LIBRARIANS by Maria L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 14, 1878

LIBRARIANS

By Maria L. Huntley

The office of librarian has been regarded by many as one of not much importance or responsibility. This idea arises from too limited views of the missionary work, and an imperfect understanding of the duties of these officers. Those librarians who simply supply publications to members as they are called for, and transact such business as may come to them, take upon themselves but a small part of the labor which they should perform. It is impossible to specify all the duties of tract and missionary officers, and say thus much is required of them and no more. Christ has left us an example of a truly missionary life, and of his labors the sacred historian says: “There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” If the same spirit dwells in our hearts that dwelt in his, we shall be actuated to earnestness and diligence in the same work which engaged his attention. We also read that unless we have the spirit of Christ we are none of his.

Librarians have their field of labor assigned to them. The interests of the tract society work in their various localities is committed to their keeping, and God holds them as responsible for the faithful performance of the duties of their position as he does those in higher positions.

It is within their province to see that all within their various churches are properly supplied with our periodicals; that none remain away from meetings or the Sabbath-school from any cause that can be removed; to labor for the benefit of enterprises of general interest in securing pledges, etc., for the same; to keep the importance of the missionary work before the church, and especially to interest scattered members in it, and see that they are supplied with premiums and other publications, and to watch over the interests of the work with a jealous and unceasing care.

It is also important that all business transacted by the librarians should be properly reported and recorded. When this is imperfectly done, it occasions much perplexity and loss of time and means. In reporting business on periodicals, the following points should be mentioned: 1. The letters containing it should be numbered; 2. The addresses of persons to whom the periodicals are to be sent should be given in full, plainly written; 3. The letters should tell the price of each paper, and the time it is to be sent; 4. If premiums have been furnished, this should be stated; 5. The letters should tell how the business is to be charged. When money is paid or forwarded to the secretary, it should be accompanied with a written statement, specifying what part of the amount was received on membership, donations, one-third, sales, SIGNS OF TIMES, and the periodicals issued at the REVIEW AND HERALD Office.

Too much care cannot be taken to guard the tract society funds. Much of the means thus appropriated has been consecrated by the prayers and sacrificing spirit of the donors, and angels of God watch the appropriation of it. The business done by the society on periodicals should be kept distinct from other business by librarians and secretaries. This was one object of the periodical book. If properly kept, this book shows the value of periodicals ordered, and how much money has been paid for them by each church, on the librarian’s and district secretary’s books; and by each district, on the State secretary’s book. Thus each district secretary becomes responsible to the State secretary for all periodicals he has ordered, and each librarian to the district secretary. It therefore devolves upon the librarian to collect of individuals what is due on all periodicals he has ordered. If he fails to do this, and the books are not systematically kept, there will be a deficiency of periodical money, and no one can tell who is responsible. The deficiency even, may not be detected. The periodicals must be paid for at the publishing house; and money that has been donated to enable the society to send out our publications is appropriated to paying for periodicals that should have been paid for by the individuals receiving them, or by clubs or agents who, through thoughtlessness, neglect to do so.

These periodical accounts must be balanced every quarter. If correctly kept, the librarian’s account will agree with the district secretary’s; the district secretary’s with the State secretary’s, and the State secretary’s with that kept by the office of publication. Thus they prove each other. If mistakes occur, they can easily be detected by comparing accounts, which should be done every quarter.

Those unable to pay for periodicals should be assisted by the society. Frequently some can pay within a few months; such should have the papers immediately, and the society should wait until they can pay for them; but the officers of the society should understand the circumstances in such cases. Tract and missionary officers, above all others, should take, and read, our periodicals, especially the REVIEW; but we have been much surprised at not finding the names of many of the directors and librarians in some

Conferences on the list of subscribers at the Office. No one can be an intelligent laborer in the missionary cause without the REVIEW, and if these officers are unable to subscribe for it, the society would do well to furnish it to them at once. Some time since, a request appeared in the REVIEW to the officers of one of the State societies from the president, requiring an immediate response from them. From fourteen districts, only four directors responded. Evidently ten of these directors either did not take the REVIEW, or did not read it sufficiently to see the notice, or were too negligent to reply. The district secretaries and librarians were also silent. It is impossible for a tract society to prosper unless its officers co-operate, and are prompt and energetic in the work of the society.

The same principle applies in making out reports of missionary labor. If the librarians do not make out full reports, the district secretaries cannot. The State secretary is dependent upon the district secretaries for the report, and thus the imperfections of the librarian’s report are carried into all the reports. The blank report prepared for members should not be used by any of the T. and M. officers, as it does not mention all the particulars which should appear in their reports.

MARIA L. HUNTLEY, Sec. Gen. T. and M. S.