Jennifer Patterson is the librarian at Bishopdale College’s Bishop Sutton Library. I spoke with her to learn about her motivation and what she’s observed over the years in her role.
Jennifer: I had an inspirational English teacher who opened my eyes to the joy of seeking beauty and truth in literature. While I was at university studying English and History as majors, I took the sub majors of Biblical Studies and Theology. I found the latter two subjects very stimulating, and I developed a lifelong interest in reading and searching for spiritual truth.
As I loved literature, I chose a career working in libraries. I enjoyed working in a variety of different libraries including public and academic libraries in South Africa.
In 2011, I moved to Nelson and I wished to resume working in libraries. I prayed that if God wanted me to work for him, he would invite me to do so. In 2015 a door opened for me to work as a librarian at the Bishopdale College library.
Jennifer: The work is fulfilling and it is lovely to be able to use my skills to serve God. The working environment at Bishopdale College is very good and I enjoy working with the staff and students. It is also nice to meet members of the diocese and the public who visit the library.
Through the library it is great to support the education of the students and contribute to their academic success.
I take displays of library books to meditation mornings run by the Nelson Spiritual Growth Group. This is a good opportunity to meet people and promote the library service. It is lovely to see people mulling over the books and recommending books they have read to each other. One reader wrote to me and thanked me for bringing “such delights from the Bishopdale library”. She wrote: “You have richly blessed me in the words I read and delight in”.
I think the library can be missional in fostering spiritual growth and equipping people to better serve God. To be part of God’s mission is very satisfying for me.
Jennifer: The library collection is approaching 16,000 items. There is a wide array of material including theology, biblical studies, church history, biography, Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. Members of the library have access to all our resources and the resources of the John Kinder Theological Library. This includes books, eBooks and other digital resources.
A current challenge facing the library is the need for a larger space to house the growing library collection. Prayer for a solution for this would be appreciated.
Jennifer: Over the years I have done eleven Bishopdale College courses informally. These courses have given me insight into assisting the students with research and in selecting relevant material for the collection. It is good to chat about the courses and reading material with the students and give each other “aha” moments.
It is always great to see or read about former students and learn about the ministry they are called to after they have completed their studies at Bishopdale.
Jennifer: Mostly I enjoy reading books about Christian spirituality and formation. These include authors like C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Ruth Haley Barton and Joanna Collicutt.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Jennifer Patterson is the librarian at Bishopdale College’s Bishop Sutton Library. I spoke with her to learn about her motivation and what she’s observed over the years in her role.
Jennifer: I had an inspirational English teacher who opened my eyes to the joy of seeking beauty and truth in literature. While I was at university studying English and History as majors, I took the sub majors of Biblical Studies and Theology. I found the latter two subjects very stimulating, and I developed a lifelong interest in reading and searching for spiritual truth.
As I loved literature, I chose a career working in libraries. I enjoyed working in a variety of different libraries including public and academic libraries in South Africa.
In 2011, I moved to Nelson and I wished to resume working in libraries. I prayed that if God wanted me to work for him, he would invite me to do so. In 2015 a door opened for me to work as a librarian at the Bishopdale College library.
Jennifer: The work is fulfilling and it is lovely to be able to use my skills to serve God. The working environment at Bishopdale College is very good and I enjoy working with the staff and students. It is also nice to meet members of the diocese and the public who visit the library.
Through the library it is great to support the education of the students and contribute to their academic success.
I take displays of library books to meditation mornings run by the Nelson Spiritual Growth Group. This is a good opportunity to meet people and promote the library service. It is lovely to see people mulling over the books and recommending books they have read to each other. One reader wrote to me and thanked me for bringing “such delights from the Bishopdale library”. She wrote: “You have richly blessed me in the words I read and delight in”.
I think the library can be missional in fostering spiritual growth and equipping people to better serve God. To be part of God’s mission is very satisfying for me.
Jennifer: The library collection is approaching 16,000 items. There is a wide array of material including theology, biblical studies, church history, biography, Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. Members of the library have access to all our resources and the resources of the John Kinder Theological Library. This includes books, eBooks and other digital resources.
A current challenge facing the library is the need for a larger space to house the growing library collection. Prayer for a solution for this would be appreciated.
Jennifer: Over the years I have done eleven Bishopdale College courses informally. These courses have given me insight into assisting the students with research and in selecting relevant material for the collection. It is good to chat about the courses and reading material with the students and give each other “aha” moments.
It is always great to see or read about former students and learn about the ministry they are called to after they have completed their studies at Bishopdale.
Jennifer: Mostly I enjoy reading books about Christian spirituality and formation. These include authors like C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Ruth Haley Barton and Joanna Collicutt.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
