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Youngstown Diocese library offers many religious resources
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Myriad religious resources are available through the Diocese of Youngstown’s Office of Religious Education Library and Media Center.
Carla Hlavac, consultant at the library and media center, said the library has some 14,000 books, mostly Christian in nature. But, she added, there are some books on Judaism, Buddhism and Islam.
The collection includes Bibles, Bible studies, commentaries, scholarly works of theology and books on such topics as Jesus, Mary, saints, grief and self-help. “Many materials do reflect the Catholic perspective,” she said.
DVDs and VHS tapes feature animated Bible stories, seasonal videos for Advent and Lent, family spirituality, life issues, youth ministry, sacraments and adult faith formation. There are audio books, contemporary and classic music CDs, Bible-study resources, magazines and journals.
Hlavac said though the diocesan library has existed since the 1970s, it is not well-known. It is available to Catholics and religious educators in parishes in the six-county diocese. It also is open to people of other faiths. It is accessible in person or online at www.doylib.follettdestiny.com. Homebound patrons can receive materials by mail for a postage fee.
Hlavac pointed out the library is a valuable resource because its materials are free to use. For churches and faith-based schools on a budget, that’s good news.
“For Sunday school teachers, we have lesson plans and craft books,” she said. “For churches or organizations planning a retreat, there are prayer-session designs for adults and youths.”
Hlavac recently took the mobile “pop-up” library to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown. The focus was on books, videos and online resources “to experience a deeper Lenten spirituality,” the church bulletin noted. Hlavac said this was the first presentation at a church; others have been at schools and diocesan meetings. She presents a dozen programs annually.
Joan Lawson, director of faith formation at Immaculate Heart, said she knew about the diocesan library and wanted to share it with parishioners.
“Here, people can find a variety of materials to help them spiritually,” she said. “The presentation helped people understand what is available to them.”
She added that the materials have helped her “set up faith experiences.” The range of resources provides “ways to engage” people, Lawson said.
In the traveling library, Hlavac said she showed parish members what they could access to help them get more out of Lent. Among the books was “Lenten Pharmacy, Daily Healing Therapies” by Edward Hays. “It’s a personal favorite,” she said. “It’s easy to read, not scholarly, but creative in use of metaphors.” Hays centers on Jesus as “the healer.”
Hlavac said the majority of books are bought through various Catholic publishers; materials include research-level theological resources. “We get some books as donations,” she said, citing when priests retire, they often donate their book collections. The library has book collections of Bishop James Malone, Bishop Benedict Franzetta and the Rev. Philip Conley, the library’s founder.
Nonprint media is funded by the Knights of Columbus councils in the diocese.
Hlavac also developed www.CathechistCafe.weebly.com, an online resource that offers downloadable programs for Sunday school and crafts. It also showcases ideas for religious programs and videos.