Austin Zen Center library is housed in the Annex at 704 W. 31st St., across the street to the north of the main AZC building. A small "staff picks" branch library is maintained in the dining room of the main building. Most of the titles are on Buddhist subjects, but we try also to make books available in related areas of Western psychology, philosopy, science, art, languages of Buddhist countries.
Policies.
Library Hours. Because of limits on staff and volunteers regular library hours are very limited. However there will be a key to the main door available in the main building, just ask one of the residents or priests.
Locating Resources. The library uses the Library of Congress indexing system. Some books have been assigned call numbers locally to suit our needs. An index of books by title and another by author, and soon a third by subject are to be found in binders on the center table of the library. We hope to put these indices on line soon.
Checking out books. Only AZC members may check out books.
- Most books are due in 30 days, after which time they can be renewed.
- Items in the Reference Section are for use in the library or classroom only.
- A book recall will prevent the renewal of a book.
- The procedure for checking out books is posted in the library. It involves filling out and filing the checkout card found in the book from the shelf.
- Books are returned to a basket available in the library. Please do not reshelve the book yourself, just drop it in the basket.
Volunteers Needed.
- Shelving returned books.
- Notifying people who fail to return books.
- Monitoring the library during open hours.
- Processing newly acquired books for shelving.
- Preparing a subject catalog.
Future Acquisitions.Most of our new acquisitions are donated. Our limited budget allows us to buy some new titles directly relevant to Soto Zen. We would like to increase our holdings in scriptural literature and other areas, and welcome new donations. In fact, we maintain a wish list of specific titles.
Book Reviews. Read a good book lately? If you would like to post a book review to the listserv for the benefit of all beings, please send it to the librarian.
