Almost all branch churches have to face, at one time or another, some soul-searching questions about their Reading Room: Why is our Reading Room here? Are we accomplishing our goals? Are we truly serving our community, or are we just existing? These moments of self-examination are often the precursor to progress—to the spiritual renewal and forward movement of a Reading Room that the challenges facing today 's world are demanding of us. It may take deep prayer and perseverance to bring those first yearnings for Reading Room renewal to fruition. But the results can't be overestimated. Out of a rekindling of love and gratitude for a Reading Room can come the kind of progressive steps that not only revitalize a branch church but bring practical blessings to the entire community. As an example, we present the following interview by contributing editor with , librarian of the downtown Reading Room of greater Atlanta, Georgia, for the past three years. It tells how one Reading Room overcame the belief of inactivity—and embraced progress.
Geraldine Schiering: We have a story to tell about progress in the jointly-maintained downtown Reading Room of greater Atlanta. Grace, when did the story begin?
Grace Young: About a year and a half ago. At that time this Reading Room was not showing much activity. We were questioning whether it should move, stay where it was, or even continue existing. This joint Reading Room is a very large investment, which branch churches fund in addition to their own Reading Rooms.
Schiering: How many churches contribute?
Young: Seven. The committee members from these churches reasoned deeply about our next step. Were we accomplishing what we should? Or were we keeping on just because we've always had a downtown Reading Room? It's always been a part of the network of Reading Rooms in the area. We work together, sending a visitor to another Reading Room if it has an item that we don't have. We like to direct visitors to the Reading Room closest to their home.
Schiering: I'm sure a significant factor in your reasoning was the change that was taking place in the downtown area itself at that time, with many businesses moving out. And I know everyone involved approached this issue through prayer.
Young: Yes, we were all praying diligently. As librarian, I had very deep feelings about maintaining a downtown Reading Room because this is where I found Christian Science. I know other church members who had the same experience. I have always felt that if this Reading Room had not been here, I might never have found Christian Science when I did.
Schiering: Would you say it was that kind of heartfelt gratitude for Christian Science that was the actual force that brought about the first steps of renewal for the Reading Room?
Young: Yes, definitely. Also, the questioning about whether this Reading Room should be funded had gone on for years, and we became convinced it was time to face this question once and for all through deep prayer. As we did so, there came a point when we all, the entire committee and staff, felt led to keep this Reading Room going. At the same time, we realized that we were going to have to stand firm for what prayer was impelling us to do, and that the Rightness of this action would be evidenced.
Schiering: What was your first step then?
Young: Making a decision on location. Should we leave downtown? Some of the big stores had moved out, and some banks were moving to a developing business center called "Uptown." We had been in a good location, but our space was very limited. We didn't receive clear direction until we heard of an empty space across the street. It is right on the corner with windows on two sides. We inquired about it, and the building management welcomed us as tenants.
Schiering: Did the project move right along, or was there resistance to overcome?
Young: There was a real need to inspire members' interest, determination, and action in order for this project to go forward. We had to persevere in our own prayers to overcome resistance.
Schiering: Would you say that cynicism needed to be overcome, perhaps a demoralized feeling that progress wasn't possible?
Young: Yes. There was quite a distance between the ongoing activities of those involved in running the downtown Reading Room and those in the outlying branch churches who loved Reading Rooms but who didn't realize firsthand what we hoped to achieve. So, in order to pull us all together, our committee decided to hold an open house. We cleaned and polished, circulated maps, and even provided vans to pick up people who needed transportation. The committee and staff also agreed to do more sharing at our individual churches about the value of this joint Reading Room.
Schiering: Did church members become more involved?
Young: Yes. Our open house was a real success. So many people were involved. So many people were praying. For many who came, it was their first visit. And they liked what they saw. Even people in the shops and offices around us stopped in just to say, "We hear you're moving. Where are you going?" They were happy about our progressive step.
Schiering: Now that you've been in your new location for a year, with renewed support from members, is the downtown Reading Room truly serving the community?
Young: Yes! We have visitors from many backgrounds. Homeless people come in, and they're sitting side by side with business people. Both Georgia State University and the Carter Center (which houses the presidential library and is used for international conferences and seminars) have sent in couriers for quantity purchases of certain issues of The Christian Science Monitor.
Once a man wanted a contribution for the Atlanta Union Mission, a place serving the homeless. We told him that while we were not in a position to give money, we were supporting his mission by welcoming the homeless at our Reading Room, where they could read, study, pray, and find answers that would help them overcome their condition. He was surprised. "The homeless are welcome here?" he asked. I assured him this was true.
