Even though Arkansas doesn’t have a Catholic university, there is a place for clergy and laypeople to get access to free books and videos to strengthen their faith or aid them in teaching children and adults.
The diocese has operated the Resource Library at St. John Center in Little Rock since 2000. In the basement of Morris Hall, a part-time librarian spends her hours among her collection of angels, cataloging books and videos and mailing out requested items.
Teresa Hayden, a former teacher and religious educator for more than 30 years, is eager to tell Catholics about the ministry she oversees. She is surrounded by resources that would benefit religion teachers, directors of religious education, Christian initiation coordinators and even lay Catholics, but most of the books are never looked at and only a handful of people are checking out the videos.
“We really haven’t gotten out the fact that the library is here for other people,” she admits.
The 5,100-volume collection had its beginning in the Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation in the 1990s. The office bought videos for catechists around the state to use.
Around the same time, the Lay Ministry Office had a collection of books that were used by students studying through the Loyola Institute for Ministry extension program.
In 2000 all of the resources at the diocesan offices were merged into the Resource Library, under the guidance first of the Lay Ministry Office and later the chancellor for canonical affairs.
Because the library serves the entire state, the library started making its catalog available online in September 2006. Now users can get their own library card and search the online list of books and videos available. The search can be made by looking for the title, author’s name or subject.
The library can be access by visiting www.dolr.org/offices/resourcelibrary.php.
The “online library guide” takes users step by step on how to search and reserve a resource.
After the order is placed online, Hayden mails the items to any registered user, who is responsible for mailing back the materials within 21 days.
If a resource is not in high demand, the patron can recheck the book or video for another 21-day period.
“If they want to renew, they can call me and they can let me know,” Hayden said.
While is not necessary very often, a 25-cent fee is charged for each day the items are overdue.
Most resources fall into the category of adult and children’s religious education, sacramental preparation and lay ministry. Other topics include prayer, Scripture, parenting, liturgy, youth ministry and spirituality. Books are available in English with a few items in Latin. Videos are available in English and Spanish.
“We don’t have any children’s books, but we have lots of children’s videos,” she said.
Like other public libraries, the Resource Library does have an “on reserve” area, housing the oldest and most fragile books as well as history books from other dioceses. Occasionally she will pull out an older book and find flattened leaves, flowers and bookmarks.
According to Hayden, the library’s oldest book, “Progress of the Catholic Church in America and the World,” dates to 1857.
Hayden believes the library would be an excellent resource for people who need to do research on U.S. Catholic history or like to read spiritual writings. For example, the Resource Library has a series of books of the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letters since 1792. A 38-volume set of writings of early Church fathers also is available.
Catherine Claussen, a catechist at All Saints Church in Mount Ida, regularly checks out videos to use with the children’s parish religious education classes and will use videos during the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults classes this year.
Claussen, 81, said the videos were helpful when she taught children.
“We did it at the end of a school day and they were tired at the end of the day,” she said. “The videos would enhance my program. … Teresa is very good. She will help me with whatever I need.”
Hayden said she enjoys her job.
“It’s just being able to help people and provide them with materials to read and view,” she said. “This has been my life.”
Of her hopes, she said she wishes “it would be used by the Catholic people in Arkansas. I want them to know the library is available. … I would love to have more business.”
The Resource Library is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hayden can be reached at (501) 664-0340 or thayden@dolr.org.
