Library

Bear Creek UMC Library

Click here for History of BCUMC Library
Click here for KidZone Summer Reading Program

Mission statement: To maintain the library and its contents and to promote its use as a resource for church members and staff to help them grow spiritually and personally.

You can come into the library and browse the shelves which are organized using the Dewey Decimal System. You can also use our online catalog to search by subject, author, title or keyword. Just use this link: click here!

Patrons must have a BCUMC Library Registration card on file in order to check out books. Cards are available in the library.

The library is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday (except when the church office is closed) and Sunday morning. A self-checkout system is used with cards in the back of each book.

The Bear Creek UMC Library is donor-driven and relies on support from the church members. Books are often donated in memory or honor of someone special.

The library houses approximately 7,400 books and other media, including a large religion section, Christian fiction and children and juvenile books. More than 1,480 of these items were checked out in 2011. Inventory also includes a section of books purchased by the United Methodist Women for the UMW Reading Program.

In summer, the library sponsors two reading programs: one for toddlers through kindergarteners and another for first through sixth grade. Younger children enjoy a weekly story time. Reading incentive prizes are awarded to all ages. In 2011, 58 children participated in these programs.

The library thrives with its generous patrons, who donate to and use its services, as well as an enthusiastic volunteer committee, that works hard to fulfill its mission and looks for additional ways to serve the church. Volunteer opportunities are Thursdays and the second Saturday morning of each month.

History of BCUMC Library

In 1988 – eleven years after Bear Creek United Methodist Church opened its doors – member Val Reissig and other volunteers decided the church needed a library. Bookcases were added in the former choir room, books were donated, and a library was launched. During her term as librarian, Val added permanent bookshelves and two corner display cases.

Originally the library used a church classification system to organize items by subject with letter designations. By 1991, the number of books had grown to approximately 2,400. Janice Wood and Henry Van Dyke also became involved in setting up the library.

Thanks to Henry, the library became active in the Church and Synagogue Library Association – Houston Area Chapter. Henry was not only the librarian after Val moved, but also a presenter at CSLA–HAC meetings.

Following Henry’s death, Barbara Cochran became librarian. Barbara was able to procure more bookshelves and an office armoire for a workstation, which allowed continued growth. Barbara conducted the initial research and, at the time she left, recommended a conversion to the Dewey Decimal System.

Amber Woodman became the church librarian in 2003. She and her committee spent the first year converting to the Dewey Decimal System and creating a basic computerized inventory. Since that time, the library has gained more bookshelves and its catalogue has been moved into Concourse, a commercially available library software system.

Splash into Summer Reading
June 4, 11, 18
July 2, 9, 16, 23
Mondays 10:00-10:45am
Ages 1 year-Kindergarten

Splash into stories and songs during our story time for children ages 1 year through kindergarten. Check out books to read. Kids may log the books they read or have read to them to earn prizes. A sticker will be awarded for every 10 books read. (Two books out of every 10 must be checked out from the BCUMC Library.) Logs are turned in on Mondays at story time, Thursday 1:00-3:00 pm and Sundays between services. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Surf into Reading
June 4, 11, 18,
July 2, 9, 16, 23
Mondays 11:00am-Noon
Completed 1st-6th grade

Surf Club Readers will visit all types of books and learn how they relate to living a positive and moral life. Our club readers will participate in book discussions, as well as enjoy music and sharing with others. Each surfer will have a tracker to note the number of minutes they read each week. Each week, Surfers have 3 opportunities to turn in their minutes for prizes. (For every three hours read, one book must come from the BCUMC Library.) Trackers are turned in on Mondays at Surf Club time, Thursdays 1:00-3:00 pm and Sundays between church services.