Guidelines for Establishing a Library Resource Center PDF  | Print |  E-mail
If you need books to supplement your current Bible school library, or your school is in need of a complete set of resources, please review the information below and contact our office to begin the process of placing a library project in your school. Meanwhile you can download our English, Spanish or French checklists to let us know what books you already have in your library.

LACLS can provide libraries in Spanish, French or English languages. We have comprised book lists for each language library. The content of each book is evaluated by theologians and educators in the Assemblies of God fellowship.

The cost for each library is raised by donations from churches, individuals, or the school desiring the books.

The library should occupy a significant place within the school’s philosophy of preparing ministers and leaders. The Bible school implementing the following policies and practices will greatly enhance their library program.

Provide LACLS a bibliography of books currently found in the library. Each school’s bibliography will contribute to the creation of a Latin America exhaustive database for the benefit of students doing research.

It is strongly suggested that the library be non-circulation, that is, no books shall be taken out of the library by students. The school should have established rules to discourage the practice of taking books out of the designated area, along with subscribed penalties for 1st and 2nd offences. The same would apply to book mutilation.

The library should follow the Dewey Decimal Classification or Library of Congress system, maintained via card catalog (or computer), for the students’ use, as well as have ownership stamped in each book. For those books already a part of the library’s current inventory, the LACLS office will offer its services in providing the appropriate classification numbers.

Each school is encouraged to take a yearly inventory of all books, and if possible, send a complimentary copy to the LACLS office. It is imperative to carry out the annual inventory to ensure against the loss of books.

There should be a designated area of adequate space for the library located on the school’s premises. At the same time, there must be a secure area with sufficient shelving for book storage. In addition, a typewriter or computer should be on hand, along with a file card holder (4x6) for cataloging the books.

Each library is encouraged to have one full or part-time librarian who has received ample orientation about the work.

Steps must be taken to encourage the school’s faculty to incorporate into each syllabus a minimum time required of each student to spend doing research in the library.