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Records Management > Advice for Congregations
> Disposition of Records
© Edition current as of 2005. Region Four South Archives, Seguin,
Texas. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This order may be copied
for use in the congregation provided copyright is acknowledged.
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Regarding deteriorating Bibles and other
respected books
Archivists and librarians are frequently
called upon to accept old or unwanted books. These books are often
mildewed, yellowed, and malodorous, and may even harbor insects.
Procedure for handling respected publications
It is assumed that any books that might be suspected of being “rare
books” will have been evaluated by a qualified person prior to disposal.
Recyclers request that hard covers and any metal be removed and disposed
of separately. It is suggested that highly decorated or name-imprinted
hard or leather covers may make attractive family heirlooms and may be
candidates for framing. Bibles and other books regarded as sacred
by the owners may present questions pertaining to appropriate disposal.
The following is an order suggested for the dignified disposal of such
publications. While the order assumes a small gathering of family, the
order can be adapted for personal or congregational use.
An Order for the Disposal of Deteriorating
Bibles and Other Respected Publications
This order may be used when
disposing of respected print materials to add appropriate dignity to the
recycling of a loved one’s belongings. It is assumed that any books that
might be suspected of being “rare books” will have been evaluated by a
qualified person prior to disposal. Leader: Let us pray: We give thanks
to you, O Lord of Knowledge and Truth, that you have provided for us the
written word for our guidance and growth. While words written on paper
may decay, we ask that the Word made flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, may
always live in our hearts and minds. And may we seek guidance and
knowledge in the wonderful array of media that is provided for us in
today’s world. In the name of the Living Word, Jesus Christ, we pray.
Those Gathered: Amen Leader: We remember now the person(s) from whom
this/these (Bible, Bibles, book, books) have come. Those Gathered:
(Speak the name/names or remember in silence.) Leader: The pages
once read, now brittle and yellowing, are now returned for renewal. May
they make new paper on which truth, beauty, and joy may be known. Those
Gathered: Amen. It is suggested that the Leader or the appointee then
place the books in a box for deposit in a paper recycling bin. Recyclers
request that hard covers and any metal be removed and disposed of
separately. It is suggested that highly decorated or name-imprinted hard
or leather covers may make attractive family heirlooms and may be
candidates for framing.
For further information, please contact the
author:
The Rev. Luther W. Oelke
Region 4, South Archives
Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
1090 Oestrich Dr.
Seguin, Texas 78155
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