SCLI: STRENGTHENING CHRISTIAN LIBRARIES INITIATIVE

We have changed our name:  SCLI - Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative  

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DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME    

Tax deductible donations to support our ministry at the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT)

can be sent to:

Partners Worldwide

RITT Teacher Education Fund/Library/RBouma
6139 Tahoe Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Partners Worldwide is a member in good standing with ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  Check out their website at: http://www.partnersworldwide.org/

Please make sure to indicate that your donation should be deposited into the  RITT Teacher Education Fund/Library/RBouma and then make sure to let us know that you donated so we can keep track of donations for RITT.  There are others who are also using this account for their ministry donations for RITT.

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We are in the process of putting together a network list so that we can send library articles on to our members and partners.  If you would like to be on that list please submit your name to:  scli@att.net - be sure to include not only your name but your email address if you are interested in receiving library updates/articles.

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Check out and search one of our online libraries: 

http://opac.libraryworld.com/opac/signin?libraryname=ritt 

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Ray and Barbara Bouma change in status

February 1, 2011

Dear SCLI Members:

After more than eleven years serving as volunteer missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), we have decided that the time has come to move on.   For some time we had been discussing when it would be appropriate to do so.  We believe that the time is right, so we have resigned as of January 25, but we will be continuing on our own as long as we are blessed by God with strength, energy, and health.   

It was not necessary for us to partner with CRWM in order to carry out our ministry.  We began our volunteer ministry independently more than fourteen years ago to help improve evangelical seminary and Bible college libraries in developing countries--and it does not appear that we will need to look for any new theological library development opportunities.  The need is great, and we frequently receive requests for assistance from theological colleges and seminaries that we are not able to help.  

Our plans for the future are as follows:  

• To provide much more assistance to the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT) in Eldoret, Kenya.   We are very excited about the growth and witness of RITT, and are tentatively planning to spend at least six to eight weeks there each year.  
• To continue to speak at theological conferences as requested.  At the current time, we have been asked to lead a three or four day seminar at the Theological Education in Africa (TEA) Conference in Kenya in August, and, most likely, participate in a conference for academic deans of evangelical theological colleges and seminaries in Eastern and Southern Africa in Zambia in September. 
• To provide assistance to some of the other theological colleges, seminaries and indigenous denominations requesting our help--ranging from helping them obtain free/inexpensive theological books to library development consultation, technical support, etc. 
• To continue to develop and maintain the Strengthening Christian Libraries Iniative (SCLI) network of Christian librarians who are interested in providing some volunteer assistance at the seminary and theological college libraries we are working with.   

There is a possibility that we will be associated with another Christian organization, but that needs to be investigated further—all this is happening very quickly.   We are planning to personally support our ministry out-of-pocket annually, but donations towards our work are always appreciated.  

Our new name for SCLI is now Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative (SCLI).

Thanks for your interest, prayers, and support. 

Blessings,  

Ray and Barbara Bouma

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Theological Education in Africa (TEA) conference 2011:

The conference was once again held at St. Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya.  Ray led a four day seminar entitled:  "Responding to the Information Age:  Developing a 21st century library/information centre"  Mr. Fredrick N. Wambua, B.Ed., M.L.S. who is a retired librarian from Kenyatta University assisted him. 

Session topics were:

Analyzing Your Library:  Is your library all that you want it to be?

Theological libraries in the future:  The e-book challenge.

Stretching your budgetary allocation:  Free theological, religion and general elecronic resources available on the Internet.

Ray then flew on to Lusaka, Zambia, where he addressed the Deans of theological institutions on some of the same topics.  They are beginning to realize that the Library/Information Center needs to be the heart and pulse of their institution.
Work has been done on the library at the Ministry Center in the Dominican Republic. New shelving has been put into place and we are awaiting new computers and installation.  We will continue to support this library ministry as needs arise and assistance is required.  We will be working on this project with Don/Millie Vos, Ken/Jane Loerop and Bill/Lois Venema.

We, Ray and Barbara Bouma, are no longer volunteering with CRWM.  We are going forward with this project on our own and will be using our personal funds and Partners Worldwide will be handling donations for the SCLI in East Africa project (see donation information above). 

We have renamed this program Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative.  We will consult with libraries in developing countries as we have in the past, and will continue our seminars on a regular basis.  We will work with some of the libraries we have previously worked and consulted with - RITT in Eldoret, Kenya, and the Ministry Center in the Dominican Republic.  If you have any questions, or requests, please contact us at:  scli@att.net

ASSISTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF 21ST CENTURY LIBRARY/INFORMATION CENTERS IN INTERNATIONALSEMINARIES AND BIBLE COLLEGES.

What Is This Ministry?

