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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2009
Contact:
David W. Reid
(970) 266-8388
davidreid@vitaltheology.com
or
Susan King
(970) 266-1609
stephen_king@comcast.net
NORTHERN COLORADO FAITH LIBRARY WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD, ANNOUNCES FIRST TWO CONGREGATIONAL PARTNERS
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Northern Colorado Faith Library (NCFL) announced today that it has received the 2009 Outstanding Congregational Library Award from the Church and Synagogue Library Association (CSLA).
The library, located at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, Colo., also announced the first two NCFL network partners -- Our Saviour's Lutheran (ELCA) Church and Blessed John XXIII University Parish (Roman Catholic), both based in Fort Collins. The network is intended to build links between libraries and leverage the strengths of each partner.
The library was cited for improvements in collection development, outreach and publicity, funding, staffing, facilities and library use.
"Through visionary long-range planning, focusing on service beyond their own congregation, and recognizing what is needed in infrastructure for a 21st century library, Fort Collins First United Methodist Church is supporting the development of an ecumenical faith-based library which far exceeds the scope of service normally expected from a congregation of moderate size in both membership and annual budget," wrote Pat Shufeldt, of Greenville, S.C., who submitted the nomination.
CSLA members include individuals and church and synagogue libraries from most states and a dozen other countries. Catholics, Jews, and more than 30 Protestant denominations are represented.
"Libraries of every type strive to reach out to their constituents, to provide much needed information services and to remain relevant in the 21st century," said Rochelle Logan, vice president of the Colorado Association of Libraries. "The Northern Colorado Faith Library is an excellent example of an organization that understands the need to look beyond its congregation. They have employed a church librarian who helped establish an online catalog, augment an excellent collection, provide adult and special programming and to write a blog. Equally impressive, this group is starting to explore relationships with other congregations, crossing denominational lines. I am pleased to offer my congratulations to this fine example of a special library in Colorado in their acceptance of the Outstanding Congregational Library Award."
In 2006, the library initiated a project to make its 5,000-volume catalog accessible on the Internet. In 2008, the library shifted its emphasis to focus on serving the region's faith community in cooperation with other congregations. Membership is free and open to anyone.
Edward Hopkins was hired as resource center director in 2008. He holds a masters degree from Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., in interdisciplinary studies, including philosophical and biblical hermeneutics; literature and theology; and Hebrew Bible.
Funding has come primarily from three sources: the Good Is Not Good Enough program that was founded by an anonymous member at First United Methodist Church; a grant from the church's own foundation; and designated gifts from church members.
"Faith formation is a lifelong task," said David W. Reid, co-chair of the library's oversight committee. "Having access to first-rate library resources is critical to accelerating progress in that journey. That is why we are eager to assist individuals and to form partnerships with religious and educational institutions throughout Northern Colorado."
The NCFL Web site is at www.nocofaithlibrary.org.
Photos of Northern Colorado Faith Library are available.
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