Christian Scientists all over the world are thinking deeply about the role of Christian Science Reading Rooms, and especially about the relationship of the Reading Room to the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. There is a growing and earnest desire to understand more clearly the purpose of the Reading Room in the community and to explore further the potential for the ministering activity of this book in individual towns and cities. This devotion of thought is bearing fruit. Many Christian Science branch churches are finding fresh ways to reach the receptive hearts in their communities with that primary Reading Room product, Science and Health.
For just a moment, let's step back and see what impelled the appearance of Reading Rooms. These rooms began with a group of early workers in the Christian Science movement gathering together prayerfully. Perhaps they were listening for the right way to share the precious message of Science and Health with mankind. It must have been a meek and humble gathering. They shared a love of Science and Health and its message of hope and its promise of health and salvation. The active steps of gathering together and organizing an outreach into the community clearly illustrate their response of gratitude for the gift of Christian Science. Sharing followed naturally in the wake of their love for this book and the recognition of what its message meant to them and to the world.
General reading rooms were already in the public environment of the day. They could be found in hotels, clubs, and on ocean liners. They were also found as adjuncts to publishing houses. They were rooms offered to the public, a place to come in and see the books, pamphlets, and publications of that particular publishing house. Today, general public reading rooms are available as part of the Library of Congress in the United States.