Schiering: The gift of the Reading Room is unique because it offers a permanent resource for people in need.
Young: Yes. Sometimes people ask for a loan. We explain our policy that we don't give money, but then we always try to give them something that will bring lasting help. For example, as we talked with one man about the wonderful Bible accounts of God's care, we told him that he could expect an improvement in his situation. A change took place in his demeanor. Then he said: "I need to go and get cleaned up." That remark has been made before by some of the homeless after visiting our Reading Room. There is an atmosphere in the Reading Room, a feeling of peace, that they respect. What is happening for them, I feel, is a cleaning up in thought, making them feel better about themselves.
Schiering: How have you dealt with the issue of crime? This is a problem that exists in many cities.
Young: We have always had to be very clear spiritually about our safety and our purpose in the downtown area. With every step in our relocation, the Reading Room committee and librarians prayed for guidance on this issue, and all of us felt that downtown was where we needed to be. Through prayer and demonstration we have grown in our alertness, dominion, wisdom, and freedom.
In one" instance there was a man in the Reading Room supposedly listening to one of the cassette tapes. I felt something was not right, and I was praying. Suddenly he got up and started for the door. I looked back from where I was and saw that our tape player was walking out the door with him. The situation was nicely resolved, however, and we were able to get the tape player back.
Schiering: Tell us about your window displays.
Young: We work hard to make them inspirational. One of our window themes was prayer, which featured the first chapter in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, entitled "Prayer." So many people came in to inquire about that chapter. I have learned that whatever we use in the window, I had better have in stock for sale!
Schiering: Could you comment on the electronic message sign you have on one side of the building?
Young: When this idea was first presented, I thought it might be too commercial or tacky. But once I saw it, I felt the appearance was professional, dignified, and certainly it commands attention. We use it for a message of welcome to the Reading Room, or to announce the broadcast of the Bible Lesson on local cable television, or to announce an upcoming Christian Science lecture.
Schiering: How has computer technology worked for you in the Reading Room? Does it aid you in meeting the needs of visitors?
Young: I think the computer is one of the best things that has happened for Reading Room research. You can find instantly what you may have spent hours searching for in the past. For some time we have been equipped with a computer and the Concord program. As you know, this is a computerized concordance to the Bible, Mrs. Eddy's writings, including Science and Health, and the Christian Science Hymnal. Recently we also obtained a computerized index to the bound volumes of the periodicals. These programs give us quick access to the study of a subject. They allow us to provide visitors with immediate references on the topics they ask about.
Schiering: How would you summarize the fruitage from the renewal of your Reading Room?
Young: The number of visitors has almost tripled. And they are not coming in just to ask directions; they're seeking helpful ideas. Sales have at least doubled. On many occasions both attendants are talking with visitors, and other people are waiting for our attention. We have many visitors who are interested in Bible research material. We include Science and Health as a Bible reference book.
Schiering: That's wonderful. When you're looking for Bible commentary, or for instruction on a Biblical topic, it's natural to use Science and Health in that way.
Young: Also, we know now that we are in the best location. We are in the middle of an area that is being restored. Georgia State School of Music is moving into one of the old, run-down theaters that used to show adult movies, and it's renovating an old hotel into a dormitory. Soon the state will relocate a number of its offices to a former bank building in the vicinity of the Reading Room. All of this is coming about within the next year.
Schiering: This Reading Room that did not go out of existence—would you say its restoration has actually been an active force in ongoing city restoration?
Young: Yes. When I began working in the downtown Reading Room, I used to walk down the block, and all the stores were boarded up. There was trash everywhere. And I really love the city of Atlanta. I knew what it once was, and I believed in what the downtown area could be and would be again. Our entire Reading Room staff and committee knew that there would be restoration and that our prayerful work could help significantly.
Schiering: What has been the far-reaching effect of this Reading Room's progress?
Young: I think Christian Science has greater respect in the community—people come in freely. Even those who are not interested in studying Christian Science seem to have respect for the Reading Room. They are glad to have us present and visible in the community. And all this activity has brought an element of new vitality to the greater Atlanta branch churches.
Schiering: As a librarian, what would your message be to church members worldwide?
Young: That we need the support of each member. The Reading Room is a precious jewel. It is doing so much for the community. There have been occasions this past year when church members have come in just to see our progress firsthand. That encourages the Reading Room workers greatly.
Schiering: Through prayer, such progress can continue. We give mankind proof of our utility.
Young: Yes, all of us together.
