Bidding Farewell to Dorothea Boelitz-Baglio
Freshening Up the Library's Purpose: A Grandma's Tale
When asked about her favorite resource among all the books, learning kits, teachings plans, and materials, Dorothea Boelitz-Baglio, the library's heart and soul, promptly answers, "That's clearly our Luther, as he stands for education - just like I do." With a gleam in her eye, she pulls out a worn and dusty hand puppet from a corner shelf, a popular visitor during the Reformation anniversary in 2017.
In today's world, biblical stories and religious knowledge are readily available online. However, what lacks is creativity and the perfect pedagogical approach to pass down this wisdom to the right audience.
The Heart Beats for Consultation
Young teachers frequently seek her advice, often with the school consultant Beate Haude, on structuring lessons on specific topics. Over cups of coffee, they leaf through teaching plans, browse books, and scrutinize suitable tools like hand puppets, floor maps, or objects from the learning kits.
"Consultation is the lifeblood of this library," Dorothea shares. The joy this service has brought her during the fourteen years is immeasurable. She adds, "And of course, it allowed me to plunge myself deep into countless books and magazines, both professionally and personally, ensuring I grew alongside the students and my life."
From Hobby to Job
Reading - her pastime - led her to reinvent it as her profession. Dorothea Boelitz-Baglio, aged sixty-two, is not a librarian by training. She began her career as a nurse, later studying Romance languages and pedagogy in Hannover. When her husband landed a job as a pastor in Wuppertal, the family moved with their three children.
Her journey through the nursing school of the Bethesda Clinic and a hospice was tough on the family life, especially with the arrival of a fourth child. So, she sought other professional routes. Because of her involvement in the "Religion department" at her children's school, a teacher recommended the library position. Intrigued and passionate about education, she applied - and landed the job in June 2008. She then underwent a three-year training course to become "a church library expert."
Passing the Torch to Volunteers
"Applying for the library job was a decision I've never regretted," says Dorothea Boelitz-Baglio. For health reasons, she decided three years ago to scale down her responsibilities. Soon, her role will be filled by a team of retired teacher volunteers and the school consultant.
"What matters most is continuity," the employee emphasizes. "The media center serves as a knowledge hub that supports educators and church staff in conveying Christian values and knowledge in a clear and up-to-date manner." Despite retiring, Dorothea wants to continue contributing to education but initially only in a personal capacity. "I'm an enthusiastic grandmother, active in the community, who can tell children exciting biblical stories."
Navigating the Future with Digital Tools and Volunteer Support
The shift from paid staff to volunteer management in church libraries is a rare topic in discussions. However, as churches increasingly rely on digital tools and volunteers for administration and outreach, the library could benefit as well. This might involve online catalog systems, digital resources, and social media outreach.
By providing thorough training and ongoing support for volunteers, digitizing library resources, and encouraging community involvement, churches can maintain vibrant library services, even when staff shifts occur.
- Dorothea Boelitz-Baglio, with her passion for education and self-development, strongly believes in using the church library as a platform for personal growth, not only for the young teachers who seek her consultation but also for herself.
- As the church library moves towards embracing digital tools and volunteer support, Dorothea, even in her retirement, continues to seek ways to contribute to education-and-self-development, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring continuity in passing down Christian values and knowledge.
