Evangelical Library Launches Major Capital Appeal

The Evangelical Library has launched its first ever Capital Appeal aimed at raising £250,000 in an effort to protect its heritage, refurbish its facilities and develop new technologies. The ultimate aim however, is to reach far more Christians than ever before with its unique resource of over 80,000 evangelical books and periodicals.

The appeal is launched in the wake of news that the Library building itself requires a major repair to a structural wall at its central London premises and the urgent need to refurbish all of its facilities and services. The Library is also keen to revitalise the use of its unique resource by providing easy access for a whole new generation of Christians using the latest technologies, including the recent launch of much of its catalogue on-line through its new website (see www.evangelical-library.org.uk/cat/).

“Whilst restoring the Library as a key evangelical resource in our nation is our chief priority,” says Professor Paul Helm, chair of the Library trustees, “we are also facing the fact that decades of under investment in this wonderful resource has meant addressing some urgent needs as soon as possible”. He adds, “The Library has served the evangelical community faithfully for over 60 years – we are now asking those who recognise just what a marvellous and unique spiritual resource the Library in its own hour of need.”

The Library has also begun a pro-active campaign to introduce a new generation of evangelicals to its spiritual riches, including a leafleting programme through theological colleges. An advertising and leafleting campaign has also taken place throughout the summer, both here and in the USA. Forthcoming projects include the further development of its electronic on-line catalogue search facility, a new CD-rom catalogue complete with special digitalised documents owned by the Library – including handwritten commentary notes by Matthew Henry and letters by George Whitefield.

Paul Helm says, “Our aim is a simple one. It is to re-position the Library as an unrivalled evangelical spiritual resource in our nation – and one which is fully equipped to play a leading role in twenty-first century evangelicalism.”

Anybody wishing to know more about the Appeal or wishing to make a donation should can contact the Library on 020 7935 6997 or via this website (www.evangelical-library.org.uk/contact/).

ENDS

1. The Evangelical Library when it was founded in the 1930s was originally based on the private Puritan collection of Geoffrey Williams in the 1930s. Both he and co-founder Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones recognised the need for a national resource of the best of Protestant evangelical literature, much of which was in severe danger of being lost forever at the time. The Library today holds the best historic and contemporary evangelical literature available today, including well as many rare works.
   
   
2. For further information contact: Steve Taylor (Librarian), at the Library, on 020 7935 6997 or Peter Glover, Communications & Appeal Director, on 01206 230984.

NB. This release is also available in electronic RTF format on request.