HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH LIBRARY

The library of the First United Methodist Church, Decatur, Alabama, has been in three primary locations since it was started in 1954 by the Richard Harris family in memory of Richard N. Harris.  A collection of books was placed in a small room adjacent to the pastor's old office on the first floor.  That room once housed the copy machine and office supplies!  That area is now part of the new Welcome Center.

As the collection grew the original library room soon became inadequate.  In 1989 an expanded library was included in plans for a new education wing (today’s children and youth education wing). This new location for the library was next to the new pastor’s office which was also part of the 1991 addition to First Church.   Jack Tankersley, a former member of our church, and his wife Mary gave $30,000 for a library in memory of his parents, Homer and Gladys Tankersley.  Jack Tankersley stipulated that his brother Homer and his wife Ann be consulted about details of a new room, such as decorating.  The long walnut table and books were moved from the old library, but all other furnishings were new.  Dedication of the new educational building was on Sunday, March 3, 1991.   This second location for the library is where the current bride’s room is today.

The library was relocated a third time as part of the 2008 additions and renovations to the Church.  The new location is on the second floor of the 1991 addition above the current office complex.  This location is larger, has additional shelves, and includes over 3000 volumes as well as meeting facilities and a library desk and computer.

Since it began in the fifties, the library has been maintained by various church members.  Carol Trimble was the most recent librarian.  Others who have worked in the library include: Mary Lou Rose, Evelyn Timberlake, Elizabeth Cain Prince, and Frances Nungester, Nancy Agnew Yates, Joye Bailey, Art Frith, Virginia Smith, Virginia Garrett, Rachel Pride, and Beth Norwood.  

Before the computer, preparing a book for shelving was a tedious process.  Five cards had to be typed for each book to show title, author, and subjects.  A stylus had to be heated and used to etch the numbers on the book spine.  Now a sheet of information is prepared on each book, and the information is entered into the library computer, which produces the cards and labels.  This makes the preparation of books for shelving much easier.

Books as well as videos and audios are added to the collection on a regular basis.  There is a small budget available for purchasing new material but most additions come from donations by our members.  We have some wonderful materials in our library, and we urge our members to make good use of them.