Library
Would you like to check out a book? Select your preferred method below.
Please note that Reference books may not be taken from the Ark and Dove Room. Thank you!
Online
- If you have not yet signed up as a library patron, please complete a paper “Check Out Slip” located in a drawer in the far left of the library. Our librarians will register you as a patron in library system and email you a password, so the next time you can complete the next step online.
- Go to https://www.librarycat.org/lib/ArkandDovePCLibrary
- Locate the book in the online catalog and click the green “Check Out” button. Enter the password and choose your name from the Patrons list.
- You may now take the book for 30 days. You will receive an email from our system five days prior to the end of the borrowing period.
- When you are done, please put the book in the Book Return tray on the far left of the library. The librarians will check the book back into the system and return it to the shelf.
- Please contact librarian@arkanddove.org if you have any questions.
Paper & Pencil
- If the book still has a card and envelope attached, you may fill out the card and place it in the drawer labeled Completed Check Out Slips.
- If you would like to become an online patron in the future, be sure to add your email address on the line under your name and our librarians will register you into our online library system.
- If the book has no card, please fill out a blank Check Out Slip which is located in a drawer on the far left of the library.
- You may now take the book home for 30 days. If you have elected to use your email address, you will receive a reminder email from our system five days prior to the end of your borrowing period.
- When you are done, please put the book in the Book Return tray on the far left of the library. The librarians will check the book back into the system and return it to the shelf.
- Please contact librarian@arkanddove.org if you have any questions.
Library Categories
As of August 2022
Books are shelved within these categories. In the online catalog, the first tag associated with the book title also denotes its physical shelf category in the library. Other tags may be listed in order to suggest other topics the book might cover.
Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church
Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church
Reference
Reference includes any book or periodical that should not be available for check out i.e. biblical atlases, dictionaries and commentaries. They will be marked with a special sticker with a request not to remove from the Ark and Dove Library.
Bible Study
Books that are useful for personal or small group Bible study. It could be a monograph that focuses on a particular book of the Bible or it could be a book that suggests how one might read the Bible i.e. Jonathan Walton’s “Lens of Love.”
Book Club Fiction
Mostly adult fiction, these are books that the Ark and Dove Book Club members have read together or recommended.
Children's Ministry
These are books that might be helpful for leading a children’s ministry, not including curriculum. It also contains books that might be used for Children’s Sermons.
Christ & Christianity
These books mostly focus on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Christian Living
Books that focus on what it means to live and practice one’s faith. Books on contemplative spiritual practices, spiritual gifts discernment, Christian spirituality and mindful living could be shelved here.
Church History
Books that focus on developments, trends, key people in the history of the Christian church. Books that focus on Presbyterian Church are in their own category. The books in this category focus on topics such as Early Church history, the Reformation, the rise of Fundamentalism in America, mainstream Protestantism, church leader biographies, etc.
Discipleship Equipping
Books that help people lead ministries and small groups within the church, effective leadership practices, team building and financial stewardship. This category also includes books on outreach and church growth. They might mention “evangelism” but only in a helpful way.
Earth Care
Books that focus on creation care and environmental stewardship.
Grief & Caregiving
Books that help people who are grieving or caring for people who are grieving or in need of compassionate care, as well as books helpful to Stephen’s Ministers.
LGBTQ+
Books that relate to the understanding that God’s Love Embraces All. Includes topics relating to More Light Presbyterianism and GLEAM (ministry at Ark and Dove). This section includes books that help people understand issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community, as well as how to be an effective ally.
Parenting
Books that help parents and prospective parents, adoption-related topics, support for parents with children with disabilities. Not necessarily Christian but necessarily loving practices.
Prayer & Devotion
Books that are collections of prayers, share useful prayer and meditation practices or contain daily devotions (such as seasonal devotions for Lent and Advent). There will probably be overlap with Christian living. If in doubt, use multiple tags.
Presbyterian Church
Books that focus on what it means to be Presbyterian, the Book of Confessions, Book of Order, PCUSA history and theology. The “Being Reformed” series books are shelved here.
Science & Theology
Books that explore the relationship between religion and science and include discussions that interconnect the study of the natural world, history, philosophy, and theology.
Social Justice
Books that focus on creating a more loving, fair and just world for everyone; for example, books that relate to the Anti-racism ministry, community organizing, immigration, and people living in poverty. Social justice could also include books about Intersectionality. There may be overlap with the LGBT+ and Women sections. When in doubt, please use multiple tags.
Theology
Books about God, who God is, the nature of God i.e. the Trinity. Books that discuss faith or believing in God, how to relate to God, God’s grace or generosity, saving and redeeming, being loved or beloved of God should be shelved here. If the book primarily focuses on Jesus, Theology could be used as an additional tag.
Youth Ministry
These are books that might be helpful for people leading a youth ministry, not including curriculum.
Women's Studies
Books that focus on women in the Bible, the role women in the Christian church, feminism and the promotion of gender equality.
World Religions
Books that focus on other religions and beliefs i.e. Judaism, Buddhism, Native American religions, Islam. The books might be comparative (examine multiple beliefs using a common framework) or a survey of multiple religions. References to Abraham or Abrahamic beliefs in the title might include a discussion of Judaism, Christianity and Islam commonalities and conflicts.
Worship & Arts
Books that relate to worship, especially reformed worship. Music and artwork used in the worship service, dramatic storytelling, sample copies of various hymnals are just a few examples.
Ready to check out a book? See our Online Catalog.
