A Little Reminder

If you use the drop slot to return library books and tapes, please use a sticky-note with your name attached to the materials. OFL still operates on a manual check-out/check-in system, so we don’t know who is returning materials until we check the library cards—one card at a time! Your sticky-note really speeds the process. It’s not that the desk volunteer on duty will necessarily collapse from joy or find herself dancing around the library with sticky-notes attached to her forehead . . . but it certainly will make her day! God bless you for this small act of kindness!

Rental Policy Change

 This is huge! Our Father’s Library now allows you to rent DVDs and videos for one week!!!  The rental fee is the same: $1 for each yellow item; $2 for each purple item. For churches renting a video series, the rental fee is $2 per week (i.e., a 6-video set that is to be viewed over 6 weeks will rent for $12). You’ll also notice that our DVD collection is growing—be sure to see our latest additions for yourself!

 Suggestion Box

 Our Father’s Library now has a suggestion box for our patrons. Help us to help you—on your next visit, take a few moments to let us know what we’re doing right, what you’d like to see us change, or anything else on your mind. Are there books, films, tapes, or other resources that you’d like us to carry? Do you have a tip that might help us to be more efficient in our procedures? We appreciate your input and we promise that we will read and pray over every suggestion.

 We’re sorry, but . . .

 Nobody likes to receive an overdue notice. And we certainly don’t like sending them out. But we also realize that we are stewards of the library and its inventory. That means we must exercise inventory control and “nudge” people to return overdue materials. We know that most of you don’t mean to be irresponsible—you are busy, your kids have to be in three places at once, and little Cedric is adamant that the neighbor’s airedale ripped the Odyssey tape right out of his grubby hands and buried it next door . . . well, really, we understand. Still, we’d like you to know that when we send out that overdue notice, we are only charging you the postage that we spend on the notice itself—not a daily fee, as is common with other libraries. That means we are using OFL funds to pay for postage, funds that otherwise could be used to purchase more materials, or help pay the rent or the utilities. With a small ministry like ours, every penny counts. Won’t you help us use OFL’s funds wisely?

As we approach the end of 2005, Our Father’s Library would like to thank our volunteers for their faithful service and many talents. In so many ways, you are OFL’s hands and feet—we could not operate the library without you.

 We also want to thank our patrons, many of whom come from miles away to use the library facilities. When you check out a book, tape, or other OFL resource, you are taking wholesome, Christ-centered materials into your home. You demonstrate to your children that you care about what they read or view or listen to. And you set an example, showing them the standards by which your family lives and functions in the community.

 To our donors, we thank you not only for your vital financial support, but for your prayers and encouragement. We know that these are hard times and we appreciate your sacrifice to keep this ministry a ministry of salt and light. May God bless you as you bless us.

· To Pete Jones, our mail carrier, who quietly pays the postage on all returned mail and newsletters.

· To Brenda Myers, Willa Glosser, and Deena Parson for labeling, collating, and mailing the Fall issue of Our Father’s Newsletter.

· To Bobbie Sease for helping Donna Lawson submit a grant proposal to the Miami County Community Foundation on behalf of Our Father’s Library.

· To our landlord, Phil Van Baalen, for replacing the front door. We also would like to thank him for his generosity in giving us free rent for the month of October. We’re anticipating a higher heating bill this winter, so this was a big help!

Peace

With eager heart and will on fire,
I fought to win my great desire.
“Peace shall be mine,” I said; but life
Grew bitter in the weary strife.

My soul was tired, and my pride
Was wounded deep: to Heaven I cried,
“God grant me peace or I must die;”
The dumb stars glittered no reply.

 Broken at last, I bowed my head,
Forgetting all myself, and said,
“Whatever comes, His will be done;”
And in that moment peace was won.

 —Henry Van Dyke