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ALL SAINTS RESOURCE LIBRARY
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A Valuable Place to Explore, Learn and Share
ritish writer and theologian C.S. capacity. Maria even personally delivered Lewis once said, “You can never items to patrons. get a cup of tea large enough or a book This library wouldn’t be possible long enough to suit me.” without the help of dedicated At the All Saints Resource Library, on volunteers. The St. Jerome Circle of the west side of our building, you won’t the All Saints Women’s Organization find tea but you will find plenty of books, include 41 volunteers and library along with CDs, DVDs, magazines, supporters responsible for the over 2000 and Blu-ray discs. You will also find the volunteer hours logged last fiscal year. person behind the library, Maria Isabel “It’s wonderful,” Maria says. “With Garcia, as well as many volunteers who the volunteers, we are a community.” are ready with a listening ear. Last year, 13,054 items were “If someone needs to talk, that’s circulated at the library via more what we are here for,” Maria says. “This than 1,300 patrons. The library is a place that helps them grow in their offers Catholic resources, as well faith and a welcoming place to come and as those from many religions and A father visits the library to read to talk about anything.” denominations, along with self-help, his daughter. Maria helped get the library history, biography, sociology, and started and worked as a volunteer — she’s been a part-time psychology resources, to name a few. staff member since 1985 — with a background in library There are also many events held at the library each science, having worked at the library at Southern Methodist year, including book clubs, education events, and book University until 2017. She has a bachelor’s degree in electric sales. Many of the 2020 events moved to a virtual setting, engineering and a master’s degree in library science. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maria looks forward to Our All Saints Resource Library started with just 200 welcoming more and more people back as the threat of the books donated from St. Rita Catholic Church in 1979 and has pandemic subsides. grown over the years to offer more than 18,000 books, Bibles, One of the many popular events is the Night At The magazines, Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs. There is even a special Library program at 6:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of the collection with rare items and Bibles from all over the world. month. Maria hopes to return to an in-person program soon. In addition, an archive area preserves items from All Saints For Maria, all of these years serving at the library like meeting minutes and media; all of the items are tracked have helped her grow in her faith. She’s thankful for the in a database at https://allsaintslibrary.follettdestiny.com. opportunity to help others grow in faith, too. Thankfully for the patrons, the library was able to stay “I am so thankful I have this venue to share my faith, open during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit with limited grow in faith and keep on learning,” she says. The library is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It’s also open Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Please contact Maria Isabel Garcia at 972-778-0327 or library@allsaintsdallas.org if you would like to volunteer or learn more about the library.
