CSLA Publications

CSLA publishes many materials to help you set up, run, and promote your congregational library. We also offer several bibliographies to help you build your library, as well as DVD/video rentals.

To order, click here to download a publications order form, print it, and follow the instructions for placing an order.

NEW!!! Free postage and handling are offered for orders of the complete set of publications.

Guides

A Policy and Procedure Manual for Church and Synagogue Libraries: A Do-It-Yourself Guide. 2nd Rev. ed. 1998. 16 p. $9.00, members $7.25. How to write a manual of basic information, rules, policies, and procedures that apply to your library so that new librarians and new committee members can quickly familiarize themselves with the management of your library. [More]

Archives In The Church or Synagogue Library. Evelyn Ling. 2nd Rev. ed. 1996. 24 p. $8.25, members $6.75. Archives is a great reference book on processing, preserving, and storing your archives and the best ways to exhibit them. It offers tips on what to include in your archives and discusses their importance to your congregation. [More]

Beyond the Book: Enhancing Your Congregational Library with Audio-Visual Resources. Rusty Tryon (orig. by Joyce Burner). 2008. $12.00, members $10.00. This publication is designed to assist congregational librarians in making audio-visual resources an integral part of their library collections. [More]

Cataloging and Classification. Susan E. Snyder. 2004. $12.00, members $10.00. Covers physical processing encouraging the use of the catalog and creating bibliographic records, classification, and classification schedules. This guide will take you through all the steps in cataloging. It covers physical processing, encouraging the use of the catalog, and creating bibliographic records, classification, and classification schedule. [More]

Developing an Effective Library: Ways to Promote Your Congregational Library. Lois H. Ward. 2004. 48 p. $11.00, members $9.00. Past CSLA President Lois Ward discusses all aspects of promoting the congregational library and publicity ideas for inside and outside your congregation. This guide covers planning and budgeting, creating ownership, programs that will get your members in the door, how to use all the publicity tools available to you, and promoting your library outside the doors of your congregation. [More]

Disaster Management in the Church and Synagogue Library. Nadia J. Martin. 2000. 14 p. $8.00, members $6.50. The information in this guide can help you prepare for natural and "unnatural" disasters. It will provide you with the tools you need to create a customized disaster plan for your church or synagogue library and help you minimize the costs and loss of value of your collection due to disaster. [More]

Fundamentals of Financing Your Congregational Library. Craig Kubic (orig. by Claudia Hannaford). 2008. $12.00, members $10.00. This guide will assist the congregational librarian in developing a realistic plan for the careful acquisition and management of the financial resources that libraries need to become a vital part of a congregation. [More]

Promotion Planning, All Year 'Round. Claudia Hannaford and Ruth S. Smith. 3rd Rev. ed. 1996. 64 p. $11.00, members $8.00. This 64-page publication provides suggestions on what to publicize for the library, including periodic and special items, to encourage participation in the use of your library. Promotion Planning includes a 12-month calendar outlining significant historic events for the congregation. It also offers a wealth of ideas for getting children involved and interested in reading. [More]

Providing Reference Service in Church and Synagogue Libraries. Jennifer Pritchett. 1987. 60 p. $9.75, members $8.00. How to build a reference collection with suggestions on what you have and what you need to fill in your library. Includes 2001 five-page addendum. [More]

Recruiting and Training Volunteers For Church and Synagogue Libraries. Lorraine E. Burson. 2nd Rev. ed. 1999. 24 p. $9.00, members $7.25. How to recruit and train volunteers, orient new workers, delegate responsibilities, and motivate and support workers. [More]

Setting Up A Library, How to Begin or Begin Again. Ruth Smith. 2nd Rev. ed. 1994. 20 p. $8.00, members $6.50. Topics include writing a policy statement, gathering committee members, staffing, action plans, budgeting, selecting and arranging materials, promotion, computer use, and planning for the future. [More]

Simple Steps to a Successful Workshop. Dorothy G. Lewis. 3rd ed. 2003. 20 p. $8.50, members $7.00. This 20-page guide covers procedures for a conference planning committee, the duties of each subcommittee, an extensive timetable, and examples of floor plans, program schedules, registration forms, budgets and more. [More]

Standards for Church and Synagogue Libraries: Guidelines for Measuring Effectiveness and Progress. 2nd Rev. ed. 1993. 20 p. $8.00, members $6.50. This guide begins with an excellent definition for the question of "why standards?" Included is a basic policy statement, physical requirements, personnel responsibilities, and a long-range planning checklist. Also included is a sample policy statement, material selection policy, and sample bylaws for a library committee. [More]

Subject Headings in the Library Catalog. Dorothy G. Lewis. 2007. 32 p. $12.00, members $10.00. This guide will help the beginning or experienced librarian identify the subject of a book and choose the most useful subject heading. [More]

Bibliographies

Basic Book List for Church Libraries. Bernard Deitrick. 6th Rev. ed. 2002. 20 p. $10.00, members $8.00. A selection of annotated books which will help you determine the right mix of books for your collection. Just a few of the topics are library resources, Bible versions, Christian education, Christian ethics, religious psychology, holidays, and children's books. Author and title index. [More]

Church and Synagogue Library Resources. Dorothy Rodda Sargent. 6th Rev. ed. 2003. $10.00, members $8.00. This invaluable guide to selecting a variety of book and non-book resources for the congregational library includes manuals, periodicals, equipment and supplies, technical aids, computer and Internet resources, promotion and publicity, church and synagogue library associations, and other helps and sources.The new bibliography also includes a directory of publishers. [More]

Classic Religious Books for Children. Carol Campbell. 2001. 48 p. $11.00, members $9.00. A graded (infant-sixth grade) and annotated subject listing with suggested Dewey Classification dealing with religion or containing religious themes. [More]

Helping Children Through Books: A Selected Book List. Patricia Pearl Dole. 4th Rev. ed. 2001. 32 p. $10.00, members $8.00. A graded (pre-school through junior high) and annotated subject listing of children’s books with suggested Dewey Classification useful in facing problems and establishing values. [More]

Promotional Kit

The CSLA Kit is a collection of guides, bibliographies, and current publications presented in a handsome bookshelf holder to place in local public libraries which promotes the services offered through CSLA. Includes the following CSLA guides:

• A Policy and Procedure Manual
• Archives in the Church or Synagogue
• Cataloging and Classification
• Fundamentals of Financing
• Promotion Planning All Year ‘Round
• Setting up a Library
• Subject Headings

The cost for the Promotional Kit is $65.00, which includes postage and handling.

DVD/Video Rentals

$8.00 each, includes postage.

Book Repair & Protection: Step-by step instructions. Brodart, 62 minutes. DVD. Accurate instructions for working at your own pace. Training tool for library staff.

Collection Care. Demco, DVD. Includes procedures for protecting and repairing books and magazines. Provide training for library staff and volunteers.

Library Inventory. Orange County VHS. Mechanics, timelines, and reasons for maintaining library inventories (30 min.).

Weeding: Cultivating your Library. Orange County VHS. Creative solutions and aids in training a capable weeding crew (17 min.).