Church Library Budget Planning

Financial support for a church library comes primarily from two sources:

• Church general budget
• Designated gifts to library from donors and overdue fines, if you desire to charge a minor fine.

A church library budget should be carefully planned, prepared and presented to the church finance committee, based on the needs for the operation of the library.

• Short-term and long-range budget planning is needed for furnishings, supplies, and equipment.
• Size of the congregation and services offered by the church library should be considered.

Suggested items to be included in a church library budget:

PRINT MEDIA:

Books, magazine subscriptions, pamphlets, etc.

AUDIO-VISUALS:

DVDs, CDs, computer software on CD-ROM, etc.

SUPPLIES:

Labels, cards, pockets, tape, etc. (Some of these items aren't needed if you use library software for checking out media.)

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS:

Poster boards, markers, artwork, stencils, etc.

STAFF TRAINING:

Funds to attend state and regional training sessions

FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT:

Desk, lamps, shelves, computer, printer, etc.

By being specific and justifying each need, the budget will help educate the finance committee and congregation as to the needs and activities of the church library.

Be a good steward of the church library funds by researching expenditures and keeping complete records.