Emmaus Library & e-Resources
Opening Hours
| Day | Congregation | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | English | 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon |
| Chinese | 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please contact Elder Jason Lee if the Library is closed |
Monthly Books & Media Display and Loans
| Frequency | Last Sunday of the month |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon |
| Venue | Outside the Worship Hall |
| Objectives | – to highlight new titles added to the Library – to display a selection of titles from the Library’s Collection – to make it convenient for members to borrow library resources – to encourage and promote loans of resources. |
Loan Privileges
| Description | No. of Items | Duration | Fines if Overdue * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books/media | 4 | 21 days | $0.10 per day per item |
* Fines exclude Sundays and public holidays.
Philosophy
The Emmaus Library draws inspiration from the passage in Luke 24:13-35 when two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were at first confused, disappointed and without hope. They did not understand what had happened. Jesus came and walked with them. He listened to them and discussed with them. He offered explanation and interpretation of their experience from the perspective of the Scripture and God’s will. As a result, their eyes were opened and they finally saw God. Their hearts were rekindled with fire and passion for God and life. They went and told everyone what had happened to them.
The two believers’ experience resembles many of our own experiences in the present age. Life is a journey, full of uncertainty, crisis, confusion, and disappointment. Sometimes the future seems unclear. Doubts about God and life are not unusual. Like the two believers, we need someone to walk alongside us to help us to see life from the perspective of the Scripture and God’s will, to be aware of the presence of God and to discern the work of God in our lives. At other times, we simply want to know how to grow more intimately with Christ in our relationship with Him.
The resources in Emmaus Library are intended to guide you in your spiritual journey with God. They will guide you to see life from the perspective of the Scripture and God’s Will, so that your hearts may burn with passion to love God more fervently, to embrace your call more fully, and to participate in God’s mission more faithfully.
Accountability
To Elders Board – selection/review of suitable books, articles
To Deacons Board – budget, operations and maintenance
Emmaus Library Objectives
- Encourage members to draw close to God and hunger for God’s Word through books and media resources
- Provide a conducive environment for reading, research, listening to music, reflection for personal growth and renewal
- Provide a conducive environment for spiritual friendship with the Lord and others-in-Christ
- Support and promote resources for worship, word, pastoral care, evangelism, missions
Official opening
6 Jan 2008
Target Audience
Bethesda Chapel family
Location
The Emmaus Library is located next to the extension hall (Gethesemane). The entrance is on the left side of the building (facing the main road)
Facilities
Besides reading facilities, there is equipment to play music CDs and DVDs.
Resources
The collection currently comprises 1,348 titles of English books, 110 music CDs, 135 DVDs/VCD titles, 31 music scores and about 1,000 volumes of Chinese books.
English books are arranged by subject using the Dewey Decimal Classification system for browsing. Chinese books are arranged by accession numbers.
Catalogue
The Library is computerised with the Koha open-source Integrated Library System software. The Library’s Online Catalogue can be searched through the Bethesda Chapel website.
Book Reviews/Introduction
New additions to the Library are posted on the Bethesda Chapel website under New Books Arrival and Reviews. We welcome book reviews and articles by members.
Collection Development
- Members are free to recommend titles for Library’s consideration of purchase.
- BC staff are encouraged to purchase books relevant to their ministry, and add to the Library’s Collection after use.
- Members may also feedback to Diane or Caroline specific titles they would like to use if these are not in the Library’s collection.
Donations
We welcome donation of books/media which will help advance our church objectives. These need to be in good condition for circulation. We reserve the rights to give away titles which are already available in the collection, or where the contents is dated, or where the copy is in bad condition.
Book Reviews
If you have read a good book, we welcome you to submit book/media reviews. These will be published in NewsLine and posted on the Library website.
Library Etiquette
To ensure that the Library is quiet, comfortable and provide a conducive environment for study and reading, please observe the following etiquette:
- – Switch off/put handphone at silent mode
- – Speak softly at all times
- – Handle library materials with care
- – Safeguard your personal belongings
- – Keep the Library clean.
Loan from Other Libraries
You may check the catalogue of the library of interest over the Internet, then inform us of the titles of interest for us to arrange an interlibrary loan. You may like to check out the Singapore Bible College’s (SBC) catalogue and Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST)’s catalogue.
Online Resources You May Find Useful
Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST) external resources
Online Library of Brethren Writers
Emmaus Library Needs You
Do you have time to serve the Lord? We need members to serve as librarians to handle loan transactions and man the Library during its opening hours. Please contact Diane if you are available.
Emmaus Library Team
1. Yoong Yuen Soo
2. Diane Wong
3. Caroline Loh
4. Ho Mui Luan
5. Elaine Liew
6. James Ooi
7. Jason Lee (Chinese Assembly)
8. Chen Zhengyu(Chinese Assembly)