Anson Library

COLLECTION

The library includes picture books (E), fiction for adults (Fic) and children/youth (J Fic), nonfiction for adults (Dewey call #) and children/youth (J Dewey call #), Bibles (Bib), and reference materials (Ref), as well as a small collection of AV materials (Audio, Video, J Audio, and J Video). The card catalog is out of date except for the Collection file in the first drawer and the shelf list in the last few drawers. The librarians do not add author, title, or subject cards to the catalog due to time and cost of supplies. Instead, they have removed cards for materials no longer owned.

There are six color-coded subject collections that are shelved normally but also have colored dots on or near the spines. These include Christmas (red), Comfort Zone (blue), Easter (gold), Peace & Justice Ministry (purple), Shohfi (green), and Youth (neon green). There are cards for these collections in the first drawer of the card catalog in alphabetical order by Collection.

ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY (see also Finding Materials below)

There are no regular open hours for the library. One or both of the librarians work regularly on Wednesday mornings. For access during the week (except when the library is used as a meeting space), ask in the Church Office for the room to be unlocked for you. On Sunday, see if one of us is available to help you, or get someone to unlock the library for you. Many members of the congregation have keys that open rooms on the campus. Turn off the light and lock up when you leave.

FINDING MATERIALS

All items have a call number on the spine. The arrangement goes from the NE corner with picture books (E) and reads left to right around the room. When you find something of interest, fill out the card in the inside pocket, leave it in the box on the card catalog to the right of the door as you exit, and bring the materials back so others may use them. If there is no card, then the book is for Library Use Only. When you return items, leave them on top of the card catalog. We will reshelve them. Many thanks to those who both check out and return items.

GETTING HELP

It’s a small space, so it is easy to browse the room, but if you are interested in something specific, ask one of the librarians to assist. Leave a message in the Library mailbox in the church office or call the office to leave a message for us. Also, we are in the church directory for you to send a message or call us. If a book or author mentioned during the Sunday services interests you, know that many are on the Library’s shelves.

The current librarians are Jean Crampon, University Librarian Emerita (sciences and engineering) from the University of Southern California and Nina Jackson, retired Teacher- Librarian from Franklin Classical Middle School in the Long Beach Unified School District.

DONATIONS

We are happy to accept donations, but please contact us first. The librarians review for duplicates, for items more appropriate in a collection elsewhere, and to welcome items that complement what we already have. When we have questions about religious items, we check with a pastor. After review, you can leave materials. Please make sure that you leave us a note with the donor name and the “in memory of/in honor of” information, if applicable.

HISTORY OF THE ANSON LIBRARY

Marjorie and Elbert Anson were volunteers in the Lakewood First Presbyterian Church Library for over twenty years and were the first to make a concentrated effort to get the library well organized. When they retired, the library was named in their honor. Since that time there has been a series of volunteer librarians.

Keep reading! Your librarians, Jean Crampon and Nina Jackson