the card from the pocket in the book, print the member’s name, and place the card in the ‘library’ mailbox. To return an item, place the material in the returns basket, which will be emptied by the librarian weekly.

There is no limit to the number of items members can borrow at one time, but the librarian asks that members be conscientious of other members’ needs.

Materials can be checked out by a family for four weeks (Sunday to Sunday). A reminder will be placed in the member’s box if the material has not been returned at the end of that time period. If materials are not returned by the following Sunday, there is currently no charge. In the future, we may add a fine of $.25 per week, which will be charged until the item is returned or the member declares it lost.

If materials are lost or damaged beyond repair, the librarian will assess a charge to replace the item, or offer an alternate course of action. This may include an offer for the donation of a replacement item or other options.