It is a modern paradox that the electronic revolution has not, as some predicted, heralded the 'paperless society'. It has only served to make books more popular. The permanency, portability and physical companionship of books will never be replaced by floppy disks and CD-ROMs.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of the Evangelical Library. Now more than 50 years old, the Library is in central London at 78a Chiltern Street, a couple of minutes' walk away from Baker Street tube station.
Starting from small beginnings, and developed largely through the vision of its founder, Geoffrey Williams, and the later support of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the Library now contains over 80,000 books and periodicals on all aspects of historic evangelicalism from the Reformation onwards.*
It is particularly rich in history and biography, commentaries and Christian doctrine, and in Puritan and related books. The stock is continually being updated. The day-to-day running and development of the Library depends not only on the hard work of the librarian, Steve Taylor, but on a loyal group of other workers, many of them unpaid and voluntary.
Browse and borrow
The Library exists to serve the Christian community and anyone else with an interest in evangelicalism, at several different levels. It is a place where members can come and browse, and select and borrow books.
Those away from London may borrow books by post. And it provides a research resource where anyone interested in evangelicalism may read and study. Over 1,000 members are kept in touch with the work through the half-yearly Bulletin.
From its beginning the Library has offered support to other libraries of a similar outlook in the UK and abroad, often in remote places. This missionary and evangelistic aspect of the work continues vigorously.
Updating
The Library is in the early stages of a programme of refurbishment, seeking to retain the characteristically quaint and bookish 'feel' of the premises while making the stock of books more accessible.
The long and laborious task of preparing a computer index for all the lending books has begun in earnest. E-mail and the Internet beckon.
So, while having precious resources from the past, the Library aims to serve the present. It is a unique Christian enterprise, a constant reminder of the theological and personal riches of historic evangelicalism.
It is not a museum or a mausoleum, but a living source of help for Christian understanding, living and preaching. It makes available to new generations the truths that have transformed and supported countless lives in the past.
The Library is a registered charity independent of any denomination or religious group, with both ministerial and lay trustees drawn from a variety of backgrounds, but dependent on subscriptions and charitable giving.
It is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 5.00 p.m. Membership is £25 a year, but £15 for students and those of reduced means. The Librarian welcomes enquiries from any who are interested in joining (0171 935 6997).
This year's Annual Lecture will be given on June 7 by the Rev. Melvin Tinker of St. John's Newland, Hull, on 'Evangelicals, evangelism and social action'.
Paul Helm
* The story was told by Iain Murray in the Annual Lecture given in 1995: 'Not a museum, but a living force'. Copies are available free from the Library.
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