Lending library folks – a request

Hi Sara! I didn’t know you were on that loop!  I’ll start praying for your library-yet-future.  I am in the beginning stages of opening one…very, very beginning stages…lol

I didn’t know you were, either!  LOL  Thanks for the prayers.  I’ll keep yours in my prayers, as well!  Whereabouts are you?  (You can PM instead, if you’d rather.)  So far on the group I think I am the only one in MN.  And the other moms in my co-op are ecstatic that I’m even considering doing one.  I guess that means there’s a need?  😉  I really hope I can do it sooner than later – before all those other kids in my co-op grow up without a living books library!    Not that there won’t be others, but still – I know and love the kids in our co-op right now, and they deserve the best of the best.  🙂

I am just starting on the journey. I have many books to collect before being able to actually start lending and advertising about what we are doing in our community. I live in a smallish cabin in North Georgia Mountains in a small community. I so wish I could attend the conference but it is just to far for now. Robin I was looking at where you live hoping that, which is somewhat closer to me but still 4 hours, so that I could visit one day and look at your operation. I have looked at software for small lending libraries but am interested in seeing what you use. My husband is completely on board which is a true blessing. Robin, thanks so much for all your encouragement and information about this endeavor.

Blessings

Diane

I talked with my husband last night about this and he gave me an incredulous look and asked, “WHY would we EVER want to do that?”  I reminded him of all the many, many times I’ve complained that the library doesn’t have what I needed.  Oh, I’ve complained of that SO MANY times.  We almost always end up buying the books because I can’t find what I want.  A look of understanding came across his face and he said, “So we’d be doing this as a service, so other people can use the books the libraries don’t stock anymore…..okay……”  We’re still trying to figure out logistics and we’ll take it slowly, getting the books ready and cataloged and labeled and such.  We also need to build some more bookcases – anyone have plans for cheap, easy bookcases for non-handy people?????  We probably won’t open for at least another year.  But I’ll be hitting lots of book sales and working on my own collection and we’ll see where that takes us.  I’m thinking I’ll also make curriculum available (as my youngest finishes with various math, spelling and what have you) but won’t go out and purchase full curriculum if we won’t use it as a family.  Perhaps buckets of toys and learning tools as well – think Zoobs and blocks and pattern blocks and such.  So many things to think about, while still teaching school, planting the garden and organizing our new home.  Oh, and sleeping.

I am looking forward to going to GHEA convention in May to the used book sale. Normally I just look for our needs but now that has all changed. I will be looking for living books to add to the library collection.

Planning stages in south central TX, y’all. ;0)

I already loan books in our immediate co-op and small Homeschool group with books labeled and a written note on the calendar. We all meet weekly and monthly and some books already have waiting lists. 🙂

Becca<><