Unity Libraries help fulfill the mission of Unity Church by providing  books, tools, service, and space for spiritual and theological deepening, lifelong learning, personal and family-based religious practice, and for greater understanding of the history of Unity Church and Unitarian-Universalist history. 

The Unity Library Team is a shared ministry run by a group of dedicated volunteers with the help of our staff liaison, Barbara Hubbard. The team is responsible for the purchase and cataloging of library materials, library service to the congregation, staff, and ministers, author events, Café Unity, operation of the Unity Bookstall, and the publication of the literary journal.

Location: The Anderson Adult Library collection and reading room are located on the second floor of the Elliot Wing. The Children’s Library is adjacent to the Anderson Library. The Bookstall and Bookmobile are conveniently located in the Parish Hall.

Hours: Unity Libraries are open Sundays after each service, and other times by arrangement. The Bookmobile is open following the morning services in the Parish Hall, several times each church year.  

Book Collection: The significant library collection include books, CDs, and DVDs that aid in spiritual growth, for a deeper understanding of one’s self and one’s role in the community, that further understanding of church programming and values, and that support the needs of the ministries. We make an effort to acquire titles that may not be readily available in local public libraries or bookstores, and that are of particular interest to Unitarian Universalists and Unity Church members.

Library Catalog: The Unity Library catalog is available online at LibraryThing:  http://www.librarything.com/catalog/UnityChurch
You can search the catalog from any computer with Internet access, or find the catalog on the computer in the Anderson Library.

Visit the Unity Church Profile page on LibraryThing to find other interesting library collections, Unity and local events, and more: http://www.librarything.com/profile/UnityChurch

Check Out: Checking out books from both the Adult and Children’s Library is self-service. The loan period is three weeks; you may renew library materials. While there are no fines for overdues, we ask that you return library materials on time. Borrowers with long overdue materials may receive a friendly reminder by phone or email.

Book Requests: Requests for books are always welcome—you can leave a note in the library or in the Library Team mailbox, or contact any Library Team leader. We try to honor as many book requests as budget and appropriateness for the collection allows. It can take up to three weeks for a book to be ready for check out.

Gifts: Gifts of books and monetary donations are always welcome, and will be added to the collection using the same standards for book selection as those purchased. Gift books not added to the collection will be used to benefit Unity Libraries, or other programs in Unity Church.

Bookstall: The Bookstall carries titles similar to those in the library, including books by Unity authors. You may purchase books at the Bookstall with cash, check or credit card. Please ask a volunteer to help with your purchase. Your purchases at the Bookstall help fund Unity Libraries, and are greatly appreciated.

Cairns: The Unity Church Journal of the Arts To learn more about the literary journal of Unity Church, please click here to visit our webpage

To Volunteer: The library team is in need of more volunteers! If you can spare an hour or two to help out once or twice a month, please contact us by e-mail, call the Church Office at 651-228-1456, or contact any member of the Library Team.

Questions? Contact the Library Team:

Anderson Library team leader: Louise Merriam

Whitman Children’s Library team leader: Shelley Butler

Bookstall team leader: TBD