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By the time Jim Stanford, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Sylacauga., Ala., retired last fall, he had built a library of more than 1,800 books on religion and ministry-related subjects.�� Because he had participated in activities sponsored by �鶹��Ƶ’s Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence (RCPE) over the past few years, he decided to donate his library to the RCPE.

���������������������� “It was his hope the books would continue to be used as resources for ministry,” said RCPE director Michael Wilson.�� Stanford’s collection arrived at Samford in 40 boxes, Wilson reported.

���������������������� “We welcomed the books,” he said, “but were faced with deciding how best to use each volume.”�� He enlisted the help of �鶹��Ƶ Library director Kim Herndon and theological librarian Mike Garrett.

���������������������� “This was a sizeable gift that provided some very useful material to further build out the divinity and theology collections,” said Herndon.

���������������������� Garrett selected a large number, “a few of which were rare treasures,” to include in the �鶹��Ƶ Library collection, said Wilson.

���������������������� The RCPE selected almost 200 volumes for a new resource office on campus used by rural and smaller church leaders and pastors on sabbatical leave, said Wilson.�� He delivered two boxes to the Pickens Baptist Association for use by an RCPE rural pastors group.

���������������������� Six boxes were shipped to a missionary school in India, according to Herndon.

���������������������� “In other words, Jim Stanford’s books grew feet and wings—and have landed all over,” said Wilson.�� “We thank him for his generosity.”

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