About The Diocesan Library

Our History

It all began on a Saturday evening following a Vigil service in December 2007.  Upstairs in the parish hall an old hutch was filled with old copies of Orthodox journals all mixed up with one another, some lying on their sides, some standing up.  That night we began to organize the journals.  Over the next few weeks, as each journal was put in order, it was moved into another room, placed in metal periodical holders (which we found at a library used book sale) and housed on shelves where other material was rearranged to make room for these journals.

In this same room our parish housed a collection of books and a few audiotapes partially organized into broad subject headings.  Now that the journals were in order, why not put some order into the books?  By assigning the proper Dewey Decimal Classification numbers to all the books, our library took shape.  As we worked our way through the books, we designated some materials "Reference" and moved them into a special section that would not circulate.  By the end of May, 2008, when the classification of materials was complete, the collection numbered about 900 volumes.

Aside from the classification of the books, no further plans for the collection existed.  However, after discovering through the classification process that we had such a fine collection of books on the Orthodox faith, we knew the collection needed to be promoted so that it would be used by parishioners.  At the same time we realized that the collection needed to be filled out with books on art, literature, philosophy, and history of countries where the Orthodox faith has played a significant role.  We began to expand out the collection primarily by acquiring books from library used book sales, and from other second hand sources.  These sources enabled us to gather together another few hundred books that gave the scope of the collection both the breadth and depth it needed without incurring a large expense.

 In our two year existence the quality of the collection has improved steadily thanks to generous donations of materials by our clergy and parishioners.  We now have a very large collection of Orthodox journals, many dating back to the first issues, an ever increasing valuable collection of books on the Orthodox faith, and a growing AV collection.   The collection now numbers over 3000 volumes. 

The collection first received broader recognition at a Eastern diocesan meeting in March, 2009, when the library was asked to mount an exhibit demonstrating our collection and services.  Many attendees became aware of the library for the first time.  Constant promotion of the library and the publication of resource guides that fulfill the needs of both established and mission churches has brought additional recognition to the library's resources.  Recognizing the quality and importance of this fast growing resource, the Eastern American Diocesan Council voted to designate All Saints of North America Orthodox Library as its official diocesan library in November 2009.

Over the last two years the library's mission has expanded.   Our five important purposes are listed below.

Purposes of the Parish Library

The library has five purposes:

1.  To support the educational needs of clergy and parishioners of the Eastern American Diocese.

2.  To support the spiritual development of clergy and parishioners of the Eastern American Diocese through a constantly expanding collection of resources.

3.  To support Orthodox parishes who wish to establish a parish library by making materials available to them and by making it possible to acquire, organize, and maintain a collection without the presence of a professional librarian.

4.  To have the collection available for on-site use to researchers, students, and Orthodox Christians inside and outside our diocese and to the local community and to those visiting our parish as guests, and pilgrims from afar.

5. To support the pastoral work of Orthodox clergy by making the library resources and services available to them through membership, resources guides, and other informational tools.
 

Where are We Going

As the Diocesan Library, we are committed to respond to the needs of the diocese through acquisition of appropriate materials and by making the resources of the collection available to all who wish to use them.  We will continue to promote the library's valuable resources through new resource guides, lists of new materials added to the collection each month, and through newsletters sent to clergy in the diocese to keep them updated on library news.

Our experience has shown how important a library is to the spiritual growth of the local community.  Recognizing this, one of our purposes is to assist parishes to set up libraries.   The library serves as a book bank of duplicate materials which can be sent free of charge to interested parishes to help establish a library or to enrich an already existing one.  For more information see the Duplicates Program page.   This web site also contains a "tool kit" of information necessary to create your own parish library.

Through our clergy lending library program, it is  possible for Orthodox clergy to borrow materials from our library and to enjoy our full reference services to answer their questions and fill their informational needs.

We are developing several author, title and subject catalogs for our book and periodical collection which will be available for anyone to search to assist in identifying materials on a needed subject.

To continue the expansion of our collection, we are soliciting gifts and donations in many forms.  This activity is extremely important since, as the diocesan library, we are filling the needs of a larger, more diverse clientele and our funding is very limited.

The library is producing items for purchase.  Four of Father John Moses' Bible Study classes are available.  For details on how to order see the Bible Studies page.  More products will  be available. Proceeds from sales goes to acquisition of new materials.

Using the Diocesan Library

The library is open before and after church services, and at all times the parish hall is in use.  The Librarian, and the library staff are available to assist patrons by appointment.  Please refer to the facilities page for more information about using the library's resources.

Parishioners of All Saints of North America Orthodox Church, where the library is located, and members of the library, can check out and take home books for one month.  Renewals of one month are permitted.  Non-parishioners and non-members are welcome to use the library, but they must use the materials on-site.  Rules for using the library are posted on the library door and the library's bulletin board.