Many of world's Bible School/Seminary libraries are under-resourced and under-utilized. Some of the challenges that these libraries face today include the need for:
·Well-trained and sufficiently recognized librarians.
·Better integration of the library into their institution’s instructional program.
·Adequate policies and procedures to enable librarians to work more effectively.
·Connections for funding, training and ongoing learning resources.
·A new vision for the library as an information center that includes electronic information resources.
·A more accessible and standardized library through the computerization of their collection.

We, Ray and Barbara Bouma, serve as the Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative (SCLI) Project directors/library consultants. We perform initial consultations, make the assessments needed, and coordinate networking and mentoring efforts. 

When libraries request SCLI assistance, we provide the necessary guidance and expertise to help them deal with these challenges. In this “Information Age” the services provided by 21st century libraries need to be much more reliant on electronic resources. There is Internet access in almost every area of the world, which is a key factor in equalizing the educational opportunities of our global partner seminaries and Bible schools.

A long-range goal for SCLI is to help develop a global network of Christian librarians who give each other encouragement and help each other learn and grow. One aspect of this is to develop a pool of North American volunteer librarians to assist and mentor librarians in international mission libraries. Another part is to develop mentoring relationships and networking among the librarians of these institutions so that they can help one another when needed.

What Are We Currently Doing?
·Assessing the needs of libraries that have requested assistance.
·Making recommendations for future development of librarians, libraries and institutions.
·Providing consultation services or other in-depth assistance.
·Developing a network of volunteer librarians who are willing to serve short-term to help a library in specific development needs.

Since the beginning of this project, we have either consulted with, made recommendations to, or begun development projects in many places including:

·The Reformed Ministry Center, Dominican Republic - progressing
·Reformed Institute for Theological Training, Kenya - progressing

Future plans include continuing to work in developing and following up with the institutions with which we have worked in the past.  We will be returning for consultation and training twice each year to the Reformed Institute for Theological Training in Eldoret, Kenya.

How Can You Help?

·Pray for  partners in higher education, especially their libraries and librarians.
·Volunteers are needed. Both Christian professional librarians and library tech volunteers are needed to serve as short-term consultants (two to six weeks) in an international setting.

Contact Ray Bouma at scli@att.net

Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative Vision and Mission:

Vision:  To improve the quality of education at theological colleges and seminaries by providing the expertise needed to develop 21^st century library/information resource centers and services. 

Mission: Assist the leaders of our international partner institutions to develop libraries that are organized and standardized, integrated into classroom instruction, and managed by a well trained library/information specialist.

Major Program Areas where assistance is needed:
Institutional and staff development

Areas of potential assistance include:
1. Making an assessment of the institution’s library.
2. Providing basic information regarding how to develop a viable library/information resource center using up-to-date library technology and information systems.
3. Helping the administration and faculty to understand that a well organized library of sufficient size, breadth and composition is an essential component of the institution’s instructional program.
4. Providing suggestions to the faculty regarding how to incorporate the use of the library in their instruction.
5. Developing an understanding of the increasing role of information technology in libraries.
6. Providing appropriate criteria and procedures for library personnel selection, training, continuing education and evaluation.
7. Providing assistance in the hiring of librarians and/or library support staff.
8. Teaching the librarian, who oftentimes has minimal library knowledge, the basic library skills and knowledge necessary to provide adequate service.
9. Teaching students library research skills.
10. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Collection Development
Areas of potential assistance include:
1. Developing a book collection that is of sufficient quantity and quality to support the curriculum as well as the interests of the students, staff and accreditation agency.
2. Developing selection policy guidelines.
3. Suggesting reference materials that are generally understandable to students and staff who speak English as a second language.
4. Implementing a computerized cataloging/circulation system for the library holdings.
5. Establishing a non-book collection, including CD-ROMs, DVDs, video cassettes, audio cassettes, etc.
6. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Information Resources Development:
Most mission educational institutions are located in areas where the Internet is available. In many situations, the potential value of the Internet as an information resource is not fully understood by the institution. Computers are available in most institutions, but oftentimes are donated older models.

Areas of potential assistance include:
1. Acquainting the staff and students with the educational resources available on CD-ROMs.
2. Obtaining Internet access (if available) and incorporating it into the library/Information Resource Center.
3. Demonstrating the educational value of the Internet to the administration and faculty.
4. Acquainting faculty and students with the free public domain books and periodicals available on the Internet.
5. Helping faculty and students become more discerning in the use of the Internet in regard to the value and credibility of the information.
6. Teaching computer skills—especially word-processing.
7. Arranging for the necessary expertise needed to develop Internet based distance education. (Yes, many of the institutions of higher learning in the developing world are interested in this!)
8. Making arrangements for in-depth, on-site training by a professional librarian.

Strengthening Christian Libraries Initiative Prospective Volunteer Inquiries

Overview and circumstances of the SCLI libraries:
The goal of SCLI is to improve the theological libraries 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 their 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, help 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.