PYM Library Special Services To Monthly Meetings

Book Lists: The Library has compiled over 100 Lists of books on specific topics which are of interest to Friends.  All of the books on the lists are held in our collection and available to be checked out.  To see the lists, click HERE. 

Book Exhibits: Meetings may request boxes of books, even multiple copies, for extended periods of time, on any subject needed. Many meetings request books and videos for First Day School terms. Some meetings ask their Representative to Interim Meeting to pick up and drop off the boxes regularly.

Audiovisuals, DVD’s, CD’s And Audio Cassettes: There are over 200 cassettes and CD’s, and over 150 videos, DVD’s, slide shows and films available. You can schedule to have videos sent to you for scheduled showings at your meeting for up to a year ahead.

Library Catalog: Accessible on the Internet. You can order items directly from the catalog records via e-mail to the librarian or order a box of books using the “book bag” feature. 

Bibliographies: There are over 100 booklists on various subjects available on-line. Lists of books on other subjects can be compiled upon request. 

Quaker Librarians' Listserv: A special listserv has been created to serve our monthly meeting librarians. If you are trying to bring the ministry of books to your meeting, you qualify to join this listserv as a meeting librarian. Special features of the listserv include links to Quaker electronic books, data bases and services on Internet. To request membership: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PYMLSG/

LibraryThing: An informal database on the Internet in which Monthly Meetings can list the books in their libraries. It is free for the first 200 books, and the cost is presently just $15 per year for up to 5000 entries. For more information see our Library Thing page or visit www.librarything.com.

Consultation Visits To Meeting Libraries: In depth consultation visits can be arranged to address personally the needs of your library.

Conferences: As interest is expressed, the library staff organizes a conference for the Monthly Meeting Librarians, usually having one every 3 or 4 years, and providing smaller library workshops at other PYM events in the other years.

Visits To PYM Library: You can schedule your FDS or library committee meeting in PYM Library to explore the library resources together. If you cannot come during regular library hours, it is possible to schedule an appointment to open the library for your group. Or, if you are meeting a Friend in Center City, the library is a great place to wait for each other, or to have tea and read the latest Quaker books and news.

Reference Questions: The library staff enjoy answering reference questions. Encourage your members to call in, or offer to call for them. Chel Avery at the Information Center also is prepared to answer many Quaker questions in depth. Her direct phone number is 215/241-7024.

Book Processing Supplies: Supplies can be ordered directly from Gaylord (1-800-272-3412) or DEMCO (1-800-356-1200). PYM Library keeps supplies on hand. If you want very small amounts, PYM Library can send them to you. Prices charged will be cost listed in latest catalog plus postage.

Free Books: The PYM Library keeps for monthly meetings a list of duplicate books which have been donated or discarded from the regular collection.