For Librarians or Library Technicians
Location: Worldwide
Number of Positions: Various
CRCNA Ministry Involved: Christian Reformed World Missions
Time Commitment/Dates Opportunity is Available: This is very fluid and is based on the volunteer’s availability and on the specific opportunity. There is flexibility for the time of year and length of time that you can serve in one of these roles.
Purpose: To support the development of libraries in evangelical Christian educational institutions in developing countries through the Strengthening Christian Libraries Internationally (SCLI) project.
Specific Responsibilities:
Background on SCLI project
In 2007, this joint project of the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America was started to advance the educational endeavor of our international partner institutions by providing resources to their theological libraries/information centers. Our vision is that our partner educational institutions receive the assistance and support of a network of Christian professional librarians and services so that their libraries are accessible, organized, and an information-based component of their educational program. Read more about this project and connect with other librarians here.
Overview and circumstances of the SCLI libraries:
The goal of SCLI is to improve the theological libraries of CRC and RCA partner churches in developing countries. Its primary focus is to assist mission seminaries and Bible colleges develop viable 21st century library/information centers that become an integral component of their institution’s educational endeavor. In many instances this requires a major reversal of the institution’s attitude and understanding of the purpose and use of their library. Many of them only think of their library as a storeroom of books. Most of the books are dated, in very poor condition and often of little value. The “librarian” is usually a clerk with no library training who merely maintains the library and keeps order. Because of that, the library has little status in, and adds little value to, the institution.
Although the needs of the libraries vary considerably, they all need substantial assistance. Their meager collections are more often than not poorly organized, making it very difficult for users to locate needed resources. Some libraries have no classification system at all. Good donated theological books are desperately needed. Most of the seminaries and Bible colleges are very poor and do not have any funds available for the library.
In many instances the faculty members seldom, if ever, make use of the library. Even if library resources are available, the integration of classroom instruction with library resources rarely occurs. Some of the institutions recognize that they need help to raise the status and value of their library. Oftentimes, this is driven by their need or desire to receive accreditation. However, the institution’s administration frequently has no knowledge, vision, funding, or a plan needed to proceed. In order to meet accreditation standards, library/information centers must be developed at a level that approximates the level of service in other academic libraries, including the use of electronic information resources whenever possible. Most of these seminaries and Bible Colleges need the leadership of an experienced librarian to lead the institution and its library in a new direction--to the next level.
The assistance required varies considerably. To one extent or another, they all have the following needs in common, and are the areas that SCLI is focusing on:
Computerized cataloging and circulation
Electronic information library resources
Collection development
Training library assistants
Understanding the value and use of library
Library vision, policies and procedures
Donations of good theological materials
Depending on the situation, volunteer stints can be as short as two weeks to several months or longer. Ray and Barbara Bouma, SCLI project directors, will provide more information, make arrangements, and give help and guidance when necessary.
In short, it is a major undertaking to help bring these libraries into the 21st century. It requires a lot of patience, ingenuity, organizing, training, leadership skills and cultural sensitivity. The personal satisfaction of volunteering, and the gratitude of the institutions that benefit from it are priceless.
Field and North American responsibilities:
Vary by assignment
Qualifications:
• Mature Christian committed to Christ
• Compassionate and respectful of other cultures
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to view life with a sense of humor
• Professional librarian or library technician
The specific qualifications necessary for these volunteer opportunities will vary by assignment.
Expectations of the volunteer:
1) Complete and submit a volunteer application form and resume/CV;
2) Ability to pass a background check;
3) Raise prayer and financial support by inviting individuals, businesses and /or churches to give to this opportunity;
4) Attend an orientation session in the Home Office
5) Adhere to CRCNA Standards of Conduct
Budget:
Varies by assignment
Benefits:
1) Growth in your faith and relationship with God;
2) An opportunity to foster new attitudes, perceptions and relationships;
3) A chance to learn from, serve and be served by a different culture;
4) The opportunity to share your Christian faith with others who may not know the Gospel;
5) Serve as an encouragement to Christians in other parts of the world;
6) Apply your current gifts and talents and discover some new ones;
7) Develop a personal perspective on poverty, missions and/or development work;
8) Grow in your understanding of the basic principles for international missions
9) Gain personal satisfaction by seeing first-hand how your prayers and contributions to CRWM have impacted communities around the world;
10) Assist in educating and raising awareness within North America about the social/political situation in other countries.
11) Expenses directly related to this volunteer opportunity are tax-deductible.
Support Services Provided:
ServiceLink and CRWM agree to provide:
- orientation materials as well as ongoing logistics and support to meet the needs of the volunteers and local community;
- pre-trip orientation (required)
- consultation and/or visits by missionary staff when available;
- opportunity to help volunteers link their individual/church’s mission and vision to work being done;
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please contact us today at volunteer@crcna.org.
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