Stories from the PCPC Children’s Library

Have you visited the PCPC Children’s Library lately? Contemporary, classic, and some hard-to-find book gems are awaiting you and your children, along with the most gracious librarian in town. “The PCPC Children’s Library is the best kept secret in all of Dallas,” said Mary Caroline Smartt, PCPC Member and mother of two young children. “We love it here. There are rare books that can no longer be found at the public library or cost hundreds of dollars online,” said Smartt.

PCPC’s Librarian Specialist, the affable 92-year-old Adair Gregory, greets visitors in the child-friendly atmosphere and helps them check out books that become meaningful to them. On any given weekday or Sunday morning, you’ll find Adair letting kids of all ages explore the collection of books, audio, and videos. There are books for young children who take books right off the shelves by themselves. There are books for junior and teenage readers (Christian fiction, history, and biography). There’s also a parenting section and a homeschooling section for adults.

The PCPC Library is a place of community. Never a “quiet library,” it’s a family place where parents stand around and visit, while kids go to their area. It’s a special place we treasure here at PCPC.

Why does PCPC have this Library, and what do members say about it? We sat down with PCPC’s Librarian and a few PCPC Members to find out.

How long has the PCPC Children’s Library been here?

“We started the church 35 years ago this June. I was a church receptionist at the time, and we started the Library two years afterwards,” said Ms. Gregory. Using a collection of donated books with the help of Melinda Matter and Emily Seay, the group created a computer catalog and wheeled around a book truck on Sunday mornings to the PCPC Sunday school hall, allowing children to check out books on the spot. Since that time, the Library’s collection has grown, and the Library has had a few different locations. Today, the Library is in a beautiful space near the Preschool Welcome Desk by the south entrance to the church.

What are some of the most frequently checked-out books?

“Some of our most popular books are seek and find books, Golden Books, and the read-aloud Bible story series by Ella Lindvall. We have a wonderful learning to read section. We also keep stock on classics for school reading like The Hardy Boys, The Boxcar Children, and The Bobbsey Twins. Even things that are way past their prime, so to speak, are recommended and enjoyed here at PCPC,” said Ms. Gregory.

How does the Library fit in with PCPC’s mission?

PCPC exists to extend the transforming presence of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in Dallas and to the world, and reading is an underlying part of that. “Reading is a foundational skill for our Christian formation,” said Matt Fray, Pastor of Christian Formation. “It is through written words that God has revealed Himself, calls us to faith, strengthens us, and equips us to extend the gospel of Jesus to our world. And in an age when our children’s lives are saturated with fast-paced visual media and marketing, it is all the more important to give our children the gift of being able to slow down to touch, read, and savor good books. Our Children’s Library is a beautiful and well-curated tool designed to help our children to love reading. And with a love for reading, we trust there will be a direct pathway to loving God’s Word and loving God Himself.”

What do PCPC Members say about the Children’s Library?

“My son Linus would stay in Ms. Adair’s Library for hours if he could. He also likes talking to Ms. Adair and sitting in her chair when she’s gone.” – Marshall May, PCPC Member

“I have loved volunteering in the Children’s Library for more than 30 years, beginning when my own children were young, and now watching my grandchildren enjoy it too...It brings me great joy to see that families are still seeking classic, time-tested literature for their family to enjoy.” – Kendall Waggoner, PCPC Member and Library Volunteer

”We are so thankful for Ms. Gregory’s help suggesting and locating titles for personal or school reading. We enter and exit church each week with arms full of books! The Children’s Library is a great blessing for our family.” – Amela Ericson, PCPC Member

Come check out the PCPC Children’s Library! The Library is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Self-checkout is available, and you can make returns on the red cart.

Also visit our Adult Library with over 10,000 volumes in stock. It is an excellent resource for church members, Sunday School teachers, pastors, and guests.

A special thank you to Adair Gregory, for her many years of service, and to our volunteers and patrons. For details on both Libraries, visit pcpc.org/about/pcpc-library-bookstore/.